I picked woodwork, as 95% of the boys did, and about 80% of the girls picked the home-lessons instead.
I do recall doing some sewing lessons outwith the home-ec classes, but it was very irregular. I know I skipped some stuff because my grandmother had already taught me to knit when I was six-eight years old. Only at home did I use a sewing machine, never at school.
I guess it must have been dependent on the school then?
It was useful - I'm quite sure I wouldn't have gotten any exposure to those subjects without it.
Housework, sewing, knitting and stuff I'd been exposed to at home due to a pretty large family already. Though otherwise I would have probably benefited from it, and it did strike me even at the time that it would be best if we could do both classes, rather than having to pick only one.