In grade 9, home economics was a required program for girls. The sewing teacher gave us a choice of patterns for a jumper and told us to buy a length of hopsacking. I bought a pattern for a drop-waisted jumper with a circle mini-skirt and a length of brown corduroy that was not suitable for the pattern.
There were 24 girls in the class. We shared the 6 sewing machines, the 6 tables, the 6 ironing boards and irons.Most of the class was spent waiting for a turn to use something. I didn't get a chance to lay out my pattern at school so I took it home. The suggested layout didn't work with a fabric with a wale so I brought it all back to class and the teacher did the layout for me.
I had access to a sewing machine at home so I did most of the sewing there and just sat and chatted during class time. The project was progressing well until I got to the zipper. We were supposed to do a lapped application. I followed the instructions carefully, removed the basting and sighed. I ripped it all out and did it again. And again. And again. I accidentally tore the back seam allowance with my seam ripper. I showed my teacher who sighed and put the zipper in for me. She did a great job. I don't remember my mark on the course. I wonder if it was higher because the teacher did such a good job or lower because the teacher did the job. No matter, I wore that jumper until it was threadbare from washing.
Barbie followed the instructions, bought an appropriate piece of hopsacking and made this. All by herself.
