Home Economics in ninth grade pushed me a little harder. I had to make a two piece outfit with a collar, long sleeves, and cuffs with buttons. That meant lots of buttonholes since the blouse buttoned up the back. The skirt had to have pockets, a zipper,a set in waste band and a kick pleat. It taxed me. I ripped out at least half my stitches and redid them. Sewing a straight seam is harder than it looks. To make matters worse, the teacher assigned a home sewing project with the same specifications as the in class project due at the end of same grading period.
The home sewing project was a bigger challenge since I didn’t have the teacher casting her expert eye on every stitch I made. In theory, I would remember all the skills I’d learned in class and practice them on the home project. Sadly, I’d retained little. I struggled with every step. Of course, I didn’t get right on it, so my meagre skills diminished as each day passed. That project was a total misery, but I did finally get a barely acceptable product turned in. I was grateful for a c+ on it.
A couple of girls in the class turned in projects made by their mothers and got A s. I was so jealous!
I wore both those outfits till they wore out. After I struggled through that class, I had sufficient skills to start making my own clothes, though I still had a lot to learn.
Nutsrok 
well shared
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Ythank you.
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It’s so sad for today’s youth that the schools have removed home ec and wood shop. Those were the best classes.
Glad you did the assignments your self. Look at the life skills you have and you did it on your own.
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I am glad, too. My mother is scrupulously honest. She would not have sewn one stitch on my project. I always wonder at parents who do their kids work. What about learning and consequences?
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I agree. Let kids learn. How can they truly become proud of themselves and their accomplishments and failures. One can only learn from failing at new tasks. Failing gives us the tenacity to try again.
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Sure does.
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I think it is great that someone knows how to sew as I have said I do not
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That happened in our sewing class, too, where mothers did most or all the work for their kids. And, like you, I retained little from that class. lol I bet your clothes were lovely.
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After I settled down and really learned to sew, I did a great job. It took me a while to take instruction to heart. Friends used to give me their remnants and I made kids clothes. I dressed them beautifully for very little.
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That is lovely. I can only imagine how beautiful the childrens’ clothing was.
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They hey were so cute!
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You know the teachers had to recognize the difference in what was made at school and what showed up from home.
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I know! I guess they didn’t care as long as the project was done.
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Yeah. I would take a lot to confront moms.
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I sewed a lot when I was younger. In 7th grade home-ec we had to purchase fabric from a local store, cut it, and make an apron. I remember doing it in class, I remember little about other classes from that year. I think that must mean I was either out of my mind with stress or enjoyed it. I can’t remember which, lol. I sewed a lot of baby coveralls for my sons and cross-stitched the front bib area. I still have remembrances of those days in photographs.
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I would just love to see your photos. I really stretched our budget and bought a sewing machine when my second was tiny. I made everything the children and I wore for years. I even made Bud a few shirts and a jacket. That machine paid for itself a dozen times over. I quit sewing for the kids when they got old enough to insist on name brands.
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I made a lot back in the day too. Wrap around skirts that always blew half away in the wind. :) I also stopped at some point, and now and then get the urge to make something but usually just end up doing repairs….maybe this year.
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I think that sometimes too. I liked wraparound skirts but hated the flap blowing open.
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