What's Out There: Home Economics

lost artI’ve been reading The Lost Art of Dress: The Women Who Once Made America Stylish by Linda Przybyszewski. In it, she talks about the beginning of Home Economics courses and departments in the land-grant state colleges which were created in 1862. The USDA got involved in 1914, and in 1917 there was an increase in federal funding for vocational education. There was a strong demand for sewing instruction, and how to dress well on a budget (among a variety of other topics, but sewing was extremely popular). These early professors published many books and pamphlets regarding how to dress well according to one’s individual figure, coloring, age and personality. Dress was based on art principles, not the moment’s fashion trends. The book’s timeline begins in the late 1800s and continues nearly through the present day as it was published just last year

needlecraft3I was probably one of the last of the kids to take Home Economics in high school (mid-1980s), and it’s been fascinating reading about how it all got started, what companies were involved, and how the college Home Economics programs were also a part of the county extension offices. As a kid in Arizona, I was a member of the 4-H Sewing and Cooking clubs. I hadn’t realized that there was such a direct connection between my early 4-H experiences and my later Junior High and High School Home Ec classes.

Coincidentally, at about the same time that I started reading the book, a friend gifted me with a stack of old Needlecraft Magazines dating from about 1917 to 1932. It’s been really fun to read about the women who were first able to have careers in the sciences and how various topics related to the home… and then page through a popular magazine of the same time period.

realsimpleIn the early 1900s, Home Economics courses and, indeed Needlecraft Magazine, exhorted women to be more efficient— saving time and money in various ways throughout their homes. Sound familiar? Except for the pictures, graphics and layout, how much different is that from the June 2015 issue of Real Simple Magazine? Both have helpful home tips to save time and money and quick recipes for a busy mom—and soap ads. And we think we’ve changed so much.

A 1904 publication states that Home Economics stands for “The simplicity in material surroundings which will most free the spirit for the more important and permanent interests of home and society.” In other words, simplify so that you can concentrate on what is most important to you.

This is an idea that people are currently rediscovering. Fast, cheap fashion hasn’t made us happier people. (Have you read Overdressed?) Suddenly, our closets are bulging—we don’t have anything to wear and buying the current ‘in’ thing is getting more than a little tiresome. This was exactly what the early Home Economists warned us about.

To deal with this problem, in steps Marie Kondo and her Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Everyone I talk to is “Kondo-ing” their house to “keep as little as possible and enjoy their lives more.” I’m sure all those people think that they’re very 2015 with their Japanese de-cluttering, but after reading The Lost Art of Dress, it looks like we’ve progressed all the way back to 1904 when excess was frowned upon and experiences and contributing to society were more important. Perhaps it’s time to bring Home Ec back to schools as well.

Happy sewing!
Leigh Wheeler
President

1 Response

  1. JacquelineVillnave says:

    Wonderful review Leigh! I, too, read the book The Lost Art of Dress. It was an eye-opener and made me a bit sad to think of all we’ve lost over the years. It also made me really appreciate my 88 year old mother in-law who has a 4 year college degree, with a major in home economics. She still cooks, sews, manages her home and finances, and keeps an active social life. At one time she even had her own fabric store. I’m sure her education in home economics was a big part of her success in life.

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