Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-10-05
Che Pouseholo.
TEACH THE GIRLS TO SEW.

lumber of excellent suggestions in re-
I'd to teaching girls to sew:
Eho can say that the inventions of the
eteenth century do not show us to be
ing ahead, pushing onward to perfec-
b? Not only is this the case in scien-
matters, but in all branches pertain
to household work. In n particu-
however, we are losing ground. Our
ghters are not taught the use of the
lle, as were our grandmothers in the
d old times of long ago. In grand
5 day" every ruffle was bemmed, roll
whipped and sewed on by hand. In
ergarments every seam was neatly
ID, every yard of flannel vas (after
e run together) nicely and evenly
stepped and without this pretty
h was considered a bungling, un-
tly piece of work.
10 not condemn the use of the sewing
hine, but | contend that to do good
hine work it is almost necessary for
TO understand how to do plain sewing.
nix all mothers should begin by the
their daughters are ten years old to
b them the rudiments of this branch
busehold work. | am fully aware of
ELECTIONS urged by most mothers
ly, want of time if not want of time
(e part of the mother, want of time
|e part of the child. Many times it
want of inclination on the part of one
tn.
not let your child begin too soon on
or decorative work, but give her a
foundation by a thorough drill in
sewing while yet young enough to
ided by your instruction. With this
alton, all branches of ornamental
will be comparatively easy.
Fation is the best time to begin your
ction, for then the days are long
he duties of school have been laid
A suitable piece of work to begin
d pair of pillow cases, in the max
which the child learns to over
to hem and to make b~uttoh-holes.
when she is fresh, Don after
fast, having first cut out two pairs
es, one for yourself and one for
See that she is supplied with a
tile work-boX or basket, thimble,
and needles. Begin by basting
ase for her; then start together,
eginning hers. She will take great
n trying to have her work look as
5 yours. If her work is not well
advise her gently to pull it out and
over again; or, better still, tell her
II take it out for her while she
ut in the air for a little while.
ill come in with a clearer head
Eteadier hand than if scolded and
TO take out the uneven stitches.
she has finished the over-handing
4 cases. haste the hens and start
he hemming. Caution her to have
ches even but not too short, as
beginners) very short stitches are
be crooked.
n she comes to the button-holes
m for her, neatly overcasting the
Impress it upon her that she
E careful and take up very little of
IDS, as it makes a much heater
hole; then have her fasten the
rongly and evenly. Now let her
the buttons. and the pillow-case
led; and if you can tell her that
* is we'll done, she will be a very
and happy little girl. Do not
err to sew toe long at a time, and
ired and lose interest in her work
hurry her; and, above all, do not
impatient with her.
teach her to darn. Let her take
of her own stockings-the pail
smallest holes, for large holes
Encouraging to a beginner. In
make a neat darn, she must use
slender needle and cotton not toe
Use a china egg, and go back
h until the hole is covered; ther
e stitches. taking up every alter
cad, until the darn is as solid a:
nal material.
each her how to patch. Cut out
b. ragged parts, put on the patch
neatly the edges of both patel
nent; then have her hem dow
res carefully.
nding a torn place in a dress
r how to basic a piece of thu
ld~erneath, laying the edges OF
as near together as possible ant
down with a few fine stitches
rn back and forth with dainty
ehes till the rent is repaired. Lay
cloth over the darn and pres
OF iron.
ching a child to lay gathers, thu
is to pull them over the fingeI
# stroking them with a pin o
Always gather the work with
bread, draw up the thread a
possible, stick in the needle, ant
thread around so that it canno
Ike the gathers between the fore
d thumb of the left hand, an,