Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-05-19
DRESSING BOYS.
Some Hints as to the Most Desirable and
Economic Methods.


Economic Methods.
Few mothers understand how to make
boys look picturesque and at the same time
dress them with ease and comfort. Per-
haps hint or two from one whose soul
has been wracked with the sight of but
tonless trousers, wrinkled stockings and
gaping shirt-waists, may prove of benefit.
Being fond of painting and artistic pur-
suits, longing for time to devote to con-
genial occupations, chafed for months
over the precious moments wasted in vain
striving to induce buttons to remain in
their rightful positions. | would leave
my boys dressed for the afternoon-clean,
starehed shirt-waists, immaculate stock
ings, sewed and buttoned all tight and
trim. My soul would continually soar to
higher things, when my peace would be
shattered by the sight of distressed little
faces, and shirt-haps exposed.
/ only leaned over a little, and all the
buttons popped off" was usually the ex-
PLANTATION given.
/ endured this through two summers
then arose in desperation and reduced the
matter of boys clothing down to fine art.
In the first place, oh, weary mothers, take
off those unpicturesque, uncomfortable
short-waisted shirts. Do not blame your
Tommie if he comes in at the end of each
day with buttonless waistband 1t is
impossible to hold up the little trousers
tightly and at the same time have comfort
in movement. Something mnst give wav,
and naturally the buttons fly.
Dress your boys Alright, and summer gar
ments once put in order will give the
mother no more trouble till the time comes
for those for the autumn to be looked to.
In place of the short-waisted shirts make,
or have made, loose blouses, star or sailor
waists, either of the same material or of
thin flannel. When the weather is cool or
damp | have white or navy blue flannel ;
when very warm, percale or cambria. They
should be made large, to allow for shrink
age, and, unless your boys grows like a
morning-glory, they ought to last through
two summers nicely. The collars and cuffs
can be made of turkey red or navy blue, to
match the color of the figure in the cam
brio. These plain colors will keep clean
much longer, and look more dressy, than
light collars
Now comes the point of vantage. The
short-sleeyed gauze flannel, and the stock
ings-with black elastics above the knees
are first donned and have, either on
trousers or kits, strong buttons sewed for
suspenders. These, being elastic, will give
whenever movement demands it, and the
buttons remain in place.
A weary little mother, tired with much
sewing, and still anxious to keep her boys
neatly dressed, looked shocked when told
her to put sIspenders on her baby boy in
kits, but on trying my plan she found it
worked wonderfully we'll, and her thanks
were many for the rest thus gained
The waist must of course go over the
suspenders. In order to do this, it should
be made larger at the bottom than under
the arms, and a gathering tape drawn in a
hem at the lower edge, thus forming a
blouse. Have this tape the size of the
waist, and instead of tying secure it at
each end, and, with a stout button and
button-hsle, your troubles, so far as sewing
on buttons is concerned, are at an end.
These shirts must be cut quite long-waist-
ed, and are very easily ironed, and exceed
ingly cool and comfortable for the wearer.
besides having picturesque look, which
the old-fashioned waists certainly lack.
The neclltie should harmonic in color
with the waist and be tied sailor fashion,
WIN HO"ilIS c-uS. ~ you Will see, WIN
the exception of enough buttons to hold
the waist together in front, the dress is re-
duced to simplicity itself; and my boy of
& years dresses himself with as much ease
as the boy of 10, and always looks in good
ordor
The 6-year-old boy, with nayy-blue
suit made in this way, can have a surah
silk sash Of red or blue around his waist,
tied in loops on one hip. This l have
named-for the benefit Of my boy, who OBJ
jected to the sash-"The Cowboy suit,D
and the sash and name fill the souls of his
little mates with envy. With wide-brim-
med blue hat on the back of his head, his
hair cut square in front, and rather long in
the back, and pretty necktie with flowing
| ends, boy dressed in this manner looks
like picture, and still there is nothing to
call for the aid of nurse or mamma
The little shoes should always be the
tied ones. They keep their shape better,
and instead OF an expediture of time and
temper in sewing on shoe-buttons, there
be needed but the penny for new shoe
string. For dress, have plenty of silk
stockings, and low shoes with buckles.
With their own little backing kit in
the corner of the bath room, their own lit
tie hooks for clothes and drawer apiece
for shirt waists and stockings, and little
patient training from mamma in the mat
ter Of hanging up and putting away, there
Is no reason why much, if any, care as far
as clothing is concerned, should fall on her
already overburdened shoulders.-De,no-
rest.