Semco child's sewing card : Australian Mens Services

Booklet , originally made from four square card sheets stapled together at the top, now with only two remaining. The front page is titled 'Semco Sewing cards. Specially prepared for use in Kindergarten Schools in the following series. Australian, Pantomine, Zoological, Fairies and Elves, Australian Womens Services, Service Men.' This example features 'Australian Mens Services'. All pages are illustrated in full lithographed colour. The cover features three uniformed men, labelled RAN, AIF and RAAF. The second page features a RAAF man in front of a Beaufort aircraft. Each image is outlined with a heavy black line interspersed with dots - these are intended to be punched through with a sewing needle as part of the child's activity.

Commercially printed child's sewing cards appear to have developed from about the mid Victorian period and remain a popular means of teaching children - mainly young girls - to sew. These cards were usually sewn using wool or embroidery thread and a large blunt needle. The Semco series appears to have been produced by Semco Pty Ltd in Victoria sometime after late 1942. A companion military-themed card set depicting Australian Womens Services was produced, and an example appears under catalogue reference REL36846.