St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-09-17
Story of a Roll of Pieces.
[By a Sewing Teacher.


young people conceived the idea OF gather
ing up a large roll OF pieces of various
kinds of cotton goods and sending to
sewing teacher in a mission school in the
| South. The teachers face frightened
when she saw them, for with her family
of almost one hundred children, large
and small and of various attalnments IN
the sewing line, it took a great deal OF
planning, thought and ingenuity to keep
each provided with pleasant profitable
work.
She saw in this roll wondrous posslblll-
ties, for there were large pieces OF dlmlty,
percale, lawn and gingham, smaller ones
of muslin, pique, denim, prints, etc. be-
side short lengths of finishing braid, en-
broidery lace and insertings. The roll
had been sent for patchwork, but many
and varied were the articles made from
the roll ere any patchwork was cut. 1t
might be well to explain here that the
sewing department was Obliged to be
self.supportiug as only the salary of the
teacher was paid by the mission board.
| All other expenses were met by the sale
of articles made in the sewing classes.
So the larger pieces OF dimity and lawn
were used for making some pretty little
shirt waists for some little girls who
were Just beginning to wear them. The
girls were delighted with the idea of
making them to their own measure.
They took a great deal OF pains with
them as this was the first shirt waist
any of them had made. Their mothers
were glad to buy them when they were
at last finished.
Some larger girls in lower grade
made small ruff1ed aprons OF the gingham
pieces which several of the teachers were
glad to buy that they might have speci-
mems of the girls work to show their
northern friends.
Some of the larger pieces of percale
made plain shirt waists for boys of three
or four years of age. These also found
ready sale.
Several pieces of bright material were
converted into dust bags and dust caps.
The caps were sold and the bags were
placed in the school rooms where they
were much appreciated by both teacher
and janitor, besides giving the girls an
idea which would be put in practice in
their homes.
The primary teacher had received
box of dolls from northern friends for the
Christmas tree, but did not know how
to get them dressed. Now, however, the
problem was solved, for the fourth grade
were delighted with the work OF dressing
them from the smaller bright pieces found
in the roll. The pieces of muslin fur
nished the under clothing and many were
the lessons taught in hemming, gather
ing, putting on bands, finishing seams
and even in making button holes, though
it all seemed only play to the interested
children.
The primary children had been work
ing faithfully and patiently tor several
weeks on patchwork and the teacher
thought they needed change of work,
so the girls were invited to bring their
dollies to school. After the teacher had
repaired the loose heads, arms, etc., each
little mamma was made happy by being
allowed to make her baby complete
outfit, including an empire sack and bon
net to match made of flannelette.
The boys meantime each made for
themselves a marble sack of the heavy
duck pieces, after which they made hold
SlS III Lie lduuuly Vi tue SAINT udtCTldlS
which were gratefully received by the
matron. They were quite anxious to
learn to make buttonhoes that the girls
might not be ahead of them in that, so
they buttonholed the holders around the
edge with coarse red cotton.
The pieces of finishing braid, en-
broidery and insertings were used for
teaching the girls the use of these things,
and pieces OF striped and checked gng-
hams furnished material for teaching
various kinds of patching, matching
stripes and checks.
Finally all the smaller pieces which
were of suitable material were used for
patchwork
Thus ends the true story of roll of
pieces, primarily intended for patchwork.
They served four-told purpose, namely
LIST. Furnished clothing for the poor
and needy.
2nd. Furnished many useful articles
for the h 1usehold.
3rd. Helped to pay the expenses OF
the sewing department.
4th. Taught the children many useful
lessons, both in sewing and economy
Vermont Missionary.