BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
43 
in every kind of writing and figuring. Drawing as a founda¬ 
tion for forming good seamstresses and dressmakers was ac¬ 
centuated very strongly by Frau Ree. 
“Many of the pupils were occupied in designing original 
patterns. These patterns are afterwards worked out in bead 
or silk embroidery in the art-room. The patterns were all cut 
in the underclothing-room on scientific principles. They were 
first drawn on paper according to measure, then cut. They 
were also taught the rules of enlarging or making smaller. The 
sewing on white goods was exquisite. Every kind of stitch 
known was made on pattern-slips of linen two or three feet or 
less long. The seams sewed on the bias were marked, ‘Felled 
seams on the bias . 1 To pass the board of examiners, it is neces¬ 
sary to have made a shirt or chemise by hand, as well as other 
articles. The board of examiners is composed of men. On 
being asked what they knew of sewing, Frau Ree laughed, and 
said that she was trying to have women appointed on the board. 
“On account of having no special printing-establishments 
in Hamburg, there are few opportunities for a girl to get a 
situation as a designer. 
“In speaking of the little regard for educated women, she 
said those lady-doctors in Hamburg, who had studied dentistry 
in America, were not allowed to put out their signs as American 
dentists. Also I believe that one of the professors in the dental 
department was not permitted to use his American title. 
“All the girls who study underclothes-making (they are here 
trained for going into large white-clothes establishments) must 
learn to sew on the machine. Frau Ree said that the American 
sewing machines were the best in the world, but that Ameri¬ 
cans could not sew the best on them; when Singer, or Wheeler, 
or others wish to exhibit samples of what their machines could 
do, they would send to Hamburg to hire the work done. The 
pupils made entire garments out of white tissue paper, sewed 
with the same care and skill as if it were in linen. Carefully 
feather-stitched around the neck and sleeves, the little chemises 
looked very dainty. 
“Frau Ree said the pupils delighted to make them, and she 
encouraged it, since it gave lightness of hand. 
