In order to learn embroidery, I was to make an appliquéd Dutch Doll quilt. My mom cut out the squares and the pieces for the quilt, I had to turn under all the edges, baste in place, and embroider around each piece with the blanket stitch. There ended up being 18 squares in all. 
These were put together with pink strips and cotton batting. Over the years, the cotton batting bunched up and made the quilt heavy, hard, and lumpy. 
This week I liberated the little Dutch Dolls from the heavy quilt. I washed the squares, noticing quite a lot of stains, but after drying outside in the sunshine all day, they look much better, and since they are pretty old, the vintage look is okay.I have plans for a new Dutch Doll quilt, I never really liked the pink in the original quilt, so that will change. I hated to see that quilt just stacked away, not to be used, so I am glad I took it apart - recycle, reuse.
I guess all little girls used to learn to embroider. I wonder if many do now. I must say I actually used this skill later in life - to make flowers on my jeans in the late 60s/70s, and on some baby clothes in the late 70s/early 80s. I will probably use it again soon, teaching my granddaughters to embroider. It's kinda like the reason you learn algebra - so you can help your kids with their homework.
