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At one time the sewing
classes at Chilocco Indian School were more than just training for the
girls. They were actually a needed service for the school. The uniforms the
girls wore were turned out by the Home Economic classes. This factory type
production of garments allowed the young woman to become a fine seamstress
when she returned to her family and then later on with her own children. The
beautiful regalia of the Ponca people which is built on stylish ribbon work
designs down the front of the dress and around the bottom on the skirt is
achieved easily when my mother uses her sewing skills she learned at
Chilocco.
Mother remembers
learning to sew the dresses that would become the girl's uniforms. They also
made the capes to go over the dresses. The upper class women created
embroidered work for use on the table clothes and linens. Other skills she
learned were: flat fell seams, the kind used to sew blue jeans today,
binding, cutting and sewing bias tape strips, button holes, bound button
holes for coats, cutting skirt patterns on the bias and cutting of patterns
for garments.
When I was in sewing
class our teacher, Ms. Ross, had the project of teaching us to make a wool
garment. Mother had to buy the material and bring it from home. The fabric
was a soft, delicate weight and I was able to sew it up into an attractive
dress. I wore it for many years. In fact when it finally showed signs of
wear on the arms I took the fabric, cut a dress pattern out of it for my
girl and sewed that up.
Ms. Ross was beginning
to show her age. She was a lady who had grey hair. Whether her walk was
caused from the heavy, square heeled shoe or from her age wasn't known. The
longer dresses she wore were well fitted and attractive. If her shoes were a
bit out of style it wasn't that noticeable. It seemed she may have had a
touch of arthritis. It didn't dampen her spirits if she did. Still, she had
held her good figure. The woman was always cheerful, patient and willing to
help the girls do their best. Somehow her easy-going manner was contagious
and we always enjoyed classes with her. The other class she taught was
practice-cottage and the children's nursery class. But that is another
story. |
