The Daily Gate City And Constitution Democrat

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 1920

HANDIWORK OF PUPILS SHOWN

Manual Training and Domestic Science Departments of Keokuk Schools Have Unusually Good Exhibits.

VARIETY IS DISPLAYED

From Dressing Tables to Collar Boxes in Manual Training and From Fluffy to Practical in Sewing Rooms.

One of the most interesting exhibits both in the variety and workmanship was that held yesterday in the manual training and domestic science department of the Keokuk public schools, in the manual training building. In the sewing department there was displayed everything from the fluffy to the practical. Organdie afternoon frocks, gingham dresses for every day and pretty little aprons were all on display, and all were made by girls in the classes.

In the manual training department there was everything one could ask for in the way of useful and artistic bits of furniture. From dressing tables and tea wagons to ornate candlesticks, library lamps and collar boxes, individual tastes and execution were shown. The exhibit was really the most varied one that has ever been given and delighted the visitors. The entire exhibit in both departments showed that there is something to education besides the three "r's." and that the handiwork of the pupils has an important niche in the general training of young men and women.

R. L. Wilson and Orrin E. Hawley are the manual training instructors and Miss Cora I. Wilson and Miss Mabel C. Brown are the domestic science instructors. To them must go the credit for the splendid results achieved.

Dressing Table and Collar Box.

The manual training exhibit was made in the shops down stairs. In the drafting room there were samples of the drawings made during the year. These included both mechanical and architectural drawings. In the shops proper were the products of the year. One of the largest pieces attempted was a dressing table. This was made with the three panel mirrors and had a distinctly professional touch. On the table were grouped a pair of candlesticks and a number of purely masculine dresser accoutrements, such as collar boxes and the like. One of the collar boxes was quite cleverly made, with an inside box for buttons.

Reading lamps on turned pedestals were displayed advantageously, and the lamps were really marvels of workmanship. There were smoking cabinets, ash trays and complete sets for one's den. A victrola record cabinet was made by one of the students and a piano bench and library table were the products of the year's work of two other students. One of the boys made a cedar chest.

Another of the large pieces of work were the tea wagons which were displayed. One of these was made with leaves on either side and could be converted into a table. The entire exhibit in this department will be put into one of the down town store windows next week.

Ready to Wear Garments.

An elaborate display of ready-to-wear garments were to be seen in the sewing room of the domestic science building yesterday at the exhibition held there of the work done by the high school and grammar school girls in that department.

The walls were literally lined with pretty clothes and lingerie occupied large amount of surface space on tables. The majority of the work was done by the first year sewing pupils, and among their contributions were gingham dresses, white dresses, summer blouses and "middies." Some of the garments were old ones made over, others were fashioned without patterns.

Two masterpieces of art were on exhibit which showed the results of a two years' training course in sewing. A satin dress, an elite style and attractively made which cost the owner a little over twenty dollars was one of them. Another frock of pink organdie, the very 'nth degree in summery fashions was shown.

Florence Linquist, a senior, was the owner and maker of the frocks.

The Grammar school work was displayed in a separate room, and the same accurate and painstaking results was shown by the articles made by these pupils as those in the high school. A great many of their articles consisted of handwork.

Samples of the different kinds of machine stitching were among those present.

Theory is Emphasized.

Miss Wilson, the director, has also laid special emphasis this year on the theory side of this art in addition to the practical and as a result, each pupil has kept a notebook with information in them in regard to the different kinds of fibres, cotton, woolens, silk and linens. The various machine attachments, how to use them and what they are for also are kept in the notebook.

The high school girls under the direction of their supervisor have kept an account of their personal clothes budgets for this year, and have made a typical budget for high school girls in connection with this.

A dinner table correctly set and attractively decorated was another feature of the exhibit. Tea and wafers were served during the afternoon to the guests by members of the sewing classes.