The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-05-06
DRESSMAKERS.
How They Learn the Trade-Their Wages
and Mode of Living.

and Mode OF
A number of quiet. neatlooking girls
were busy sewing upon some new
spring goods at fashionable uptown
modiste's, SAYS the New York Mail 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.
Il have come" said the reporter, Ito
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.
sMost women who learn dressmaking
ex -ect to work at it for a living, | sup
The mod;..s smiled as she answered:
.It is snch h, Nher to learn it that l
don't think anyone woL- 80 ln'o ,d;ol ~ iol
fun. Occasionally, it is IT, i"Nieo tho
learn in order to understand better 0
fitting of their own dresses but, as a
rule, dressmakers apprentices expect to
gain livelihood by their trade"
How long does it take them to
learn?"
''Well, that depends upon the student.
Generally girl should master the trade
in one season. A good dressmaker
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 a rocky road. Each
dressmaker has peculiar way of finish
ing dress, as each tailor has of making
a coat
"What can dressmaker earn after
she has learned her trade?'
at depends upon her skill and ability.
If she is smart she can get $3.50 day,
otherwise she may not get more than
S1.50. That is after she has taken les
sons for one season. Foreladies, who
superintend the work, receive an aver
age of $25 week. They are women
of long experience in the trade. So far
as dressmaking at home is concerned,
the paper patterns manufactured by
number of houses in this city have
greatly simpiified matters. You see that
chart on the wall?"
Yes he replied, "but don't un-
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 dressmeker, although she may nev-
er have taken a 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, giancing at the gorgeous
display around the room.
Yes" said the 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 wo-
men to see that the charm of dress lies
in not being ultra-fashionable, or snowy,
or odd. Custom has put such limita-
llOu W IL l1du dlllIc tldU ut Cdu uOU
dress in outrageous bad taste without
making himself a subject of ridlcule.
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-
fying fashion, and others who are her
abject slaves, regardless of taste or COM
mon sense.n
''Well, madam, is it not in the power
of the dresSmaker to alter this state of
affairs?"
Il don't see how. We have to make
what there is demand for Business
is business, you know"
'Is your business one that men ever
take up?"
"Oh, yes, there are male dressmakers
in this cityP"
"Do they make more money than wo-
men?"
From So to Sc week more. Men
are better than women at making
waists, which are in some particulars
like the coat you wear, but never saw
one who could drape a skirt properly"