When my mother was in school, they called it "domestic science." It was "home economics" when I was there.
I got to high school at the end of 7th grade. Home Ec had been going strong all year, and the girls (and it was girls only) had made white bib aprons with their names embroidered on the bib in red. I had missed that part.
In the 8th grade, cooking was the first part of the year. Guess what? If you didn't wear a white bib apron with your name embroidered on the bib in red, you got five points off your cooking score. My apron from home with the pansies on it just didn't make the grade. Add that to having a partner who was just as nervous and inept as I was, and, you guessed it--I flunked cooking.
I thought I might do better at sewing, as I started out well. We were to make ourselves outfits, all from the same simple pattern. There was a blouse with no collar or buttonholes or zippers, and a gathered skirt. I did well at blouse. I wore that blouse for years. But skirt was a problem, as Mom decided, in her infinite wisdom, that I didn't need a skirt, and refused permission and fabric for me to participate. The teacher stepped in and provided some fabric, and we started in. At that time, we were allowed to take projects home and work on them. Bad idea. At home, Mom made me unpick everything I had done at school and redo it her way. At school, the teacher made me unpick everything I had done at home and do it her way. Needless to say, I was soon far behind the rest of the class. I'm not sure I ever finished that dratted skirt, but I do remember one thing.
I failed Home-Ec.
Oh, I used to love sewing at school, Ronni!
ReplyDeleteIt was called Housecraft when I was at school. Huh, I wish it had included house-cleaning tips. I hate housework!
My first sewing project was a shirt-dress, which I wore for years. It was at least 2 sizes too big when I made it.
I gave up sewing because I couldn't stand the mess. You definitely need a separate room if you are going to sew.
Do you know...I think I failed too, Ronni. My teacher couldn't stand me.
ReplyDeleteI was afraid to ask her questions, therefore, I just kept making mistakes.
I was terrified of her, and I think she must have smelled the fear. LOL
Mrs van Rooyen. I will never forget her name.
How funny, Mgt! I tried the separate room thing, and it didn't work for me at all. I want to be sewing near my family. If that means that machine work has to wait until everyone has gone to bed, oh well.
ReplyDeleteAh, sewing. My mother was a wonderful seamstress and I missed the gene somehow.
ReplyDeleteIn 8th grade my project was a sleeveless chemise. I was cutting out the pattern and Mom went outside for something and told me to wait until she returned. Of course I didn't and I cut the darts out. OMG she was so upset with me but she was able to fix it.
I don't think I have tried sewing since.