Where were you in 1952? Probably not sitting in a home ec class. Home ec, or home economics, is the study of household tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, sewing, and—back in 1952—keeping the hubby happy. Could you pass a 1952 home ec class? Let’s find out!
1: What is the best way to ensure dinner will be ready when your spouse gets home?
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To ensure dinner will be ready on time, plan ahead, preferably the day before. Make sure that you have all the necessary ingredients on hand. Working backward from dinnertime, figure out how long each recipe will take to prepare so you can start everything on time.
2: What was a popular brand of sewing patterns in the 1950s?
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Simplicity was founded in 1927, and it is still going strong today. Why not try vintage pattern 8814 to make an apron, gathered at the waist, with tie ends? You could add embroidery or rickrack trim to make an apron that reflects your domestic style.
3: What is a canapé?
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Essentially, a canapé is any edible platform with tasty treats spread or stacked on top. Try toast points with cucumber slices and salmon mousse, crackers with herb butter, or Wonder Bread squares with Velveeta.
4: Which of these is NOT the way to get ready for your partner’s arrival at home, in the world of the 1950s?
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We hope you realize that the point is to minimize or eliminate any evidence of household stress, so don’t make a list of complaints. Allow your partner to imagine that housework is a breeze, and you spent much of your day on the sofa eating bonbons.
5: What is a gab jacket?
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A gab jacket is a 1950s men’s jacket, made of gabardine, gathered at the waist with an elastic band. Usually, this type of jacket is two-toned, with contrasting yokes and welt pockets. You’ll learn what all of these sewing and tailoring terms mean if you pay attention in home ec class.
6: Which of the following is NOT an ingredient in traditional Oysters Rockefeller?
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Your home ec teacher would make you replace that soy sauce with Tabasco. Oysters Rockefeller was created in 1899, at a New Orleans Restaurant called Antoine's, and the exact recipe remains a closely guarded secret. The rich oyster dish was named after the richest man at the time, John D. Rockefeller.
7: In the sewing world, what is basting?
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Basting stitches can be made either by machine or by hand. These stitches are loose, meant to hold fabric in place until permanent seams are sewed. The basting stitches are then removed. (And yes, basting is also a cooking term that you'll learn about in home ec.)
8: What household item can be recycled as a cushion for a bucket handle?
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Simply cut off a section of garden hose, slice it once vertically, then wrap it around a bucket handle to make it more comfortable to grip. You’ll be glad you did this the next time you clean your floors with a mop and that bucket full of soapy water.
9: What is a seam allowance?
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The seam allowance is the fabric between the cut edge and the stitch line. Often when you’re sewing by machine, you’ll want a 5/8-inch seam allowance, as called for in your Simplicity patterns. Use your sewing machine’s throat plate as a guide!
10: What is aspic?
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Aspic is a savory entrée, typically made in a jello mold. Meat broth or consommé is poured into the mold. As it cools, it will begin to firm up, and that’s when you add chopped meats and vegetables. Place the whole thing in the refrigerator until it is firm but jiggly, then unmold, slice, and serve!
11: Which of these was a common material for tabletops in the 1950s?
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Formica was available in all colors of the rainbow and in many patterns. Formica tables usually had chrome legs and edging. You’ll want to clean your Formica with mild dish soap, then follow up with baking soda if necessary.
12: How do you keep the pineapple slices from sinking when you bake a pineapple upside-down cake?
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The idea is, the canned pineapple slices are placed in the bottom of the cake pan, along with sugar, butter, and cherries, and then the batter is poured over the top. After your cake is baked, you will quickly and carefully invert it onto a platter, and—voila—the pineapples and cherries are on top!
13: What is the grainline on fabric?
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The grainline is any thread that runs parallel to the selvage. The selvage is the finished edge on each side of the fabric when it is unrolled from the bolt at the fabric store. The crossgrain is any thread that runs perpendicular to the selvage. The bias runs at a 45-degree angle from the selvage.
14: What was a popular time-saver in 1950s kitchens?
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Canned goods became hugely popular in the 1950s because they saved time and prevented spoilage. A Del Monte Fruit Cocktail ad of the era recommended combining canned fruit cocktail, canned lunch meat, mayo, mustard, jello, vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, and chopped fresh veggies to make a buffet party loaf. Yum!
15: What is an easy way to maintain an attractive 1950s hairstyle?
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Setting your hair in curlers each night ensures that you will wake up with fabulous waves. In the 1950s, you would have used foam, pin, or rag rollers. (Don’t think about how unattractive you might look each night, hopping into bed with a head full of curlers.)
16: What is a bobbin?
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To make your sewing machine projects look professional, ensure that the bobbin and the main spool have the same color and thickness of thread. The word “bobbin” comes from the French “bobine,” meaning a small instrument used in sewing.
17: What must you do to create a flaky pie crust?
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The bits of butter in the pie dough melt in the oven to leave gaps and create a flaky crust, so make sure your butter is solid when you incorporate it into the flour. For extra insurance, chill your mixing bowl ahead of time.
18: Do you know the name for a long, narrow skirt?
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A long, narrow skirt is called a pencil skirt. Try the 1950s vintage Simplicity pattern 1690. Pair your classy pencil skirt with some elegant pumps.
19: What is an easy way to remove tarnish from copper?
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You can remove tarnish from copper with a simple mixture of vinegar and water. Also use vinegar to clean windows, scrub away bathtub film, and remove wine stains. Don’t you feel domestic?
20: What recipe includes diced chicken, canned cream of chicken soup, sherry, celery, and noodles?
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The origins of chicken a la king are unclear, but it was immensely popular in the 1950s. Pay attention when your home ec teacher demonstrates how to prepare it.
