Sewing Classes Scrapbooks

This collection consists of three scrapbooks created by the Home Economic Department of the Newark Schools:

One scrapbook includes materials relating to sewing classes sponsored by the Newark Board of Education from 1912 through 1922. The volume includes patterns and instructions for embroidery; samples of fabric and embroidery thread; and lists of schools, teachers, classes taught, and items sewed.

A scrapbook, entitled "Sewing Exhibit, Vol. II" contains samples of students' work including a model shirtwaist, and examples of embroidery stitches, gathers, fringing, ruffles, and more utilitarian work. The names and ages (13-16) of the students are cited for each item; the scrapbook also includes two photographs of girls, in a classroom, sewing.

The third scrapbook in the collection consists of printed material including patterns and illustrations of embroidery work and knitting. Inserted in the volume is a list of proposed salaries for teachers, principals, and other school personnel by categories including number of years, number of classes, type of school, and by gender (1917). In every instance the women make less than the men, usually 25% less.