The Opelousas courier., 1896-01-04
MAKING OVER FUR GARMENTS.

MAKING OVER FUR GARMENTS
How Winter Wraps May b Removed nj
Home.
ut is one of the most aggravatina
things in the world" said the middle
aged mother of a large family, 'tt
have anything in the way Of fur made
over. For some reason Or other, wher
the dealer is called upon to pass hi:
opinion on a partly worn garment
whatever value one may fancy it ha:
disappears as if by magic, and one
simply goes out Of the shop with one
idea that the article is absolutely UNFIT
for anything but the rag-bag.
ut is really amazing how crushing
the verdict of these people Is on such
subjects. As a matter of fact, it does
moi take a very great deal of skill 81
n to make over a fur garment If
one brings a little reason and judy
ment into play. First of all, it is neces.
sary to have a very sharp knife to cut
the fur, all of which is done on the
back or skin side. Whatever pattern
is required must be marked on with a
pencil, then the skin is cut according
to the marks.
"Not long since a lady had d very
large and handsome cloak lining OF
ermine. 1t was quite as good as new,
never having been worn but once or
twice, but had lain away among 2ncess
trail tinery. Upon asking the advice of
n ~furrier, she was told that the fur was
WORTH but very little; that she might
possibly use it for trimmings or some
thing, but, in a commercial sense, it
had no valp6 whatever. Disguised and
disappointed, she went home with her
parcel, and after recovering from the
blow, made up her mind to see what
she could do with it herself. Using a
little mother-wit and a great deal of
care, she fashioned a cape-lining frous
the contemptuously treated material
that was the envy of ell her friends"
Most ermine Is made up in strips,
and in order to make the best of it
it is we'll to rip these strips apart.
Bach one will then contain a row of
black tails. which are the distinguish.
ing features of tn is fur. For the pres
ent style of cape, one may take accu-
rate measures, cut cutalittle V-shaped
piece from the top edge, sew up the
place, then split the lower edge and
insert the V. This gives the circle
necessary for the cape. Of course, this
may be a slow and tedious process,
but it brings the desired result and
dtilizes the material to tho best ad-
vantage. In order to shape the lining
properly, the cloth or an inner lining
should be cut of precisely the size.
Spread this on a table and haste the
FUR on as fast rs it is finished, fire.
ruently spreading it out and smooth
ing it to see that it is in symmetrical
form. When the lining is finished, it
should be nearly or quite an inch mar
rover than the circle OF the outside.
This is necessary, because If it is as
wide by measure, when the garment is
on, the lining wiz, hang full and in
terfere with the fit of it. If one has a
skirt form, it is a good idea to put the
cape upon this, having drawn in the
belt tape to the smallest limit, then
shake the material and pat it smooth
ly, putting in an occasional fine needle
or a stitch of fine thread to keep it in
place. 1t must be only just 50 much
smaller as to be smooth. IF It is too
tight the outside will bag and be un-
graceful.
In finishing fur Innings the edges
should be turned in and sewed down
with a tape. just how this is done one
may best ascertain by ripping a few
stitches in a handsome fur garment
and examining the way in which tile
edges are turned. The stitches can
easily be replaced, ard the knowledge
acquired in this way is worth all the
trouble it costs.-N. Y. Ledger.