Los Angeles herald., 1891-06-19
HOW TO MAKE GREEK DRApERY.

tTOW ~ Wftr\G OnGGN DnAFGhr.
But These Directions Are Not for the
Very Fat or the Very Lean.
It is whim just now to be photo
graphed in Greek costume The idea is
q good one, but how it is carried outl
The average woman has voluminous
eccentricity of cheese cloth, made with
much looping and several pieces of cord.
This she puts on over corsets and stiff
skirts. She looks like 'study of a
woman in pillow" when she is photo
graphed. The proper Greek or Roman
dress for picture is made most simply,
and lesson in draperies is good thing
to learn. Use soft cheese cloth, or bet
ter still crepe or China silk. If the stuff
is forty inches wide one breadth will do
for the front and one for the back If
the material is narrow sew two breadths
together for the front and two together
for the back. Run the two pieces on the
same drawing string, letting the ends of
the string come together in the middle
of the edge of the front. Here cut down
slit in the front so you can get into the
gown.
Now, get into it. Adjust it SO that it
is properly low necked. 1t should be
drawn well down into a pointed neck,
front and back. Tie piece of tape
around yourself well under the armpits
and bust line The neck should be drawn
down almost to this belt. Yes; the dress
is open at the Sides We have not come
to that yet. Have some one cut the
front length, allowing for hem, so that
1t falls we'll to the floor. The back should
be little longer Now the sides are
sewed up in seam that stops just under
the arm. Thus, you see, an armhole is
left.
Now for sleeve that shall cover the
under side of the arm at the shoulder.
Cut long tongue shaped piece of goods.
Instead of squaring off the upper end,
slant off that end into another point.
The sleeve shape then is like two trian-
gular pieces set base to base, the one tri-
angle being very long and the other very
much shorter. The short triangle doubles
down under the arm, and is tucked into
the slit of the armhole, and there sewed
or pinned to the base ofssthe two tri-
angles, is drawn around the arm and
buttoned to the top of the shoulder. The
long triangle hangs. If you like, the
edges of the sleeve left hanging can be
buttoned together again further down
the arm. and the shape of the sleeve is
easily modified to suit such arrangement
Your Greek dress is finished now
Wear it over a closely fitting and rather
heavy low neck, woven under vest and
q skirt made of India silk or very soft
cashmere. The skirt hangs full and
soft and well to the floor in front and
almost dragging in the back. This skirt
should be made on deep yoke, or if not
the skirt should be drawn down over it
and securely pinned that no fullness at
the wristbands may betray through the
outer garment the presence of a skirt.
A chain of fat links or of medallions
linked together is worn to hide the tape
belt. The costume cannot be graceful
or Grecian unless corsets or stays are
discarded. The chain belt is drawn close
and up to the point of the neck, there
fastened, and thus serves to support the
figure and outline its contour. Another
belt may be worn which rests ON the
hips and droops low in front.
There should be no drapery except that
afforded by the folds in the gown.
These folds in the upper dress can be
drawn close about the knees, showing
the underskirt. In fact any classic eff
feet can be obtained. A word to finish.
Only woman with fine arms and shout
ders should attempt such dressing. The
very fat or the very thin will look better
in something else.-New York Sun.