Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-04-28
WHAT DREssMaKERs EARN.
A Contrast of the Earnings OF Male
and Female Dressmakcrs.

anu DfcSStnakCEs.
A number of quiet, neat-lookIng
girls were busy sewing upon some new
Spring goods at fashionable uptown
modiste's when a reporter called. The
iiead Of the establishment was dressed
In black with the utmost simplicity,
which contrasted strikingly with the
brilliant dresses scattered around 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 ?'
II never heard of any. When any
one desires to learn the business she
gpes to dreSsmaker and enters herself
itke an apprentice at any other trade"
Most women who learn dreSSmak-
ing expect to work at it for living, |
ssppose ?"
The modiSte smiled as she answered:
ut Is such bother to learn it that l
don't think any one wolld 60 into it
for fun. Occasionally, it is true, ladies
learn in order to understand better the
hitting of their own dresses, but as a
rule dressmakers' apprentices expect to
gam livelihood by their trade"
How long does it take them 10
learn?"
"Well, that depends upon the stu
dent. Generally girl should master
the trade in one season. A good dress
maker should have q quick eye for form
and color. She should be something of
an artist in addition to having mechan-
ical skill. Most women know some
thing about sewing and have little diff
6culty in hemming and stitching, but
Wien it comes to fitting. trimming and
iuishing dresses, where real taste and
judgment are required, the novice often
firds rocky road. Each dresSmader
has peculiar way of finishing dress,
as each tailor has of making coat"
What can dresSmaker earn after
she has learned her trade?''
ct depends upon her skill and
ability. IL she is smart she can get 81. 50
a day, otherwise she may not get more
than Sl.50-that is, after she has taken
lessons for one season. Foreladies who
superintend the work receive an average
OF S25 a week. They are women Of
long experience in the trade. So far IS
dres5making at home is concerned, the
paper patterns manufactured by anum-
Der of-houses in this city have greatly
siiap!ified matters. You see that chart
on the wall?"
"Yes," he replied, ''but don't I'M
deTstand It,"
81 don't expect You to-" said the
lady; "but any woman with the aid Of
that diagram and paper patterns can De
her own dressInaker, although she may
never have taken lesson IN her life.
OF course anybody who intends to make
dressmaking 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.
-sifeS,p said tbs modiste, ''there is
variety 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-fashlonable or
snowy or odd. Custom has put such
limitations to a mans attire that he
cannot dress In outrageous bad taste
without making himself subject of
ridicule. With woman the case IS diff
ferent. She is permitted TO wear rich
fabrics OF many colors, lace and jewelry.
Go right out here ON Broadway, New
York, and behold the consequence.
You will see women with loud, in
harmonious colors, and gems blazing on
every finger. All they care for IS show,
and that they call being stylish. You
viii see women who delight in defying
FASH" :, and othes who are her abject
slaves. regardless Of taste or common
sense"
swell, madame, is it not i'll the power
of the dressmaker to alter this state of
affairs?"
81 don't see how. We have to make
what there is a demand for. Business
is business, you know"
SIS your business one that man ever
take upP"
ooh, yes, there are male dres5makers
in this city,
'Do they make more money than
women?"
From S3 to S. week more. Men
are better than women at making
waists, which are in som3 PARTICULARS
like the coat you wear; but L never saw
one who could draps a skirt properly"