The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1876-01-27

l VIII give you leave to forget your good
breeding, Mamie, and examine my dress as
critically as you would like, and to ask even
a whole host of questions"
Il suppose the like liberty is extended to
me, )" said Mrs. Bristow, taking the model from
her daughters hand ''Now Mamie, we will
just consider aunt Ethel lay figure, pull her
about all We wish to, and make as many disa-
greeable comments as we choose"
"Ah, but you won't choose; the whole
thing is perfect" exclaimed Aunt Ethel
flush, lay figures don't talk" was Mrs
Bristow's laughing reply. This skirt is
Topped very gracefully, Mamie. | wonder
where she got her idea 2"
Lay figures don't have ideas, mamma
But see, this little dolls dress is looped just
| like it,"
"That's fact" commented Mrs Bristow
after careful scrutiny of the model. ''This
putting looks rather intricate" she con-
tinued
''No, but see, mamma, it is just the same
here" and the model was again held up for
inspection. IS | see how it is to be done,
don't you 81
81 believe do !' was Mrs Bristow's ex-
clamation, after a moment'e study of it..
"Why, how very plain and simple this renders
even the making of dressy suit. 1t is as
auntie says, Every fold, plat and gather is
right where it should be- Why, any one can
make their dresses with these patterns, |
really believe; so cheer up, Mamie and
Ethel, you may stop playing lay figure, and
resume your easy chair, on condition you
enlighten US, concerning these wonders"
First let me tell you how came to use
these paper patterns. After my return from
the Continent, three years ago, l followed the
| IA ot A LODI of
of ordering from Paris an occasional extra
nice dress of latest style. | had noticed Mrs.
Lane, "a friend of mine, wearing a cashmere
OF unusual elegance and beauty for about
three months when | received my last new
silk direct from headquarters Imagine my
disgust when | saw that it was an exact
fac sinaile of Mrs. Lanes cashmere. / knew
that although as family they dressed ele-
gantly and fashiOnably. that they had not
the means to have dresses imported besides,
had they, there was no reason why she 81 ould
have new fashion sooner than |, so | called
t upon her, and with a few wel-timed cOmpli-
ments and remarks elected from her the in
formation that she made all her own and her
children's clothing with the aid of A. Bur-
dette Smiths paper patterns, every one of
which is accompanied by cloth model, and
the Instructions given in full in his Fashion
| Magazine
II was rather incredulous, but as | was to
be IN New York the next week | took down
the number of his store, GA Broadway, and
called ii there. ! also went to the leading
houses that import fashions, such as 'I1.por-
ters Of Ready made Stats, but found that not
one of them had a single style lust out in
their store that Mr. Smith had not been fur
nishing patterns of from two to three months
at least. Fearing failure, | vet purchased
materials and patterns of Mr. Smith for
several garments, and on my return home
commenced their manufacture. His Magazine
| found just replete with information COLI
corning precisely what | needed to know
| Why, Mamie dear, thefacy work department
alone would be worth to you three times the
cost of years subscription, and if ever was
a little puzzled regarding the putting to-
gether Of any article, this little treasure,
the model showed me how. I now do very
little shopping for myself, except when am
in New York City, as by sending direct to
Mr.. Smiths purchasing department., | get
exactly what | want, and at the most reason
| able rate"
"One thing more, and then I am through
Have you ever heard me speak of Mrs.
Hawley, dear young friend Of mine, who
came to Camden to reside when she was first
married, having previously lived in one of the
! Western States She was so far from all her
friends and so lonely, and really sweet,
| childlike little woman, that took decided
liking to her. On calling one morning | no.
ticed she looked rather sober, and before
left, she exclaimed, 'Oh, Miss Lynn, how
l wish you had dozen children, instead of
| being the dear, sweet, lovely old maid you
are L want to make some clothes for little
stranger, and there is no one here whom |
dare ask anything about it. Mamma will
write me directions, but sOmeway | can't tell
| by them; must see "a thing to know how to
| do It | comforted her with promises of
assistance from the old maid,' and going
directly home, | looked over my never fail
ing guide, the magazine, in which | thought
[ had seen advertised patterns for an infants
wardrobe, and sure enough l had The next
mail carried dollar to Mr.. Smith, and
| speedily had returned to me patterns for a
dozen different garments for a little one.
The never failing cloth model accompanied
all, SO Mrs. Hawley could see just how to
make them, and | assure you that the pref
test dressed baby in all Camden is little
| Winnie Hawley.
But there: have I talked long enough: or
shall tell you of the half dozen children
whom propose to make happy, Christmas
I
complete, made in latest fashion by aid of
these patterns for even dolls can now be
stylishly dressed, by the use of patterns got
ten up expressly for them, which Mr. Smith
furnishes. Sister Louis little girl, only nine
years old, is developing wonderful faculty
for cutting and making clothing, owing, |
think to the dolls she has dressed with the
help of these patterns, and it has done so
much toward giving her love for sewing,
and forming habits of industry and cultiva-
ting her taste as well.
''But there, Mamie, l am through, and
here is my infallible dreSs-maker, the two
last numbers of the MONTHLY World OF
FASHION. | shall expect another to morrow,
and if you will promise to subscribe your
self for it, patronize the paper that are
| accompanied by cloth models, and are them
selves really models of the very latest styles,
and models of usefulness and economy, /
will commence at once to assist you, and l
know you will like my little dress maker
much BETTER than you do Miss Duane for
mine is really infallible !"
To work the willing fingers went, and in
three weeks time, when Mamie started for
the Christmas festivities with well-flIed
trunks, her face was far brighter than on the
day when we first introduced her to the
paa fhpuuh Miss I