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Story: Domestic recreation and hobbies

Woman sewing, early 20th century

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Woman sewing, early 20th century

Sewing was a popular hobby with women and one that mixed work with pleasure because the things sewn were often family clothes and household furnishings. This woman is sewing an item of clothing, possibly in the evening.

Using this item

Auckland Council Libraries − Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero o Tāmaki Makaurau, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Reference: 4-7045

by James D. Richardson

Permission of Auckland City Libraries Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Kerryn Pollock, Domestic recreation and hobbies – Gardening and making things, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/41111/woman-sewing-early-20th-century (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 14 March 2013.