The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-06-11


maieer rather dispsls this delusion, and
wenen are beginning to see that in or
dor to dress well Oh a small income it is
necessary for thoIn to know something
OF the art OF dressInaking.
A number of interesting institutions
where women can learn to make their
own, clothing and learn q tr2dc at the
ssnie time have recently been siGrted
in New York. The largest and most
sucesssful is managed by xl en- terpris-
ing little woman who started teaching
her system in n small bedroom and has
since enlarged it until it now occupies
an entire floor i'll the Art Interchange
building.
Innumerable little schools are Cur
ried on throughout the city for the
purpose of teaching dressmaiting as Il
trade to women who wish to follow
the profession, but this school is unique
TITS place where women go to make
their own gowns under the instruction
OF the best cutters and filters in the
country.
The school is divided into three de-
Partments. The first and most impor-
tant is thnt for the making of gowns;
the second for the production OF artistic
millinery, and the third show room
of the pupils work.
1t is in the dress cutting department
where the foundation OF the work is
laid. In this room there are from 75 to
nc women OF all ages at work. The
pupils vary IN age fromu2 to 80. They
receive individual instruction and are
taught to cut by the actual measure of
the form, which is taken by Il tape line
,.Fhe drafting is done by square laid
directly npon.th material, thus avoid
ing the use of patterns. The result of
this ingenious little instrument has en-
tireSy abolished the Gtting-room. 1t is
SO accurate in its measurements that n
gown cut from them almost never needs
altering.
The first glimpse into this room is
not particularly interesting. 1t gives
one the impression that it is like am
one of hundred of its kind that may
be found within radiusof half mile,
but by giving few of the groups of
workers individual attention it is easy
to see that there sanuch to bcGound of
uncommon intaNst. Oh some cutting
tables to the left of the main entrance
are piles of exquisite velvet, luocadcs
ana sillss. These are suIroun lcd hy
merry, chatting women, who are b,lsilv
discussing the fashion plates In some
French periodicals.. But l newer took
o stitch in my life." says one, land /
am quite 4spre that should only ruin
the material by cutting it. Dcnr't Won
think" she adds, turning to tine head
cutter, that l would better heDyin on
something cheaper, say cambria or a
ginghamp"
"As you like It," replied thes good
natured cutter with a shruR Of her
French shoulders; TASK your friend in
the pink waist. and see what she
thinka"
The friend in the pink waisttian-
nounces that the garment she is at
work on is the first.s has ever made,
hnq that under the supervision Of the
Gutter and finisher, she would have no
dear OF attemptinga ten-dollnr brocade.
ihis announcement gives the rest OF
Inc group courage aled during the next
niaeen minutes nothing is heard from
that quarter of the room but the clip.
dip, of the sharp scissors.
Ehese woTeu," says the mistress OF
the establishment. ARE IRON an up
town hotel. they formed, a little cir
cla, and have COZ fe down here TO make
ther summer clothes. The girls at the
table below arc working girls who
come here to lea Ena trade, aud inciden-
tally do SO lsy making their own
clothes" In.she hands Of these girls
were o'be fotnd spowy-wl,ite under
ryysar, pretty iinglams and fresh, crisp
5pnsHns, One, aa'glcl aboutssiNeen, was
IbpsilY engage1 in tlraping the white
lIafe over snq Try nuns wsiIing. It was
isgiYsntly graduating gown for her.
lsen
"a Q eorner,a littletapart from the
others stood tNo young girls. The
ftaatest was standing to have a white
silk skirt d1'aPsa on her. AS soon as
theFlast pin was placed she stepped be.
fore q long minor to gein the effect OF
her new gown. 'It Isn't quite right,
said girl behind helS with 1nischiev.
Onssmile.
Why, what is the fmatter with it?'
inquired the antious ,wearer.
II needsfEhe orar He blossoms an.
swered the first spe pker, as she buried
her laughing face IN pile of white
snus1in.
The girl before the mirror blushed
and was about to trhp away, when u
third girl came forwayI wearing a lace
ven, viii CHI she pinn eI.on to the golden
hair. N wreath of orange blossoms
aui,teup ded this, and. before the school