20 Things 1950s Girls Made in Home Ec That Adults Buy Ready-Made Today

Comments · 96

• CE

  @ceciliajaggard1976 · 16 hours ago

  I did not take sewing in high school. I later changed my major to Vocational Home Economics and had to learn sewing starting on the college level. I had a brilliant teacher and I think she liked taking a beginner because she could shape me in how to sew her way. For my senior college product I had to make a coat, lined and interfaced three different ways, etc.  Anyway, I did a good job that I was proud of and wore the code as long as I fit into it. And now it’s tucked away in a seated chest someplace. I’m still proud of what I learned doing that project.  I also learned that you didn’t have to call home made sewing projects “homemade.”  You described them as “custom made” dresses, coats, shirts, curtains, etc.,if put to the test.

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• HE

  @Hecteacher · 19 hours ago

  I was a Home Economics teacher for 35 years. I started sewing at age 11. I taught from 1973 until 2009, teaching both boys and girls. Topics we covered were cooking, nutrition, sewing, budgeting, credit and completing an income tax form.

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• LI

  @LindsayShort-pc1wc · 4 days ago

  Unfortunately, most of those basic ingredients are expensive now. Fabric can be $8-$22 a yard. Even before factoring in time, most store ready goods are cheaper that making something by scratch. However, there are ways around it, like if you have a neighbor with an apple tree giving out apples for free or buying old sheets from a thrift store for fabric.

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• LU

  @luannkalinoski6548 · 4 days ago

  I've done many of these and know how to do others but don't have time to do them - most people have no idea how to make anything from scratch - I'm now 70 and was taught by my mom born 1927

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• AC

  @acadianjr · 3 days ago

  Back in the 70's my girlfriend and I made maxi skirts when they first came out. Because we sewed them in home ec. we were the first girls to wear them. Our history teacher made us model them in front of the class. Needless to say we were silly models!

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• MS

  @MsSnowMiser · 3 days ago

  Dotted Swiss curtains were a sign of spring in my Granny's homes. I remember them well from when I was a girl in the 1970s and 1980s. Sometimes they even sewed decorative ricrac along the edges. The fabric was so pretty.

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• KA

  @karengrove6987 · 2 days ago

  Homemade ice cream is the best

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• NE

  @nerys723 · 4 days ago

  In 1960s between age 8 and 12 in elementary school us girls learn to crochet a potholder , cross stitch of a small sampler , sew and embroider a summer bag , hand sew a cotton skirt and knitting of a soft toy. The boys had separate classes of wood working , small repairs , etc.<br>Later as adult I learn via books more skills. And with internet added many other useful skills. And recent return to hand sewing , the first skirt hand sew at age 10. Home cook daily still at 66 and some home baking now in autumn. Earlier this month made green tomato chutney because tomatoes never ripened due to erratic weather in EU.

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• CH

  @cholman4248 · 41 minutes ago

  I took home ec in 1970, junior high, and we did one semester of sewing, and one of cooking. That sewing has taken me thru wedding dresses, home decor and clothes my whole adult life. The cooking...I am told I am a wonderful cook and I still use the peanut butter cookie recipe from that class!

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• CE

  @celinefederici6951 · 15 hours ago

  I grew up in the 50&apos;s. &nbsp;My mother taught me how to do hand sewing...a button, a hem and how to use my grandmother&apos;s refurbished Singer sewing machine. I also took sewing lessons and made a dress. My neighbors taught the young girls of 6and 7 hold to crochet. I still remember both though my skills have not improved. &nbsp;In my life, &nbsp;I think I have only bought about 3 bottles of salad dressings and I have &nbsp;salad everyday. I often make easy flatbreads or scallion pancakes. I have always used cloth napkins since the 70&apos;s and honestly never bought paper lunch or dinner napkins...only small cocktail ones. &nbsp;I still wash, line dry and iron these cotton or lined napkins and dishtowels. &nbsp;Not &nbsp;a baker, &nbsp;I occasionally make a fruit galette. Homemade always tastes better and I am a healthy 80 yr old since I have always made homemade meals and brought my lunch to work. &nbsp;Looking forward to continuing and trying some you mentioned.

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• GU

  @GunnH74 · 4 days ago (edited)

  I&apos;m norwegian, but it was the same here. My mom( born in 32) made almost everything herself as long as her health allowed it. We have lost so many skills on the way... As I am getting older I have picked up some of the skills myself, like making jam, baking pai and making homemade cakes.

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• TE

  @texasgranniecrochet-d5o · 1 hour ago

  I&apos;m crocheting me some curtains at this point in time!

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