Page 5
Clothing
Much of the clothing was made of sheep's wool and from flax. After the fleece was sheared from the sheep, the wool had to be washed and picked then taken to a carding mill and made into rolls. The rolls were spun into yarn on the spinning wheel, for knitting. Some people also made rolls by using "hand-cards."
A Jack-reel was used to make the yarn into hanks and each time the reel made a click, it was time to tie the hank.
The men tanned leather with tanbark obtained from trees, and Cobbler Shops were built where boots, shoes, and harness were
made. They also made a light—weight shoe called a moccasin. The flax was hackled, spun, and woven into clothing and other materials. Mrs. L. D. Rose, Lakeville, has a linen table—
cloth made from flax grown by her great grand—father on the Fraser farm at South Lake. This flax was prepared by her grand aunt, Isabel Fraser. The tablecloth is over 150 years old. Mrs. Rose also owns a bedspread which was bought when travelling from East Point to Charlottetown was done by horse and cart.
The flax, unlike the grain, when ripe, was pulled up by the roots.
Since this time, finer materials have been introduced which include cotton, gingham, satin, silk, jersey, velvet, qeorgette, organdy, flannelette, and corduroy.
In recent years, such names as Crimplene, Perma-Press, Bonded Linen, Peau—de—Soie, Arnel, Crepe, Chiffon, Nylon, Denim, and Terry cloth appear and are used in making various fashions such as dresses, slacks, pant dresses, hot—pants, shirts and blouses.
Home made boots, too, have been replaced and now shoes may be bought to match any wardrobe.