Tell us what you think!

Comment by Gena on November 1, 2009 at 8:49am

Home-Ec isn't offered here. I learned from my Grandmother and Mother how to sew. My grandmother is dead but had the finest stitches. Mother's are fine also. Mine are in need of help! I could use another home-ec class!

Comment by Linda on October 28, 2009 at 9:12am

I'm teaching my students ages 3-6 years old how to sew. They love it and can sew buttons better than most adults I know!

Comment by Bonnie on October 27, 2009 at 11:09am

I had 3 yrs of Home Ec in high school --in the early 60's . I got my basics in sewing but did alot on my own or with a little help from my mother . She, and all my aunts and both grandmothers, were accomplished seamtresses. My grandmother taught me hand worked button holes at age 10.
I lovedHome Ec and wish today's kids had the chance to learn all the things I did,especially sewing and basics of home decorating. Unfortunately, our education system doesn't have a clue about producing 'well -rounded individuals' any more.

Comment by Dotty Rae on October 26, 2009 at 8:42pm

As a former Home Economics teacher I can relate to this thread. I taught middle school kids the basics of sewing, cooking, budgeting, babysitting, laundry, etc. The students were with me for 50 minutes five days a week for 9 weeks before moving on to another Exploratory class. Not a lot of opportunities in such a short period of time! Because of No Child Left Behind and other requirements for graduation many of the classes including physical education and art and music have been curtailed or eliminated.

Comment by christine on October 26, 2009 at 2:40pm

I took home ec. classes in jr. high and high school back in the 70's and 80's. The classes they teach now a days are nothing that we learned. My son took the classes they have now(3 years ago) and he said he learned nothing, everything he learned was from me. I'm glad I was able to teach him these skills at home, because of him being on his own now he see's how valuable these things are......he still calls and asked if we are making boxers for his birthday and christmas and ae we going to can more spagetti sauce for him in the next few weeks he only He doesn't trust himself using a pressure canner...ha, ha!!! He just wants to watch mom do it! We need to teach or kids at home also, not only in schools. I think sewing will always be an art that not all people will know.....just like glass blowing. But, I'm more than happy to sit with my 10 yr. old step -daughter and teach her and the neighbor kids...they loe making their own scarfs, hats and ect.....and I love teaching them this art!!!!

Comment by sue in ne on October 26, 2009 at 2:12pm

IT isn't so lost. Home Ec is now Family Living or Independent Living ; focusing on budgeting, child care, & relationships, as well as cooking and sewing. My DD took the Cooking classes in High school, about 4 yrs ago, while I volunteered for the sewing classes- 1 student who designed her own patterns and guys who sewed PJs, so popular at the time; was a good group. Even the local sewing store I frequent has introductory classes for children and beginner classes for adults. They don't leave the customer hanging. The County and State Fairs have judging on clothing and quilts- some are amazing. The local sewing store owner suggested they are busy because money is tight and people want to do it themselves rather than pay others to do it. Local high Schools have sergers, even!!!

Comment by Patti Medaris Culea on October 26, 2009 at 12:47pm

Fortunately, several schools here in the San Diego area still offer Home Economics classes in sewing and cooking. Our daughters both took the classes and graduated in the 90's. I checked several of the high school websites and found these classes are still being taught. Thank goodness!.

Comment by Sewshesaid on October 26, 2009 at 12:09pm

One of the few places left for kids to learn sewing is an occasional sewing machine dealer or 4-H. Im a club mgr. and project leader for Clothing and Textiles. Our main problem is meeting locations. Seems like w/ the size of city I live in there would be more opportunitys to teach free classes and to serve the community. Spoke w/ some high school girls over weekend and they had no idea that 4H offered sewing classes. If the word was spread more I think that intrest would peak.

Comment by Kathleen on October 26, 2009 at 11:00am

"The lost generations," I call them. As a Home Economist, I am now using my teaching/sewing skill teaching the basic beginning and intermediate skills to a whole generation of 20/30 somethings, and retired people who "want to learn" or have "sewn a little" years ago. I am so proud to be able to pass on this skill in a highly motivated environment!

Comment by L Hutch on October 26, 2009 at 10:25am

I learned to sew in 4-H at age 14. Now my ASG chapter (Rio Grande Valley, TX) is trying to connect with the local 4-H to help promote sewing among the younger generation. In the Valley, we do not even have a Joanne's. The closest one is 3 hr away in Corpus Christie. And Wal Mart has less and less of the $1 fabric the kids might be able to afford.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page