Embedded Files
Page 26 from Dianne Alderton's sewing book, showing a curved hem sample completed in 5th Class, 1965. The pink fabric is cotton Cesarine.Collection number 2019-001
About the object
About the object
Dianne Alderton's 3rd to 6th Class sewing book
Dianne Alderton's 3rd to 6th Class sewing book
This page is from Dianne Alderton's sewing book. Dianne used this book from 3rd Class in 1963 through to 6th Class in 1966. She attended North Ryde Public School.
Her book includes lists of sewing equipment and fabric, instructions on sewing techniques, stitched needlework samples, notes and half yearly and yearly tests.
The sample on this page is a hand-stitched curved hem. It was completed in 5th Class in 1965. Dianne was marked 14 out of 20 for her work.
Dianne's stitched sample has:
long yellow tacking stitches that hold the folded hem in place
pink hemming stitches
zigzag edges, cut with serrated scissors called 'pinking shears'. The zig-zag edge minimised fraying.
Having all the lessons and samples in the one book from Grades 3 to 6 meant the book became a ready reference for sewing techniques and fabric types. It could be used for reference when making garments later in life.
Needlework was taught to girls at primary school as a skill to make and repair clothes. Boys were taught manual crafts such as cardboard modelling and woodwork and also made functional items.
All girls in all NSW public schools followed the same sewing course, as prescribed in the syllabus. This work was prescribed in the 1952 Curriculum for Primary Schools.
The first items made in 3rd Grade were a needle book and pin cushion.
Significance
Significance
This is one of several sewing books in our collection, all very similar.
The sewing book provides evidence of:
the sewing techniques girls learnt at school
an example of the standard of work expected of students
consistency in learning across NSW as our sewing books, from different students and schools, all show the same samples and techniques.
Object details
Object details
Date – 1963 to 1966
Creator – Dianne Alderton, 3rd to 6th Class
Place – Sydney, NSW
Materials – paper, fabric, thread
Dimensions – 21.5cm x 16cm
Look closer
Look closer
Page 6 from Dianne Alderton's sewing book, introducing threads, 3rd Class, 1963.
Page 38 from Dianne Alderton's sewing book, showing a French seam completed in 5th Class, 1965.
Page 41 from Dianne Alderton's sewing book, showing decorative herringbone stitch on gingham fabric, completed in 6th Class, 1966.
Think and wonder
Think and wonder
See
See
What do you notice first in the sewing book pages?
Find a small and interesting detail on a page. Is it repeated?
What do you notice that you didn’t expect?
Think
Think
What can you learn from examining the sewing book pages?
Why do you think Dianne kept her sewing book for so many years?
What equipment would students need for sewing lessons?
Why were separate sewing and manual craft lessons for girls and boys discontinued?
Wonder
Wonder
What questions does the sewing book raise?
What else would you like to know about it?
Do
Do
Examine the hem of a piece of clothing you wear.
Compare the stitching to Dianne's hand-stitching.
How it is similar and different to the hand-stitched hem in Dianne's book?
What machine stitched the hem of your clothing?
Where was your item of clothing made?
If you have fabric, scissors. pins, thread and a needle available, try following the 1965 instructions for making a sample curved hem.
Explore and connect
Explore and connect
Sewing BooksYouTube | NSW Schoolhouse Museum of Public Education (1:58min) | Video transcript | Alternate video link
Sewing Books video
Sewing Books video
View the YouTube video to learn more about sewing books and sewing lessons of the 1960s.
What is similar about each book?
What evidence-based inferences can you make about sewing books of this period?
Needle book and draw-string bag made by Beth Buesnell at Sydney Teacher's College, late 1950s.
Beth Buesnell's sewing samples, late 1950s
Beth Buesnell's sewing samples, late 1950s
This embroidered needle case and draw-string bag were made by teacher Beth Buesnell when she was a trainee teacher at Sydney Teacher's College in the late 1950s.
The open book underneath the samples has illustrations of both items. It is the 1952 Curriculum for Primary Schools. This section prescribes the needlework instruction for girls in 3rd to 6th Class.
What do you notice about Beth's stitching?
Treadle Singer sewing machine, circa 1920. A sewing basket is on the left.
Singer sewing machine, circa 1920
Singer sewing machine, circa 1920
This is a manual sewing machine. It is a treadle sewing machine and operates by moving a wide foot pedal up and down. The sewing machine can fold down into the base and a timber flap covers the hole, making a table.
Primary aged girls learnt to operate sewing machines as part of their sewing lessons. As electric sewing machines were invented, they replaced the manual machines in schools.
In needlework lessons from 5th Class, girls made garments such as pyjamas and frocks.
What might be kept in the drawers on each side of the cabinet?
Needlework sampler, 1896
Needlework sampler, 1896
This needlework sampler was made by Jane Lowe at Hillmont Public School in 1896. Her sister, Mary, made an almost identical sampler. The girls were probably in 3rd Class.
It is called a 'sampler' as it includes a sample of a variety of embroidery stitches and sewing techniques.
Needlework in NSW schools
Needlework in NSW schools
Girls were taught needlework in NSW schools through the 1800s to the late 1970s.
For Aboriginal students in Aboriginal schools, there was a focus on domestic and manual skills, denying them the opportunity of a comprehensive education available to non-Aboriginal students.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands of people using this site. Is, always was, always will be – Aboriginal land.
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