101 Things For The Housewife To Do - in 1949!

By Caroline Watts - 28/11/2007

This wonderful little book is a fascinating insight into home life in 1949, when Britain was still a country in rationing - so absolutely nothing was wasted. Today’s more affluent, throw-away society is very different to the thrifty make-do-and mend days of the late 40s, when great pride was taken in domestic skills, thriftiness, recycling within the home, maintenance and repair. This book explains exactly how it was all accomplished.

Born in 1952 into a household of three generations I clearly remember we never threw anything away as it always came in useful - and I am still a hoarder myself.

My mother, grandmother and great grandmother all made lampshades, pelmets, curtains and cushions just as the illustrations show in this book, which contains a wealth of useful tips and clear instructions. The model of Hoover illustrated was the same as ours at home, and was working perfectly well right up into my twenties. My mother still uses the Singer sewing machine featured here which has done excellent service. Equipment was built to last in those days!

Household repairs were essential and this book tells us clearly how to darn and mend anything from crockery and torn linoleum to electrical flexes and loose saucepan handles. And, of course, the number of things people made themselves in those days of shortages and lack of cash is impressive. The book describes, amongst other things, how to make a set of wall shelves, a hat wardrobe from plywood, cardboard and material, how to fashion a window seat from old boxes - and even how to make your own first aid cupboard.

Home furnishing and décor are also covered, featuring everything from how to convert an old-fashioned bed into a modern divan to how to choose fabrics and colour schemes. Finishing touches such as how to make a miniature Japanese garden and how to plant bulbs indoors for winter colour are also fully discussed and beautifully photographed.

Common-sense advice abounds, such as how to exterminate mice and deal with 'contagions' to unblocking sinks and easing drawers. Impressively, it also tells you how to do your own dry-cleaning!

One of the highlights for me was the section on childrens’ hobbies and toys - with the emphasis being on children making their own amusements. There are full instructions on how to build a doll’s house and make all the furniture from cardboard, matchboxes and glue. And, joy of joys, we can revisit Plasticine which youngsters like me would work on and play with for hours. No ‘Toys R Us’ in those days - but so much scope for creativity and imagination. And a great sense of achievement when the project was completed.

The ‘Physical Culture’ is also a period piece in itself. The housewife was expected to ‘keep young and beautiful’ with a daily exercise routine based on that of the ‘League of Health and Beauty’, founded in 1930. No work-out at the gym or aerobics classes in those days but very sensible advice on how to keep fit. ‘Fresh air is essential. Start your day with five minutes exercise before an open window every morning. Don’t think anyone need have a bad circulation. It is really over-eating and over-heating’

Anyone reading this book is bound to come away with lots of useful tips and a better insight of housewives’ lives in 1949.

101 Things For The Housewife To Do 1949 is written by Lillie B and Arthur C Horth. It was first published by Batsford in 1949 and reproduced 2007. It is currently available for £7.99 from all good bookshops or directly from Batsford publishers - an imprint of Anova Books - at: 10 Southcombe Street, London, W14 0RA.