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40
Throughout the year 14 people have attended although each
week the attendance has been 4 or 5 persons approximately.
Attendance of the individual is somewhat erratic owing to illness,
school holidays, seasonal employment and forgetting which
day the class was in progress.
Most of the members live on the Waddon Estate, but there
have been occasional attendances from expectant mothers from
other areas who have heard about the class through Mothercraft
classes. These mothers like to come to cut out patterns and use
the sewing machine.
The majority of mothers attending the classes have had no
previous experience with sewing whatever and in most cases
sewing needles have had to be supplied to them in order that
some work may be done at home in preparation for the next
session.
The original object of the class was to encourage mothers to
make garments for children out of other discarded garments and
in this we have had a considerable amount of success, as the
following examples will show.
Mrs. A. who had never done any sewing before made a pleated
skirt and a pair of trousers for 2 year old twins out of an old
skirt of her own. She then made 2 cotton skirts for her 14 year
old daughter out of 2 discarded summer dresses. She then felt
more confident and bought a length of material and made a summer
dress for her 14 year old daughter. Mrs. A. has been unable to
attend since September owing to illness in the family, but hopes
to start again this year.
Mrs. 0. who had never done any needlework at all, came to
the class determined we would never teach her anything because
as she stated, she "had a low I.Q."; but she would come along
for a social afternoon. She started attending classes in September
and although she still needs a good deal of supervision
and guidance she has produced a skirt and cotton dress for a 4
year old, 2 petticoats for a 4 year old and a pelmet for her
window. Mrs. O. has been responsible for recruiting 2 new
members. One of these is experienced at making button holes as
she worked for a tailor many years ago, but has no idea of any
other aspect of needlework.
The sewing machine supplied by the Croydon Corporation has
proved to be very satisfactory and through various interested
individuals an iron and ironing board have been acquired as well
as various patterns and an assortment of garments and materials
to give new recruits a start.