The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-03-22
OLD DRESSES GOOD AS NEW.
Response to Letters-Pretty Dinner
corsage and TrImming-The
Ghost of the BustIe.
Correspondence Of the Press

NEW YORK, March co. have re-
ceived several letters, sent at different
times, and from different parts Of Che
country, asking if l could not suggest
some way of making over old dresses SO
that they will look just like new, and
other demands of a similar nature.
Among them one young girl says hhe
has yard and quarter of very old
fashioned brocaded satin. This she says
is in three wide stripes, two broca6ed
and one plain black satin, and she waits
to make something out of it, not pansls,
which she could wear with a plain blSck
satin skirt evenings; and this satin is
very "shiny" in spots, but it is all She
has for best dress, and at present She
cannot afford another
She should take her satin skirt apart
and lay the pieces on fiat surface and
rub them with piece of clean flannel,
dipped in good, sharp cider vinegar.
Leave the pieces to dry where they are,
and do not iron them at all. When dry
the satin will look like new and be firm,
and not one pin hole will be seen.
upon the former shape Of the skirt in re-
making it. A perfectly plain skirt is
quite as fashionable as draped one; in
deed, more so. The skirt done will re-
pay the young worker for all her pains
in taking it apart and in remaking it. She
really makes it in every way just as hand
some as new one. 1t is a mistake to do
this in slipshod manner, for it will not
show anything but botch.
The old satin brocade can then be made
up into bodice after the style in the
illustration, which is at once simple and
very girlish. The sleeves are of the plain
stripe, while the others are utilized for
the waist. The arrangement of the lace
at the shoulders can be left off if pre-
ferred, and l should certainly prefer If
it was mine.
The wide lace down the fronts should
be left there, if the maker has any. If
not, the escurial can be gotten very
cheaply now, and it will only require
five-eighths of a yard. Passementerie
trimming is also suitable material, and
the young lady who has this corsage to
wear with plain black satin skirt may
call herself very fortunate If she does
not like the neck open, half yard of
tulle or crepe lisse will fill the neck in
and look lovely.
Black silks can be treated in the same
manner, and the texture even seems to
become firmer and richer under it.
Colored silks, however, must not be
treated with the vinegar, otherwise the
color will be injured.
Cashmere, cameIs hair and all strictly
pure wool goods can be washed and
froned on the wrong side and they will
look as though just bought as long as
thread lasts. But the garment must be
picked apart and washed in bark water,
after which the pieces should be rinsed
in warm water to which little ammonia
and bluing have been added, this last
only when the material is black or white.
As soon as the goods are about two
thirds dry they should be carefully
pulled into shape and placed face down
on the ironing table and moderately
hot iron used. Do not fold the pieces
until quite dry; otherwise they win
crease. Hot iron should never touch
Six or Satln.
The lady who wants to dress we'll on a
small income has, indeed, sad task and
one requiring great care and self sacri-
fee, but each should prefer to wait a
long time to collect money by small de-
grees and buy material of the best quail
ty, and make over and over the old until
there Is nothing of it left.
have placed by the foundation skirt
the ghost Of the hustle in the form Of a
petticoat made Of pale gray wash surah,
trimmed with deep fiat band and ruff
fes of figured silk. At the bottom are
four pinked out founces which hold the
bottom of the dress out in easy fullness.
Under each Of the rufies in the,back is
a crinoline or horsehair ruffle which
holds the dress out in pleasingmanner.
This skirt will be worn in warmweather
under cambria ones to hold out the thin
summer materials.
will try and learn few new wrinkles
as to the best and most economical man.
ner to utilize all your husbands old coats
before write again. 1t is not to be sup
posed that fashion writer would ever
be reduced to making such herself, now.
Is 1t?