The Demise of Home Ec

Is there such a thing as "home ec" in our schools today or did that domestic training  go by the wayside?

Home economics, for those who don't know, was a class that was offered to young ladies in the 60's and 70's, to prepare them to be wives and mothers.  At least, that's the spiel I gave my folks when trying to talk them into letting me take the class.  Really, it was a "filler" for those who weren't motivated to take a third year of Spanish...or Biology... or phys ed.   That would be ME!   Oh, who was I kidding?  It sounded like a fun and easy grade!

I remember the classroom like it was yesterday.  Autumn gold appliances lined the room and state of the art (for their day) sewing machines were in the middle of the classroom.  This was going to be great!

First up was the sewing part of the course and one of our first assignments was to make a skirt.  I remember going shopping for fabric with my Mom and I found what I thought looked very "Bobbie Brooke-ish".  A sharp plaid...  We found a pattern and I was all set!  How hard was this going to be?  If you've read my other posts, you know I don't like directions and that's what patterns are...directions.  And I guess I thought I was some kind of designer, like Vera Wang or something.. I didn't need any help.  "I've got this..."

Well, I can't even describe how shoddy this skirt turned out!  No one told me plaids had to match up on the sides, that zippers were extremely difficult to insert and hemming  took precision.   My Mom, an accomplished seamstress (she made my wedding gown) must have been so disappointed in me.

 Our teacher announced that we were going to have a style show to model our wares.    I begged for and was given a second chance.  Now, my Mom wasn't about to invest any more money on my sewing so we went to her fabric box, in search of a remnant.  We found one - not to my liking but what could I say?  I'd ruined a beautiful piece of fabric already.   This remnant was olive green, with these chennille-like tufts, almost like upholstery material.  When I voiced my displeasure, there was no discussion...only Mom's offer to help me with this one.

This second attempt was at least a little more presentable than the first.  Not the Bobbie Brooke-look I was going for but, at least, recognizable as a skirt!   I don't remember who the audience even WAS for our "style show"...maybe students from the other classes.  I don't know.  I just know it was a long walk down that short runway...  Lesson learned?  If you don't want to parade around, in front of your peers, looking like a sofa, quit being a screw-off, pay attention and follow directions!

I'm pretty sure that,  if home ec is no longer a high school elective, sorry performances, like mine, may have been a contributing factor to its demise.  Sure, today's young women can learn to sew---probably just by going on-line-- but they'll miss out on the memories, the lessons and the laughs I got out of home ec.