We did needlework in years 1 and 3 (7 and 9 now) and cookery in year 2 (year 8 now) and then had to make a choice between art, needlework and cookery in years 4 and 5 (10 and 11) for O-level.
In the first year we made a cover for the hymn book that was to stay with us throughout our time in the school - all hand stitched. Then the cookery apron made from various sized rectangles and a cap with a bit of elastic attached which was supposed to keep long hair away from the food. We used the hand cranks for that. Then came year of cookery - pancakes and mincemeat are what I remember. In the third year we learned how to do hand smocking and then had the choice of a hideous skirt with a smocked waist,
a baby's dress or romper or a nightdress with smocked yoke. If you didn't happen to have a young baby in the family the only real option was the nightdress (again just rectangles) so that's what I chose to make.
After that came a shirt/blouse. Any pattern we chose provided it had a collar, cuffs and set-in sleeves. And we had to provide fabric which was of "good taste". Of course our idea of good and bad taste didn't match the teacher's idea. I tried to rebel and chose black and white stripes
but that was deemed "good taste"
One poor girl though took in a small floral print which was deemed "not good taste" (it looked OK to me) but that incident has stayed with me ever since. The girl probably hated her blouse from the start, but she was from a large family with a widowed mother so I'm sure money was very tight and they probably couldn't afford to replace the fabric.
Apart from the above episode the thing I didn't like about needlework classes was having to queue up to show the teacher what you'd done after every step, most of the time I knew it was right and what I had to do next, I would much rather have just got on with it.