Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1888-08-10


the following, we are, very respectful
ly.
PITToCK & LAvERY,
Gen. Agents.
Dressmaking in the Future.
From the National Union]
All arts or trades are rapidly chang
ing and improving under the careful
painstaking ideas of this practica |
age. Yet there is one art that has
failed to advance in a general way
with the others. We refer to the art
of dressmaking, and especially of
dress cutting.
But few people realize the import
ance OF the above statement; yet
within the next few years changes in
ideas and opinions will force a tidal
wave over this country that will
swamp every ythhg before it. Like
all radical changes there are many
who will oppose it. yet their opposi-
ton will bo carried away with q
strength and rush that will make it ap.
pear as lift here was no opposition, while
others will be wise enough to see the
tide that leads to fortune, and quick
enough to take it ct its aow.
A few years ago lady that wanted
to be we'll dressed patronized French
dressmakers, not through force of
fashion, but for the best reasons, the
English and American dressmskers
were not able to produce the fit and
style as were French dressmakers.
This was on account of lack of sys-
tematic methods used in thsir work.
We know full we'll that many will
take issue with us upon this question.
yet an examination of the facts will
warrant the statement here made and
would even admit of stronger argu-
ment.
This question should not be ignor-
ed by any one, and shsuld especially
be needed by the young ladies and
dressmakers of America.
Ideas are constantly changing and
every day brings out new styles and
combinations which must be under
stood in order to satisfy, and no dress
maker is capable of doing the work
demanded of her aud for which GUS
toners pay unless she keeps up with
these changes.
Is the average dressmaker able to
meet the demands brought to her by
her best customers at this time? No,
she is not; and why not? In order
to answer this question intelligently
it is necessary to examine the plan of
training the young dressmakers. and
then see the methods afterwards fol-
lowed. The first thing that occurs, a
young woman concludes she wants
to work at the trade, and goes and
sews three or four months with some
one who is conducting the business.
She is taught but very little of any.
thing but the plain sewing and but
tonhole making, seeing but little of
the cutting and basting of the dress
es that ore made in the establishments.
She is taught nothing of scientific
principles, not even knowing such
things exist, and as to the beauty of
outline in form and geometric proper.
ton Of lines, she has never heard of
such thing aud if her teacher knows
anything more about it than she does
herself it is rare occurrence.
No one, after sober reflection, will
say that the training thus received is
beneficial to any great degree, and
in most cases everything done has a
tendency to unfit the worker for good
practical work. About the last week
they are engaged in their apprentice
ship. they are given few lessons in
some antiquated system. which in its
day of glory bad neither fit nor style
ip it's catalogue of good qualities.
With this kind Of training or none
at all, the dressmaker sticks out
her shingle and goes to work as a
'first- class" dressmaker. Now. the
wonder is rot that they fail in turn.
ing out good work, but that they
Gun do anything.
There are few worthy exceptions
that 90 to prove the rule, and all such
deserve greet praise when the trials
they must have encountered are con-
sidered.
The French dressmaker learned
some time ago the need OF radical
change in such methods. and few
enterprising far-sighted men went to
work to remove the evil in their own
case, and did So to such an extent
that they were able to produce sty
lish, good fitting dresses upon scien.
tifc principles of cutting and making
The results were that they had more
than they could do at fabulous prices.
The knowledge Of such work having
been done extended over England and
America, bearing with it desire or
the part of the ladies to have their
dressmakers produce for them the
same kind of work. This demand
aroused spirit of emulation upon
the part of the best city dressmakers
in both countries with n result that
il beneficial and is helping to forward
the revolution above referred to. But
the knowledge upon the part Of the
people that there was something
better among the possibilities has led
to this uprising, until it has become
q universal feeling on the part of the
people.
This demand must be gratified, and
woe unto the dressmaker who tries
dam up such torrent, and great pro
fit will be gained by those who are
shrewd enough to get in the grand
procession.
1t would be profitable to know
the GAUGE of such a change in public
sentiment. but it is often di ificult Il
understand why certain wave of sen
timent passes over q country at Ger
tain time, yet it is u known fact that
such things often DO occur, but The
greavest factor at work in this cas'
is the effort being put forth by the
National Garment Cutter Company
and to that company is due grea
credit.
Messrs Pittock & Lavery. repre-
senting the company in the State o
Pennsylvania, have opened instruc
/