Olga Chambers at sewing machine in Cherbourg c1950

Olga Chambers using one of the old treadle sewing machines. Olga was one of the many women who worked in the sewing room of the Girls Dormitory.
Tuition in domestic science also takes place in the Girl’s Dormitory. Under the supervision of the matron and the house parents cooking and baking, laundering and ironing, sewing, needlework and knitting, and flower gardening are taught.
The sewing room in the Girl’s Dormitory is used to teach the girls sewing. Most of the clothes for the dormitory children are made there, gir’s dresses, bloomers (pants), boys shirts and shorts, pyjamas, nighties, layettes and nappies. Between 1932 and 1933 a total of 1113 garments and 251 household articles are produced in the workroom.