I don't know if its already been said, but in home economics we learned how to budget and keep a checkbook, including balancing. Today, a lesson on credit cards wouldn't hurt.

Oops, I also remember learning about cleaning/cleaning produces (what not to mix) and also during cooking, about salmonella

How to sew on a button.......main thing....

My sister , the genius that she is can design a building, crawl around in an attic space or the crawl space of a building to see the structure of it. She is an Architectural / Engineer and is putting herself through med school part time and she can't sew a button on to save her life.

sewing on a button, hemming...

Enjoy this project. I think you are on the right track with making an apron first. Seems to me that's what we made as our first sewing project. Everyone has left a wealth of suggestions, I'm sure you will do just fine.

Enjoy this project. I think you are on the right track with making an apron first. Seems to me that's what we made as our first sewing project. Everyone has left a wealth of suggestions, I'm sure you will do just fine.

I enjoyed the reference to Watkins, Jewel Tea, etc. Watkins is located in Winona, MN and still sells several products.
My paternal grandfather and his brother-in-law sold Watkins in the late teens of the last century. Yes, they used two horses and a wagon!!

Hopefully, this young woman will have the opportunity to have some of these stories written down, along with photos of the storytellers.

Our world has changed so much in the last forty plus years since I got my home economics degree. Home economists in the late 1920's to mid 1940's used to go door to door with lamps and light bulbs, show women how to use a range, and had the duty to try to build up the use of electricity. When the changes in consumption came to a head in the early 1970's, our jobs were to speak about energy conservation.

By all means, please work in safety as a priority. There are several good suggestions on this thread. Have fun:-)

Boo, An apron used to be the first year sewing project for 4-H. ( Logo is the 4 leaf clover) Maybe check out a local 4-H club at your county extension office or internet for instruction book she can keep. The pattern teaches all the basics, safety, buying material, cutting, sewing seams, hemming and has a top casing for a drawstring waist/ties. Can even overcast the raw edges. Good for you for encouraging another generation in sewing :)

I remember we sewed straght and curved lines on paper with no thread in the machine. We made a potholder and apron to use when we learned to cook. Then we went to a skirt and finally a blouse. Placemats are fun and practical. She could learn straight sewing but still use some of the fancy stitches teens seem to love to do. I would not start with mending lol. I would want her to do some fun(still practical) things first to get her *hooked*...just a thought :)

Everyone has given such wonderful ideas to teach your Neice. It has been 40 years since I had home ec. I had all the basics and enjoyed them all. One thing that we had that I found very useful. How to set a formal table..to fold napkins,,and table ettiquet. Have a wonderful time with your neice.
Peace and blessings,

If the girl is home schooled and her mother is out - sourcing, it could be a good idea to hire a chef or free - lance home economics/dietary advisor or send her to school.