The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1889-11-07
FARM, GARDEN AND
HOUSEHOLD.
Flannel.

PLANNERS flannel, vet or diy, and
mo of us are prone to agree with her
We rather regard flannel as something
with intrinsic vail quite diiie ent in its
standing from either cotton or silk. Elan
mel is luxury. IL IS III very last thiag
poor people can or 90 buy. Most persons
would be amazed t. know how many OF
our poorest people are without shred OF
II, even during our long, cold winters.
One painful instance of this kind stands
IN my mind as perpetual reminder. A
few years ago the health inspector visited
The schools of Chicago and examined the
arms of all the children who had failed
to comply with the law requiring renewed
vaccination certificates filled out before a
certain date. In my own division there
were fifteen children who had to be ey-
imiued, and rs they were quite little had
to unfasten and arrange their clothing.
Thirteen of these children had no flannel
on, this bitterly cold day in February.
Remember they were the little ones, and
invariably they are better clothed and
more tenderly cared for than the larger
ones. 1t was revelation to me which
has been confirmed many times since
have gone about among the wretched
houses of this poor district.
How is 1t with the "better OFF, people?
Flannel ii still a luxury. 1t is one of the
last things people afford, and the quality
IS much poorer comparatively tlan of any
other fabric that goes to make up the
wardrobe. Many persons who consider
themselves "quite nice" own but one fan
mel skirt while they have several tucked
and embroidered white cotton ones. As
for vests and drawers, they are of ordi
nary quality, mostly cotton, clumsily
made and worn rs dssagreeable necess
ty. Then they are worn until they are
worn out" as the common phrase has
it.; but 1t should rather be until they are
worn out Of"
People give away half-worn dresses,
cloaks or shoes, but how seldom do they
give away half-worn channels" 1t is be-
cause they are expensive and just as truly
because most OF US begrudge money for
that which ''does not show"
Every grade of underwear and flannel
fabrics may be found in our large stores,
from the coarsest cotton and wool to the
finest all wool There are undergarments
and skirtings so fine and dainty In text
ure and coloring rs to be almost p ,etic,
and must confess that they are more
attractive to me than silks or satins.
There is nicely about them that responds
to my refined tastes, just as music or pict-
ures or choice books do.
Flannel dresses are excellent for GER
tain kinds of wear, and when soiled they
can be washed and come out almost as
good as new. The chief objection to
them Is that they do soil very easily, be-
ing soft and thus catching grease and
dust; but they wear well.
Leaving the ordinary uses Of flannel. it
Is my purpose to give few suggestions
for rather unusual uses of it first for new
then for old.
II any one Is inclined to rheumatism
across shoulders or neck, or is subject to
colds upon the neck, 1t is well to sew a
niece- OF thick, good flannel across the
back Of the dress waist, inside of course,
and shaping 1t to the armhole and neck.
A very efficient protection against the
effect OF cold or change of water when
travelling is a red flannel band covering
the abdomen. 1t should be shaped well,
be made double, the seams turned inside
opened and pressed fiat, and be deep
enough to cover the entire abdomen.
Such band is invaluable to any one re-
covering from or subject to bowel
complaint Of any kind.
A small, flannel bag filled with hops
and wIung out of boiling water Is some
times wonderful In its power to soothe a
toothache, neuralgia headache or sharp
pain anywhere, and send the sufferer to
sleep. White flannel should be the kind
used, and the bag should be emptied,
dried and retilled again after once or
twice using.
The rubber bags for hot water, that are
fortunately 80 common in these days of
many comforts, are more agreeable to
the feet or other parts of the body II slip
ped into flannel bag, just fitting, with a
drawstring around the top. II one is In
clined to be very economical, she can
make such bag out of odd little rem
nants Of flannel and have 1t as "crazy" az
she perhaps will feel when she has pain
enough to make her use 1t. Mine is
made OF two kinds Of flannel yet is really
cheerful looking.
Before leaving the subject of new fan
mel let me say two things about flannel
skirts; First, the "the herring-b stitch
that must be put upon them is the incest
sort Of sewing work for little girls, as II
is easy, interesting and ''does quick :"
second, for economy's sake 1t is we'll to
make short flannel skirts straight rather
LHdu kOICus on tuht WITH Hall WOTu tnty
can be taken from the band and the back,
which has the harder wear, turned around
to the front. This latter Is especially q
satisfaction II the skirts are expensive
ones or embroidered
Old flannel has almost no end of uses
In its capacity as cleaner. For scrub
bling of all kinds 1t Is excellent, and for
polishing silver 1t Is almost as good as
channels skin.
Bandages Of old flannel should always
be on hand for sore throats and rheumatic
wrists or knees. | am economical, not
mean, when say that the three or four
inch hens Of old flannel skirts that are
finally ripped up for cleaning purposes,
are quite good for such bandages.
One final word and l am through. 1t
concerns the halfworn flannels that are
to be given to the poor, II one can afford
s""h luxurious giving. Have them we'll
nj led. "Stay" all the thin places with
large patches of new or partly worn fan
Il" Darn the tiny holes In solid parts
with wool or cotton as you would darn
ha'i'ry. See that buttons are on. In
81 ~, make your gift Of value to the
needy receiver. 1t will have q two-fold
Tue If thus mended; first, for the wear
and warmth In 1t; second. for the object
lesson In thrift that plainly says, "Gather
up the fragments that nothing be lost"
Good Housekeeping.