In the last fifty years, clothes have become more and more of a throw-away item. Nowadays, our clothes do not last us more than a couple of seasons, even if they are not yet worn-out, we get tired of them and discard them.

In the past, all articles of clothing and linen were a precious possession. Women devoted much time to their care in order to make them last a long time. Young girls learned needlework skills, which would be very useful once they were married and had children. When they grew up, they applied themselves to their trousseau: a modest or sizeable supply of articles of clothing and linen that would meet their needs for many years once they were married.

Women made some garments themselves, others were ordered from specialized seamstresses. There were women who specialized in making bonnets and washing them. All the clothes were well taken care of and tidily stored away. However, not everyone had much clothing. In needy families, clothes were endlessly repaired and mended. But well-to-do people also mended their ordinary clothes: repairing one’s clothes was not a disgrace, walking around with holes in them was.

Many pieces of clothing were reused. A washed out fichu could serve as lining for something new and small leftovers of some nice cloth were assembled to make a baby jacket.

See all the items listed under:

Plain and fancy needlework

Making and altering

Washing and airing

Folding and storing away

Making and washing bonnets