When I went to school we had lessons in sewing on the schedule, for both girls and boys. We also had wood work, technique lessons where we learnt how to take apart a toilet and repair it (great!) and cooking classes for all. At one point we were supposed to make a crochet pot holder, but mine came out so hard and small that I transformed it into a nose warmer for winter!!! Surely didn't get a high grade for that one! If I would have had to make the bag and shirt I'm wearing today, I'd still be there at my desk fiddling with the yarn...