Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-01-14
RenOyating Black Dresses.

If fashion is gradually introducing
more of color into the toilet, still no ward
robe is complete without at least one
black dress, and then the number of those
who wear mourning creates for it con-
stantly a steady demand. Its unfailing
popularity is proved by the fact that the
prices of black goods do not decline pro-
portionally with others, merchants saying
that their sale is always sure. But al
though neat black dress is thus service
able, and its wearer sure of being appro-
priately, if not handsomely, dressed in
any company in which she may appear,
yet no dress is more susceptible of i'm.
provement from constant and intelligent
care, and it does seem as if shabby, ill
kept suit of black was one degree more
shabby than any other. No lady should
ever don her alpaca, cashmere or serge
without giving it a thorough busting with
broom or brush. Dust permitted to set
tie in the folds of pleat or shirring will
soon be impossible toremove entirely, and
give the whole gown that untidy air so
much TO be deprecated in everything per-
tanning to lady's person.
But after constant use for months, or
maybe year, the most carefully kept
black dress will begin to show the effects
general dinginess of aspect, if in no
place actually rubbed or worn. Now is
! the time to expend little skill and in
genuity in its renovation, when the econo-
mist may be rewarded by coming out in
an old dress madenew, sure of eliciting the
admiration at least of all those who are in
the secret. For the undertaking provide
| yourself with ten cents worth OF soap
bark, procurable at an herb-store, and
boil it in one quart of hot water. Let it
steep awhile, and then strain it into a
basin for use. If the job is to be per-
feet and thorough one, take the body and
sleeves apart and to pieces; rip Off the
trimming from skirt and over-skirt.
Brush Off all loose dust first, and then,
with sponge dipped in the soap.bark
decoction, wipe over each piece thorough
ly, folding up as you proceed. Have ready
lady's skirt-board for pressing and we'll
heated irons. Smooth every piece on
the wrong side, including even silk
trimmings; and when you have once
more put it together you will be
amazed to see the results of the simple
! process. One advantage of taking the
whole dress apart is that, by putting the
trimmings on in some style little differ
ent from what it was at first, the attrac-
/ tlOh vi ID 10 lldhC llC tlCCl
more pleasing. II one has not time,
however, to go through the whole process,
a dress may be greatly improved by be-
ing wiped over with this mixture, and
pressed on the wrong side while damp
indeed, for time, it will look quite as
good as new, The process may be re-
peated from time to time as shall seem
advisable. l have seen cashmere, which
had been worn two whole winters, taken
apart and treated in this way, and the
closest observer would have supposed the
dress to have been put on for the first
time, such was its soft, fresh look, and the
vividness of its black. Grenadine may be
submitted TO the same sort of cleaning
with fine results. 81 RFn ntT TftrTaI
| y When black lawn has become limp,
tumbled and generally forlorn- looking,
the best mode of treatment to subject it Ia
is, first a submersion in a pan Of warm
water colored highly with indigo; then
exposure 10 the air until just dampness
enough is left to enable one to press it 70
advantage with hot iron, and If this IL
carefully done, always ON the wrong side,
the lawn will come forth quite fresh, stiff
and renovated from its blue bath, and
again do good service for another while,
Every particle of dust should be re.
moved from black silk or pOplin every
time it is worn, for nothing cuts either
out so soon as these often imperceptible
little gritty notes with which the air of a
city is filed where coal is in such uniYer.
sal use, e,-Harper's Bazar. lLL.l