Hand-made Clothes

Old woman working at a sewing machine

This photograph was taken many years ago. At this time shoes and clothes were often made by hand or with a sewing machine. This woman is making a pair of shoes by sewing pieces of leather together.

Courtesy of Fr. Browne S.J. Collection/Irish Picture Library

Old woman working at a sewing machine
Courtesy of Fr. Browne S.J. Collection/Irish Picture Library

Old woman working at a sewing machine

This photograph was taken many years ago. At this time shoes and clothes were often made by hand or with a sewing machine. This woman is making a pair of shoes by sewing pieces of leather together.

Courtesy of Fr. Browne S.J. Collection/Irish Picture Library

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When our grandparents were young most places had a local dressmaker, tailor and shoemaker.

Tailors and shoemakers, like the woman in this photograph, would make clothing and shoes from local materials for small amounts of money. What do you think this woman is making? Is it a shoe or a scarf?

Socks and jumpers were often hand-knitted in the home by the mammy or the granny of the family. Knitting, sewing and other crafts, such as crochet, were also used to make clothing for babies and toddlers.

Spinning Wheel

This is a photograph of an old spinning wheel.

Spinning Wheel

Spinning Wheel

This is a photograph of an old spinning wheel.

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Some homes still had a spinning wheel like this one. It was used for turning a sheep's fleece into long threads of wool.