Takes me back almost 50 years.  At primary school we did this.  It was the high-point and low-point of my week.  High because I liked doing it (the paper used for coverings were beautiful, and I was good at it--sadly, no more with arthritic hands!). Low point was that the class was taken by the Head Master (Mr Fergusan, a name I will never forget!) because if you made a mistake you were lucky to get away with only one bruise...One was never able to keep the books, suspect Mr F sold them on at a profit..
Your class seemed to be a more gentile affair...didn't know men were allowed into WI events. Ha!
paulx