The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-05-06

WhlNO WOOl VI ldWIls WIdl udlnl1
costume could be obtained, not only at
a comparatively triflng expense but pos
sessing the unpurchaseable distinction of
separate and artistic individuality. There
is furore just now in London for home
dressmaking, and to encourage it a ball is
to be given at Willis rooms i'll May, at
which the toilettes worn by the ladies are
to be exclusively homemade One of
the obstacles to dressmaking at home
with us is the fear of not being like ev-
erybody else. This bondage is great
source of weakness. We could afford to
be little fantastic in order to be free,
simple and expressive.
LACE.
| Lace in the piece and for dress pur-
poses is more beautiful than ever this sea-
son, and ''lace" costumes, so called, are as
much in demand as ever. Black lace over
cowslip yellow is greatly admired, but it
is more used for parts of skirts, for
vests and the like, the vest consisting of
the lace over black-than for complete
toilettes. Laces which furnish distinct
outlines, such as the Escurial and Vene-
tian, are now sought by leading modistes
both abroad and at home as basis for
the beaded embroidery used for vests,
panels and the like, as it is found much
more effective, while requiring less work.
Complete tOilettes of black satin-fran-
caise are made with this mixture of E,-
curial outline with cut jet bonnet and
fichu both of Escurial lace, match
ing the finish of the dress
If the Escurial lace is bought
with the fine jet work well DONE it will be
costly; but lady with leisure could easily
bead the required parts of such costume
for herself, and it would then be no more
expensive than any ordinary dress of
black silk.
SUMMER DRESSES.
| Some charming summer surahs have
been made recently in delicate colors, such
as apricot, yellow, daisy" pink, celery
green and cream white, with transparent
drapery of silk, muslin or gauze, embroi-
dered with jardiniere colors. The dresses
are complete without the drapery, and
are made with narrow fiounces upon the
lower front of the skirt. The over dress
is not full, and forms point on one or
both sides of the ruflled front and a stripe
at the back surmounted by an immense
bow. The bodice is deeply pointed front
and back, and filled in with folds of the
embroidered muslin.
A pretty combination in soft surah is
obtained by the union of pink and Nile
green-a favorite combination of colors
many years ago. 1t is now used in silk to
form separate stripes upon skirts of deli
cate cream wool, which are then covered
with ribbons of cream embroidered gauze
the width of the stripe. These extend
! E.. 4 L. L.
upon the bodice.
Color and handwork have become the
chief tests of that indefnable "style'
which is so dear to the average woman.
The finer shades of color, and all "art''
colors only appear in the best and purest
class of fabrics, and are never to be had
as bargains" or in ''cheap" materials.
HAND WORK VS.. MACHINE WORK.
Hand work is not only distinguished
from machine work by its durability, but
by its individuality. The designs differ
from each other, and each one possesses
the cachet of the owners or workers
taste. The machine embroidery is GER
tain to be 'run into the ground" but
hand embroidery will grow in favor as il
grows in beauty and in the power to pro
duce natural effects in colors and designs
in needlework.
The most beautiful of recent designs
have been executed upon lace and linen
and have formed part of several expen-
sive trousseaus. In the white embroid
cries intended for brides dresses, the
shading and tints of white flowers are
perfectly reproduced in mixture of silk
with dull satin and pearl beads; and beau
tiful effects are produced by outlining
scroll designs on narrow satin ribbon
or velvet, with embroidery
stitches, and introducing starry
or daisied effects with seed pearls
or satin seeds"
The linen embroidery upon linen and
the open work effects are both in the i'm
mediate line of the clancy work" in which
ladies delight, and which might just as
we'll be put to some useful and beautiful
purpose in their dress, as wasted in ad-
ding useless ornamentation to useless OBJ
jects. There will certainly come tine
when all this will be reversed, when time
will be considered of too much value not
to be well employed; when taste and cul-
tIvated faculty will be brought to bear
upon every day work, upon matters con-
nected with every day life; and the sooner
we recognize this fact and try to realize
it, the more truly we shall represent ten
denotes of the age in which we live; and
the more likely we shall be to anticipate
the newest in art and fashion.
SWEET DRESSES.
The jacket, the dressy little mantle and
cape are the. only garments used for the
street. Tn Nulster is kept as a resource
and for travelling, especially ocean voy-
ages, but it is not seen upon the prone
made as formerly. The walking jacket
for young ladies presents itself in many
fascinating DISCUSSES and is so exactly
what is needed-as an addition, not Gov
ering, for pretty walking suit-that it
is no wonder it retains all and mora than
all, its old time prestige. There are many
varieties, some OF which are very strik-
ing, adapted to the seaside, to a morning
walk in country grounds or garden, to a
ride on coach with party, or sail by
moonlight, but not to city streets. Those
who wish to render jacket serviceable
upon "al" occasions, should avoid the red
jackets, the jackets with white or buff
vests or very startling buttons; and choose
the good cut, the standard fabric and sim
pie style, though the finish may be as fine
as any; and silk or satin lining or fac