Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-11-03

NOLA M VAkuiN DttuuNiots aIlss Muluc.
FROCkS FOR GIRLS OF ALL AGES.
The American child is noted the world
over for It's pretty clothes, but even the
American mothers puzzle over the frock-
ing Of girls from eight to twelve and
from that up TO sixteen years Of age.
Under eight the styles are babyish, and
provided the skirt is sufficiently short
aud the waist amply long there is no
trouble. The frocks may be Of pretty
colors and not wear out any sooner nor
show soil any the easier. These little
frocks should not be overturned, and
care should be taken to make them ap.
pear both youthful and suitable. Many
of them are made low-necked and short
sleeved, but there Is danger ia this for
delicate children.
The deep hens now In vogue leave
ample material for the necessary "let-
ting down." In buying frock get suf-
ficient for new sleeves, as they are the
first part to wear out. They can be
heightened on an old dress by piecing
them down and adding row Of in
sertion or cuff OF embroidery.
SOME GENERAL RULES.
The belt or lower edge of the waist OF
a child's frock Is usually worn at the
natural wsist-line, aud is fastened in the
back until the child has reached the age
of sixteen. The sleeves are either made
full leg-of-mutton or with puff at the
top with the bishop or full shirt sleeve:
for misses. Skirts are made according
to the age and size of the child tall
girl OF four wearing the usual six years
length in her skirts. Until n child !,
three years old little frocks are worn Al
long as they can be without interfering
with the child's motions; then the skirt
is cut of like the little old woman's IL
Mother Goose, until il Is ''up to the
knees" in the French fashion. English
children still TRIP over the very Ions
Kate Greenaway frocks. Every TIVE
years the skirt Is heightened an incl
until at fourteen IL is couple OF inches
above the shoe tops, and reaching quite
To them at sixteen. Where II Is possibl,
girls are dressed entirely In white unit
they are three years old, but this means
many changes and large washing, anC
! | cannot advise any style OF dress tina
will entail much work for the mother
Rather let her take time TO rest and dres
her children in palmer garments. Chill
dren's skirts are best when made |,
straight full widths with the back lai,
in French gathers, one long stitch ant
one short stitch alternately. The hem
| should be from four 10 six inches II
depth. Skirts are fuller than Of yore
five yards Is the usual width for a six
t.en-yesr-old girl, four for n twelve
three for a six, and two hreadths 81
wide cashmere constitute the skirt for
tot Of three years.
TIlE FIRST CHANGES.
Girls from three 10 six years wea
gingham, challie, serge, cashmere, plaid'
crepon aud fancy wooden mixture
through the fall and winter. Cottol
cheviot is also a seryicesble material 70
every day frocks. White guimpes ar
not a. much worn az they have been.
dress Of checked bingham has the Skin
of four straight widths gathered 10 IN
edge OF the round, high waist, which !
laid in six tucks In front, three on eacl
side turned toward the centre. the bac'
being fastened with small pearl buttons
Outlining a tiny round yoke is ruiile O
the material fully six inches deep an
edged with Hamburg insertion. Thi
ruille is cut straight, gathered full an
separates three inches across the from
and back. Sleeves close-fitting TO tn
elbow and then In full gathered puff
The collar band OF white insertion.
pretty chsllie gown Is made up wit
similar effect. The waist Is cut square
necked, and a blue silk yoke finishe
with little crush collar Is inserted
The ruflle il finished with three rows o
baby blue ribbon, and where il ends o
each side of the front and back Is place,
rosette Of ribbon. \ blue and whit
striped ilannelette is made OF leg of NUT
ton sleeves. aud low blouse waist hay
ing a frill OF blue aud white embroider
around the low neck Sleeves In pu
70 the elbow and plain below, with turn
over cuffs OF blue edged with the EN-
btoidery. Tucked yoke OF plain blu
having a little turnover collar edge
With narrow embroidery. The neck
and sleeves OF these dainty little frock
are finished very much as are those mad
for older girls.