Handicraft Lessons in Schools

Dear users, dear authors,
How are handicraft lessons in schools actually going right now?

It’s a joke and such a shame for the schools, because—at least here—there are practically no needlework classes left in schools anymore; there’s still a little bit in elementary school, but that’s about it.
OK, for me, needlework class back in my day was pure torture—I hated it so much that when we had class in the afternoon, I asked my brother to bring over Charly, the little white mouse we had, and I let the mouse run around the classroom. Oh, it was such a sight to see our teacher jump up on her desk and scream her head off. OK; I got a reprimand and detention because of it, but to ME it was worth it :-))))))) This experience is still a topic of conversation today when we have class reunions, and we still laugh heartily about it just like we did back then.
For me, needlework only became interesting when we started machine sewing—that was actually fun.

Best, Inge

I have no idea what it’s like today, but in my day it was a disaster. In elementary school, it was still okay—we learned to crochet pot holders, which was standard, but not too bad.
In high school, we did sewing and embroidery, but only practical, “housewife-y” things like pillowcases, aprons with and without bibs, and so on—which isn’t exactly a lot of fun for an 11-year-old. If they’d let us make doll clothes, it probably would have been more fun.
The instruction was also pretty basic, but my mom, who sews, showed me everything that school didn’t cover.

I only know what it’s like today from what I’ve heard. Most people I know say that needlework is no longer taught—there are often just after-school clubs.

To go back to “my day” (I started school in 1997), we made pom-pom animals, wove rugs, and learned to crochet—though just chain stitches and single crochet.
I loved it.
My woven rug still adorns the floor of the dollhouse that my great-grandfather built, carved, and crafted for my sister and me when we were kids—with the most loving attention to detail (Leo was actually playing with it just this past weekend :))—and we crocheted seals in elementary school. That was, of course, super cool, and I still remember that I made not one, but three seals, and that I didn’t cut the flippers out of foam rubber as instructed, but instead “designed” and crocheted them myself. The flippers were, of course, totally crooked and lopsided because I didn’t know how to crochet in rounds properly and had to improvise, but I still got top marks :)

I’m getting sidetracked!
I really enjoyed my needlework classes, and I wish children still learned that today! 

When exactly was the needlework class removed from the curriculum? I think it’s a shame,
but for kids these days—with all the focus on iPhones and iPads—none of that is in demand anymore.
My granddaughter (17 years old) got a knitting book from her other grandma: she tried it and
couldn’t figure it out… that was it. What a shame.

We still have handicrafts classes here, at least for the first four years of school for everyone (half a year of technical crafts and half a year of textile crafts). The fourth graders are currently working hard on knitting—all knit stitches—and in the end, they’ll turn that rectangle into a kitten, an owl, a penguin… and they’re learning how to use a sewing machine. I don’t know what it’s like in middle and high school, except that the girls in the upper grades sewed some really great evening gowns for the prom. Back in the day, there was also a wonderful fashion show, and I was amazed at the fantastic things the teens (including boys) had sewn.
Back in my day, we had to sew and knit rather boring things, using materials that older women had picked out for us (pink or light blue flannel with white polka dots for pajamas—which, after the first wash, would still fit a toddler!—and baby pink for a baby cardigan). The highlight was the XXL-sized jersey underpants—which, thankfully, I was spared thanks to my Latin classes!

When I was in school (I started in 1969), we crocheted and knitted pot holders, embroidered pictures, and did knotting. Later on, we also sewed aprons, headscarves, and pot holders for cooking class. I learned how to crochet doll clothes, knit sweaters, and sew clothes from my mother.
My goddaughter is 14 years old and has never had proper needlework classes. There are extracurricular groups for this, but they don’t take place due to a lack of participants.
She’s very interested in everything I do, so I’ve already been able to teach her quite a bit. And thanks to the many great patterns here on CP, we’re both having even more fun.
When I look at my long wishlist, I’m looking forward to my retirement in a few years.
Then I’ll hopefully be able to “work through” it—even though it’s still growing. Plus, I’ll have even more time for joint projects with my goddaughter :-)
Love, Marina 

I started school around the same time as Marina. We, too, still had two hours of handicrafts on our schedule: crocheting, knitting, embroidery, and sewing. I’d give my finished projects to relatives as gifts. I remember a crocheted teddy bear, pot holders, and an embroidered tear-off calendar—my grandma had that hanging in her kitchen.

  When it came to sewing, I’d cut into the fabric while cutting out the pieces—all the time—and my mom had to save it. It was a nightmare for me.

My grandson is now in third grade, and so far they’ve just been doing arts and crafts. I hope he’ll be introduced to crocheting, knitting, and sewing at school and that he’ll enjoy it. Then we could explore it further at home. 

I think people don’t really learn that anymore because, with today’s industry, it’s simply no longer “necessary.”
You can get everything ready-made in stores for next to nothing.
“Back in the day,” many families had to make things themselves, or it simply made more financial sense; today, you don’t save anything by doing it yourself.
Let’s be honest: crafts are more of a hobby these days, and there aren’t any school subjects for hobbies—instead, there are extracurricular clubs, or the topic might be briefly touched upon in class. 

