Green Pongee Leora Wilson made good use of her treadle machine, which she ordered through the Sears Roebuck catalog. She sewed Doris an Easter dress from light green pongee, soft with shiny figures in it. She ordered new suits for Delbert and Donald, with knickers that could be lengthened as they grew, and newsboy caps. Doris’s straw hat also came from the catalog. Cherries dangled from the brim. Could she wear it to school? Yes, but no one told her not to wear it while riding on the giant strides. The precious cherries were lost.
From Meadowlark Songs: A Motherline Legacy, which will debut this month.
Oh my. Don’t they look adorable!!
Thank you, Darlene. It was right before the Great Depression so the family still could buy things.
Oh my goodness! What a pic!!
My mother, Hoang, with her two older brothers! They joined the Navy during the Great Depression and were the two brothers who survived WWII.
What a great story, Joy!
I loved the photo, then Mom told about the fabric in the dress and about riding on the giant strides at school. Oh! Mom’s two older brothers were the ones who joined the Navy during the Great Depression.
Love this photo…and the backstory about their “Easter best” outfits. 🥰
Thanks, Vicki!
🥰
Knickers that could be lengthened as they grew—very practical.
Yes, and they certainly did! Because of the family’s poverty during the Great Depression, those boys didn’t have long pants (except overalls) for 8th grade graduation. One of the teachers quietly borrowed suits for them.
What a wonderful story and picture, Joy!
Thanks, Craig. It’s also on page 84 in Meadowlark Songs!
I remember this photo! The three young’uns cleaned up very nicely, thanks to Mama Leora.
Thanks, Liz!
You’re welcome, Joy!
Wonderful picture and story, Joy! I’ve never heard of pongee or the giant strides before.
I hadn’t either until Mom mentioned them. Thank you, Eilene.
Adorable photo!!!
Thank you, Linda. I just figured out that Leora was six months pregnant when she took the darling photo.
Your mom and uncles look great, Joy. That Your uncles survived WWII is wonderful.
Love the photo, Joy!
Thank you, Lauren!
Treadle machine – I didn’t know that was the actual name for it. learn something new everyday.
Same here!
[…] Easter Sunday, 100 Years Ago by Joy on Joy Neal Kidney […]
They certainly knew how to dress up for special occasions back in the day. That’s a wonderful image of a trio of Leora’s all spruced up. 🙂
Thank you, Nancy. It sure is a favorite!