Reminiscences of Newcastle, Iowa, 1848; a history of the founding of Webster City, Iowa . n consignment, the filling was dampened beforeweaving. This method, however, made the cloth all butunmanageable in the wash tub, and about as good as aboard for a towel. All clothing was seamed with the hand back-stitch andwith tow-thread, which hung in a loosely braided skeinabout the sewers neck. When the strands were clippedthe threads were a convenient needle length. A bunch oftow furnished household cord. It was twisted by grandpapand the toddlers. We did not use the small hand looms or frames forban
Reminiscences of Newcastle, Iowa, 1848; a history of the founding of Webster City, Iowa . n consignment, the filling was dampened beforeweaving. This method, however, made the cloth all butunmanageable in the wash tub, and about as good as aboard for a towel. All clothing was seamed with the hand back-stitch andwith tow-thread, which hung in a loosely braided skeinabout the sewers neck. When the strands were clippedthe threads were a convenient needle length. A bunch oftow furnished household cord. It was twisted by grandpapand the toddlers. We did not use the small hand looms or frames forbands, suspenders or shoelaces. The former ornamenta-tion was platted as we braided straw for hats. For thelatter we used buckskin, and galluses were knitted withcoarse yarn. Spinning-wheels always were decorated with hanks ofyarn, bunches of tow or rolls of wool ready for instant never were idle. Women either brought an apron-ful of wool or flax to be cleared and sorted, or at onceoff^ered their services to mother for any available work. 196 REMINISCENCES OP NEWCASTLE, IOWA. WOMENS WORK 197 Spinning and knitting were the perennially unfailing chal-lenge for assistance. The buzzing hum of the wheels or thebusily flying fingers did not detract from the social enjoy-ment of the producers of useful material. The spinster still is honored with kindly remem-brance in the effort to perpetuate the art of spinning. Ibow in wondering contemplation of the tireless workers,who with peaceful resignation and conscientious devotionperformed these painstaking pioneer duties. Goose Plucking. Goose plucking was an occasion of pleasure and hila-rity quite as impatiently awaited as the date for the pres-ent day circus or menagerie. Instead of penning the geeseat night we chased each victim about the premises untilcaught. A personal and strenuous encounter usually wasexperienced with the ganders of the flock. They gave bat-tle with bills and wings while vociferously screaming andhissing,
Size: 1257px × 1989px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, booksubjectfrontie, bookyear1921
