Tuesday, May 26, 2009

School Girl Aprons

As you can see Elizabeth is drawing to the end. I am now in the saying. All I have to do is finish this and do the top border. Put my Grandmothers name on the bottom of the sampler and she is finished.

Last week I paid a visit to my Dad and he gave me a bag with a few things that my Mum had kept. In it there were a couple of things that I completely forgot about and I thought that I would show you.
I went to school in Sydney during the late 1950's and 60's. While I was in Primary School we had to make a few things. The idea was to teach us to sew and to make some practical things.
The first thing I remember making was on a piece of Huckaback and it had all this needle weaving on it. I have it, but I can't find it at the moment. I had forgotten that we had to make ourselves these aprons. We had to make them completely from scratch and then to decorate them. We learnt how to hem and also a few embroidery stitches.One of these is mine and the other is my Sisters. Unfortunately I can't remember who made which.

I also made a napkin. Could this be my first cross stitch. I also remember that we had to make ourselves a pair of shorty PJ's. We learnt how to do all different seams e.g. French Seams. Unfortunately I don't have these lol. These were made when I was around 9 to 11.

I also have a small tea cloth that I made when I was in High School. I think I was about 14 or 15 at the time. This is where I learnt how to do counted cross stitch. I will go searching for it and show you one day.
Thankfully the rain has gone for a little while. It is lovely to see the sun.



11 comments:

Christine said...

your sampler is so beautiful !

Kathy A. said...

Elizabeth is one stunning piece and you have done such a wonderful job.
I'm sure you will feel a loss then you finish her after all the intricate detail you put into her.
What lovely memories from just a few scraps of fabric. Isn't it amazing how something we learned so young has become so important to us later on.

Margaret said...

Oh you're almost done!!! It's so gorgeous! I love the pieces from your school days. What fun!

Deb said...

Your sampler is just so gorgeous. I drool over it every time you make a blog update. And how cool to have those things that you sewed when you were younger.

Mylene said...

You sure made a great progress on your sampler.
Lovely pieces from your early school days.

Siobhán said...

Elizabeth is coming along so nicely. You'll be happy dancing in no time! :)

I loved seeing the photos of your school work. :) I know I have a few things that I embroidered with my grandmother's help and wish I remembered where I'd put them. Lots of fun memories!

The Scarlett House said...

Your post reminded me of my first experience with sewing and embroidery in school. We had to take Home Ec. starting in 7th grade. One semester was cooking, (which I hated), and the next was sewing (which I loved). We had to make aprons, too. Ours were made out of gingham material. We embroidered crosses in the alternate squares to make a design. It's hard to explain, but I was hooked. I've had a needle in my hand ever since.

Cindy F. said...

Elizabeth is such an amazing piece!!
Your school pieces are so fun and you and sis did beautiful work on them!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

I am amazed everytime I see this sampler. I am holding my breath in anticipation of your grand finish. Love the aprons - how fun!!

Judy S. said...

This is really pretty...also fun to see your stitching history.

Deb said...

Elizabeth...how you're going to miss her! Won't she be awesome framed and oooo upon!? :]