1915 Woman's Institute Laces, Silks & Linens | Original Sewing & Textile Course Book No. 6

Overview

This is an original 1915 correspondence course lesson from the Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences, one of America's best-known home study schools for sewing and dressmaking during the early twentieth century.

Written by Mary Brooks Picken, these lessons taught practical sewing skills along with a thorough understanding of fabrics, garment construction, and dressmaking techniques. Today they are valued by collectors, textile historians, costume designers, and vintage sewing enthusiasts.

Topics Covered

• Introduction to lace types
• Kinds of lace and their uses
• Examples of traditional lace
• Care and preservation of lace
• Silk production
• Selecting silk fabrics
• Reference table of silk fabrics
• Linen fibers and materials
• Reference table of linen fabrics

Edition Details

• Course Number: 6
• Title: Laces, Silks and Linens
• Edition: 1915 (First Edition)
• Original Copyright: 1915
• Publisher: Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
• Format: Softcover correspondence lesson
• Size: Approximately 5½ × 8½ inches
• Length: 53 pages

Condition

• Original vintage publication
• Complete
• Pages securely bound
  
• Please review all photographs for additional condition details.

About Mary Brooks Picken

Mary Brooks Picken (1886–1981) was one of the most influential sewing educators of the twentieth century. She helped develop the Woman's Institute correspondence courses and later authored numerous books on sewing and dressmaking, including publications for Singer. She also taught courses in fashion-related subjects and played a major role in expanding home sewing education in America.

Why Collect Woman's Institute Books?

Woman's Institute lessons document the evolution of sewing education, textile knowledge, and women's correspondence learning during the early twentieth century. Each lesson offers a glimpse into the techniques and materials taught to thousands of students and remains a valuable reference for collectors, researchers, reenactors, and anyone interested in the history of fashion and dressmaking.