St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-05-02
ABOUT ERS.
Men Earn vi ore Than w Omen--SOm
Ladies Make Their Own Dresses.

IVA EN- Earn w ore Il han w ON e H.. SO me-
Ladies Make Their Own Dresses.
A number of quiet, neat-looking girls
We're busy sewing upon some new spring
goods at a fashionable uptown modiSte's
when a reporter called. The head of the
establishment was dressed in black with
the utmost simplicity, which contrasted
strikingly with the brilliant dresses around
her.
81 have come" said the reporter, ''to
learn something of the manner in which
women learn the dressmaking trade. Are
there any schools where the business is
taught?"
81 never heard of any. When any one
desires to learn the business she goes to a
dresSmaker and enters herself like an ap-
prentice at any other trade"
''MOSt women who learn dreSsmaking
| expect to work at it for for living, sup
pose?"
The modiste smiled as she answered.: cit
is such bother to learn it that l don't
think any one would go into it for fun.
Occasionally, it is true. ladies learn in order
| to understand better the fitting of their own
| dresses; but. as a rule, dresSmakers' ap-
prenticeS expect to gain livelihood by
their trade"
HOW long Goes IL take TO learn?''
''Well. that depends upon the student.
Generally girl should master the trade in
season. A good dressmaker should have a
quick eye for form and color. She should
be something of an artist in addition to hay
ing mere mechanical skill. Most women
know something about sewing, and have
little difficulty in hemming and stitching
but when it comes to fitting, trimming and
finishing dresses, where real taste and
judgment are required, the ssnovice often
finds rocky road. Each dressmaker has a
peculiar way of finishing dress as each
tailor has of making coat"
''What can dreSSmaker earn after she
has learned her trade?"
1T depends upon her skill and ability.
If she is smart she can get $3.50 day,
otherwise she may not get more than 81. so.
That is after she has taken lessons for one
season. Fore ladies who Superintend the
work receive an average of $25 week.
They are women of long experience in the
trade. So far as dreSsmaking at home is
concerned, the paper patterns manufac-
tured by a number of houses in this city
have greatly simplified matters. You see
that chart on the wall?"
eyes," he replied, ''but I don't under
stand it,"
uOH ApGCG YOU Sdlu GIl0 lazy.
''but any woman, with the aid of that dia-
gram and paper patterns, can be her own
dresSmaker, although she may never have
taken lesson in her life. Of course, any
body who intends to make dressmaking
business must have the aid of an eX-
perienced teacher. AS with many other
trades, apprentices get no pay while they
are learning"
There seems to be quite a variety in the
spring styles this year." observed the re-
porter, glancing at the gorgeous display
around the room.
eyes," said the modiste, 'sthere is va
riety enough in all conscience, but it is
simply discouraging to see how few people
| dress well. 1t is so hard for women to see
that the charm of dress lies in not being
ultra fashionable, or snowy, or odd. Gus
tom has got such limitations to mans at
tire that he cannot dress in outrageous bad
taste without making himself subject of
ridicule. With woman the case is differ
ent. She is permitted to wear rich fabrics
of many colors, lace and jewelry. Go
| right out here on Broadway and behold the
consequence. You will see women with
loud, inharmonious colors, and gems blaz-
show, and that they call being stylish. You
will see women who delight in defying
fashion, and others who are her abiect
slaves, regardless of taste or common
sense.'
''Well, madam, is it not in the power of
the dressmaker to alter this state of at
fairs?"
Il don't see how. We have to make what
there is demand for. Business is business,
you know"
us your business one that men ever take
up?" ~
20, yes; there are rlale dressmakers in
this city,"
do they make more money than
women?''
From SIS to Sc week more. Men are
better than women at making waists, which
are In some particulars like the coat you
wear, but l never saw one who could drape
skirt properly. New York Mail and
Express