Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-07-09
DRESSMAKERS.
How They Learn the Trade-Their Wages
and Mode of Living.

A number of quiet. neat-looking girls
were busy sewing upon some new
spring goods at fashionable uptown
modiste's, says the New York MaH and
Express, when a reporter called. The
head of the establishment was dressed
in black with the utmost simplicity,
which contrasted strikingly with the
brilliant dresses scattered about her.
81 have come" said the reporter, "to
know something of the manner in which
women learn the dressmaking trade.
Are there any schools where the business
is taught"
Il never heard of any. When any
one desires TO learn the business she
goes to a dressmaker and enters herself
like an apprentice at any other trade.
"Most women who learn dressmaking
expect 70 work ut it for living, | sup
poseP'
The modiste smiled rs she answered.:
at is such a bother to learn it that |
don't think anyone would 90 into it for
fun. Occasionally, it is true, ladies
learn in order to understand better the
fitting of their own dresses, but, as Il
rule, dressmakers apprentices expect to
gain Il livelihood by their trade"
'Ilow long does il take them to
learn?"
"Well, that depends upon the student
Generally a girl should master the trade
in one season. A good dressmakcr
should have a quick eye for form and
color. She should be something of an
artist in addition to having mere me-
chanical skill. Most women know some
thing about sewing, and have little diff
Guilty in hemming and stitching, but
when it comes to fitting. trimming,
and finishing dresses, where real taste
and judgment are required, the nov
ice often finds rocky road. Each
drcssmaker has Il peculiar way of finish
ING Il dress, us each tailor has of making
4 coat"
What can drcssmakcr earn after
she has learnusl her trade?'
1T depends upon her skill and ability.
If she is smart she can get -, 30 Il day,
otherwise she may not get more than
Sl50. That is after she has taken les
sons for one season. Eorcladics, who
superntcnd the work, receive an aver
age of $50 a week They are women
of long experience in the trade. SO far
as dressmaking mt home is concerned,
the paper patterns manufactured by Il
number of houses in this city have
greatly simpiied matters. You see that
chart on the wall?"
Yes he replied, "but l don't UNI
derstand it,
Il don't expect you TO-, said the lady.
"but any woman, with the aid of that
diagram and paper patterns. can be her
own dressmakcr, although she may new
er have taken lesson in her life. OF
course, anybody who intends to make
dressmaking a business must have the
aid of an experienced 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 reporter, glancing at the gorgeous
display around the room.
Yes" said the modistc, there is
variety enough in all conscience, but it
is simply discowaging to see how few
people dress well. 1t is so hard for wo-
men to see that the charm of dress lies
in not being ultra-fashionablc, or snowy,
or odd. Custom has put such limita-
ton to a mans attire that he can not
dress in outrageous bad taste without
making himself subject of ridIcule.
With woman the case is different. She
is permitted to wear rich fabrics of ma
ny colors, lace and jewelry. Go right
out here on Broadway and behold the
consequence. You will see women with
loud, inharmoniouS colors, and gems
blazing on every finger. All they care
for is show, and that they call stylish.
You will see women who delight in de-
flying fashion, and others who are her
abject slaves, regardless of taste or COM
mon sense.
well, madam. is it not in the power
of the dressmaker to alter this state OF
afiars?"
Il don't see how. We have to make
what there is demand for. Business
is business, you know"
lis your business one that men ever
take up?"
ooh, yes, there are male dressmakers
in this city?'
DO they make more money than wo-
men?"
From 50 to So week more. Men
arc better than women ut making
waists, which are in some particulars
like the coat you wear, but | never saw
one who could drape n skirt properly"