When my oldest daughter was in 7th grade and had to choose between needlework and woodshop, she chose woodshop. She was the only girl in the woodshop class, and the best part was that she showed all the boys how it’s done. I should mention that her father was a carpenter and cabinetmaker, and he taught her quite a bit from a very early age because she was interested in it. My youngest, on the other hand, was very interested in needlework, and when she sewed an apron with ruffles, I had to go to school and set the needlework teacher straight, because she’d given my daughter a 6, claiming that she could never have sewn that apron herself since her older sister was already doing an apprenticeship as a seamstress at the time—just like I was as a retraining student. But the girl had shown so much interest back then that we said, “Sit down here—we’ll show you how it’s done.” So we taught her tips and tricks that you didn’t learn in class, and that was a thorn in the teacher’s side. She only backed down when I threatened to go to the school board and report her for unfair grading just because the girl had a talent for and interest in sewing. I did end up going to the school principal, though, because unfortunately the whole situation escalated to the point where I had to go there; after that, she backed down, and my daughter was placed under stricter supervision in that subject from then on. But that only spurred my daughter on to get even better :-)
The following year, she switched to a secondary school, and there, needlework wasn’t an issue anymore anyway.
One of my grandsons also learned to sew from me because he wanted to—he was 7 years old at the time. They had needlework at school, too, and he once said to me, “Man, the teacher sure makes sewing complicated.” I told her that, and now Mom has to go to school because I was supposedly being sassy :-)

Best regards, Inge

Best regards, Inge

Yeah, those stupid aprons. I’d even embroidered mine all around with a witch’s stitch, but instead of praise from the teacher, I just got the comment that my mom must have done it.
My mom went to the school and even spoke to the principal about it—and she was proven right—but it didn’t help anymore; my enthusiasm was completely gone.
My brother had nothing but competent teachers during his school years—most of them were even really great—but I was unlucky: all the educational failures and psychopaths seemed to gather at my school; it really wasn’t easy. At some point, my mother became notorious as a fury, but of course, she couldn’t fix everything.

Oh, that’s really motivating for the students! As soon as someone is really good at something, they’re accused of cheating. Great! That’s how you raise a generation of demotivated people.

Here in Lower Austria, students in the 3rd and 4th grades of elementary school alternate between a semester of handicrafts and a semester of technical arts.
In middle school, they explore a wide range of (artistic) crafts—from knitting, crocheting, and sewing to woodworking and pottery... There’s really a lot covered. The advantage is that the students get to try their hand at so many different crafts. The downside is obvious, though: it’s just a taste, and they don’t really master any of them. 

Right now, I’m working with a crafts teacher from our local middle school on a concept for workshops in felting and spinning, where I’ll show the students what raw wool looks like straight from the sheep. We’ll wash and comb it together, and then process the wool further through felting, spinning, and possibly even weaving. I’m really looking forward to it ;-)

Hi there

I started school in 1974. From second grade on, we had a subject called Nadelspiel.
I thought it was great. And on Sundays I crocheted with Grandma.

We had no forum, no cell phone, no internet, no Uncle Google... nothing.
Hooray, we’re still alive.

Joking aside. What I find alarming is that there’s hardly anyone left who wants to learn it. At least not at school.

My husband is a custodian at an elementary school and a secondary school.
We also know the principal of the secondary school personally. She asked me if I’d be interested in running a club, teaching girls and maybe boys how to crochet.


I was excited, nervous, and so on.
I packed yarn and hooks.
It was supposed to start at 2 p.m. I waited for an hour. Nothing.
One week later... I waited another hour. No one came.

Even though, according to the principal, there was interest.

Well, now I don’t go to the school anymore. Too bad. But unfortunately you can’t force anyone to do it. And making it a subject is hardly possible either, with the teacher shortage.


Days later, we heard some reasons why no one came.

For example:
- I’d make a fool of myself.
- Not on my own.
- Then we’ll get teased.
- At 2 p.m. I can already be sitting at the PS.
- etc., etc., etc.

In general, you have to say that none of the clubs are taken up by the kids.
At least not here. Too bad.

Best regards, sinas-haekelwiese

I think back with horror to my handicrafts classes in elementary school (started school in 1973) and in high school. Crocheting pot holders in 2nd grade, crocheting a turtle (with a granny square, which is back in style now 😂...), and knitting a crocodile. Okay, that was fine. But in high school, my enthusiasm for the sewing machine was ruined once and for all… hours of practicing without thread on paper, then an apron, pot holders (bias tape, yuck!!!)… I still won’t touch a sewing machine to this day. Then the final straw: a picture made of fabric appliqués, sewn on by hand using blanket stitch! I really struggled with that so-called “textile design” class. I’d always wanted to take craft/woodwork class, but back then that wasn’t possible because I was a girl. The fact that I later found joy in handicrafts at all is almost a miracle to me, and I have only my friends from college to thank for it. My cousin, who’s the same age as me, on the other hand, had so much fun learning to knit—he still does it today. My boys didn’t enjoy the class much. Despite everything, I think the class is important, if only as a balance to the academic subjects. There shouldn’t be any grades, and children should be able to discover their creativity. That would have been my dream.

Last year, our oldest grandson (13) surprised the whole family with pencil cases he sewed himself. He had learned how to make them at school and set to work at home with great enthusiasm and the utmost care. Everyone was thrilled with the gift. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have time for it this year: his trial semester at the high school (which includes Latin) is very demanding.