The Washington times., 1894-04-03
The IndiSpen-
sable Apron.

Around the house, until the daily duties
are over WITH housekeepers wear aprons of @
two-thirds length of lawn, nainsookor dim
ity, trimmed with u hem four inches deep
and clusters OF tucks divided into threes by
insertion or rows of feather-stitching, says
Emma III. Hooper in the Ladies' Home Jour
nal. This last trimming can be done with
fax or cotton on the garment or the ready
made be had by the piece OF twelve yards.
costing from fifteen to thirty cents a piece.
The belt and long, wide strings, which are to
be tied at the center back. are of the material,
and if a more fanciful effect is wanted ruff
the bottom.
A pocket on the right side is Indispensable
with all sizes and kinds OF aprons.
pretty apron made OF lawn is trimm ed
with three clusters of five tueks, each divided
by TWO rows of feather stitching and edged
with a rufIie of embroidery. The belt IS also
feather-stitched, and tiny ruflie OF en-
broiderv is gathered with the top OF the apron
and forms an unusual finish. Strings of the
material and a square pocket laid in double
box-plait and caught with narrow bow OF
the material.
APRONS FOR ARTISTS.
As paint leaves never-to-be-forgotten
stain tits well for the artist to cover the dress
entirely with an apron OF blue denim, brown
Holland or gingham. Trimming seems out
of place. though some artists choose an edg-
ing of white braid or 4 bias band OF the goods
piped with white muslin. sensible pattern for
an artists apron has a full skirt gatheredto n
pointed yoke, with a baby waist cut with a
deer. .V-shapei neck. shirred to form standing
ruffle The lower part is shirred to the upper
part Of the yoke, at outer back and front. and
fastens with buttons at the back. The sleeves
are gather full az the top. and while taperiug
at the wrists are sufficiently full to go over
anv dress sleeve; they are shirred at the
hand. leaving ruffie. This apron, which
must meet at the back, requires four widths
of twenty-seven inch goods.
THE DREssMAKER's APRON.
Dressmakers and milliners while at work
must wear aprons to protect their dress. to
keep the materials clean that they are using,
and to give them tidy appearance when in
terrupted by customer. White aprons OF
cambria lawn. or nainsook and made of n
center front and two gored side pieces reach
ing nearly to the foot of the skirt. are usually
worn for this purpose. Such aprons need
only deep hem. though clusters OF tucks
and bands OF inserting are never out of place
as trimming The belt and wide strings are
of the material. and large pocket on either
side is an absolute necessity. The waitress
apron is often bought ready made for this use
and large pockets added.
THE CLERK AND TYPEWRITER.
Fast black cambric at eight cents and sateen
at twenty cents are worn by clerks in general
retail stores and typewriters, both of whom
would soon ruin their clothes without such u
protection. These are simple in construction
aud must be Of fast black material, to
prevent any unpleasant rubbing or staining.
The aprons are OF two widths simply hemmed,
gathered TO belt and either buttoned in the
back or tied with long and wide strings.
They are provided with pocket and reach TO
the bottom OF the skirt.
FOR KITCHEN WEAR.
Striped and checked gingham aprons of
two breadths simply hemmed and with a
belt and strings of the goods may be bought
for 25 cents. which is remarkably cheap,
when We consider that they contain two yards
and quarter OF Scent gingham. After add
ing the cotton, the apron costs many a weary
woman 20 cents. and she might snatch an
hours rest or reading if she would buy it for
25 cents.
Striped gingham aprons trimmed with
bias band OF the goods are little more orna-
mental. Aprons of this sort are also excel
lent for wear when sewing. The sewing
apron proper has gored front and side pieces
in one-piece style, the latter meeting at the
back after forming a curve below The waist
line and fastening with one button. The
waist or bib is fitted with two darts and the
gored side seam. with two long tabs passing
to the back OF the neck where they button.
The large pocket is placed at a convenient
distance for the hands in the outer front and
he mi la IN form iyis
ions.
Such an apron without the pocket being d.
yided is very convenient for use while wash
ing, the clothespins being carried in the
pocket while hanging out the clothes. For
this purpose aprons of light weight or table
oilcloth are urrivaled. They should have the
edges bound with skirt braid. Thece aprons
protect the front of the dress on wash days.
The next choice for a wash apron would be
striped ticking made in the same manner and
with the deep pocket. Surely when aprons
are useful for so many occasions, and when
they may be made Of such a variety of fabrics,
We may well call them Indispensable.
WHAT CHILDREN WEAR.
White wash material, plain, striped and
checked, trimmed with white or co!ored
embroidery, the patented friiling or cotton
lace. as torchon or Valencieanes, are worn by
children of to ~ years. It is no louger
customary to wear aprons at all times and
places in lieu of dresses or TO hide shabby
1rcck. Now they are worn by city children
only while at play or during the morning
hours, though country lassies still wear them
to school, which is sensible plan that should
never have fallen into disuse Caprice is
found with as homely a matter as a useful
apron. age not influencing the effect. as
school child of 10 years will not wear an apron
without vigorous protest if ''the other girls
don't wear them" At some of the large
boarding-schools aprons of black silk or
white wash goods are insisted upon. The
former naturally are preferred. as they do not
increase the wash list. Surah and taffeta are
the neatest materials for black silk aprons in
tended to be worn by school girls. and consist
OF a gored front and sides. with belt and
ribbon strings. one pocket and simple hem
or rows of Misunderstanding for finish on the
entire edge. Others will have a row OF heavy
inserting let in above the hem.
APRONS FOR YOUNG GIRLS.
Tiny girls wear full, gathered skirts sewed
to waist shaped like a skeleton yoke and
edged with a frill of the prettv colored en-