I think we live in such a fast paced world that we want that instant gratification. I don't believe they had more time on their hands to do all of the sewing they did - it was probably out of necessity for some. I learned to sew on a treadle sewing machine in high school and I just loved it. I still have my first project that I made. An apron! We were graded on everything we had to do to finish it. My apron had appliqued tulips on it and we also had to embroider our name on it. Sorry.....I sort of got off of the subject.....got carried away.