Exercise No. 39—An Underskirt.
Materials: Pupils will furnish their own material for an underskirt for themselves. The patterns which their mothers use can be secured from the home, or one pattern used by all the members of the class. These skirts may be made plain or trimmed with tucked ruffles of cloth or with embroidery, depending upon the wishes of the mothers, the skill and taste of the individuals and the material furnished. Should there be difficulty in securing material for the garment, a small model on the half-inch scale or one of the electives can be substituted. Insist that the work be well done, neatly finished and first class throughout. Use sewing machines when available.
Points to emphasize in the making of a skirt:
1. Cut a correct pattern before beginning the skirt. Do not trust to making corrections when cutting out.
2. Baste the straight edge of one gore to the bias edge of another when making a gored skirt. This prevents the sagging which would occur if two bias edges were sewed together.
3. Allow plenty in hem and tucks for letting down when making garments for growing girls.
Exercise No. 40—Textile Fibers and Fabrics—Flax.
Under the heading "Textile Fibers and Fabrics," [page 94], will be found subject matter which can be used in correlation with the geography, language and history work. The sixth grade subject is Flax. Make a collection of the flax products, fabrics, etc. A class set of compositions, each member of the class taking different subdivisions of the subject, would make an interesting collection which could be put together in a simple binding done by members of the class.
See "Paper and Cardboard Construction," [page 101].