1931 - Annual Convention

              S E V E N T E E N T H A N N U A L C O N V E N T I ON
The aim of the Bureau has always been to make their courses as worth
while and as practical as possible. This aim has been carried out in our
sewing course. Miss T i l l i e teaches those things which w i l l help the ladies in
sewing for themselves and for their families. This year a four day course
was included in t a i l o r i n g . This was added because suits have now come back
into vogue, and l i t t l e tailored coats are worn w i t h so many dresses. So far
this year this is p r o v i n g to be a very popular addition to the sewing course.
W i t h reference to basketry: It too has enjoyed a l o n g season of popu­l
a r i t y . I sometimes think that this has been due i n part to the fact that it
gives the women something apart from the routine household duties to do
and to be interested in. The first year work in basketry consists in making
a tea tray, a work basket, a small j a r d i n i e r or a flower pot. Sandwich trays
are also made during the first year course. The reed and necessary supplies
for this work costs approximately $ 1.50 per student. Advanced courses in
basketry include the m a k i n g of large articles such as ferniers, standard work
baskets, standard lamps, etc. The prices vary w i t h whatever article is made.
The sewing and basketry as I have stated have been most popular and
together total more than ' half ou. requests.
Next in popularity comes Interior Decoration. Last year we held 44
courses in this subject. The outline was carefully revised last fall to include
talks on harmonizing colors for rooms, finishings for floors, walls, etc, in
a d d i t i o n to m a k i n g small inexpensive articles that are useful for the home.
M a n y women like this course very much and it has grown in p o p u l a r i ty
d u r i n g the last year or two.
F o u r t h stands Foods and Cookery. This subject w i l l always be of vital
importance to the homemakers of this province, as well as elsewhere in the
world, because so much of the health and happiness of the family depends
upon the meals " mother provides." In these courses, emphasis is placed on
food values, food combinations and part of each period is taken up in demon­s
t r a t i n g c o o k i n g , emphasis being placed on easily prepared wholesome foods
and the use of home grown products. During the past two years these courses
have increased in p o p u l a r i t y and in number.
The balance of our courses include three day courses in m i l l i n e r y , twelve
such being conducted in the province last year. A few courses in what we
t e rm household administration, chiefly for the want of a better name. This
t a l k includes kitchen equipment, labor saving devices and similar topics.
F i f t e e n of these courses were also conducted last year and proved to be very
popular.
The balance were glove m a k i n g and leather tooling courses. These are
very interesting and very instructive. The disadvantage as I see it is that
they are not always p r a c t i c a l and are expensive*— a pair of leather gloves cost
each i n d i v i d u a l member approximately $ 2.50. If they are made of chamiosette
they are cheaper naturally.
That in b r i e f is what was accomplished by the Bureau last year.
Last f a l l we carefully prepared a new questionnaire for this year's work.
Made some additions to our courses in handicrafts and revised and altered our
o l d stencils. Our applications came i n very well and I was hopeful of ' h a v i ng
a v e r y full year's work. However, owing to financial conditions, the Women's
Bureau grant, in accordance with a good many others, was very m a t e r i a l ly
reduced and as a result it was necessary to c u r t a i l our work considerably.