Evening journal., 1898-05-27
THE HOME DRESSMAKER.
With Certain Conveniences She Can
Save Much Time and
Money.

necessary 10 nave dt dldl tAISAN SCI
apart for a sewing room. II is all very
well to argue that one may get on very
we'll and sew in the dining-room, or
sitting room, and one woman used the
upper hall, which had o large front
window, for this purpose, and, aside
from the litter and confusion 1t made,
il answered the purpose very well. But
the skirts would take up scraps and
drag them along the hall, sweep them
down over the lower banisters, and be-
sprinkle the lower hall with dust, lint
and fluff to the very front door.
If there is a convenient room in the
extension, or some not very public
place, the house can be kept much
cleaner than when any portion Of such
work must be done in any Of the run
ways of the dwelling. There are fam
lilies where all of the sewing is done by
the members thereof. Under such cir
cumstauces IL is their due to have q
comfortable and convenient place to
sew. IF living rooms are used for this
purpose there is always more or less
cleaning up to be done every night TO
make the room presentable. Then In
the morning, more or less time is con
sumed in getting the things about
again, and in rearranging work that
has, of necessity, been gotten out of
shape by being handled, folded and un-
wrapped. Fine garments should be
spread smoothly upon table and COW
cred over night with q thick cloth. I'm
der no circumstances should they be
folded or hung up unless they are Of
such character that they may be
pinned out fat upon sheets or blankets.
This Is one of the Gnnoyances of sew
ing anywhere and everywhere. II IS
easy enough when the new house Is
built to allow for this convenience, and
surely no room will more literally pay
for itself. 1t should have plenty Of
light, and If located on the north side
of the house, the better. Two or more
windows ought TO be provided-one for
the sewing machine, and another for
the chair of the seamstress. A row Of
closets, with doors that will close tight
ly, and at least one row of dSep
drawers, are practically Indispensable.
In the closets may be stored all of the
out-of-season garments, and in the
drawers the thousand and one items OF
pieces, materials for made-overs and
sewing conveniences of all sorts.
A comfortable chair and an ample
cutting table are among the needfu'
furnishings. One of the very best
tables for this purpose is an old-fash-
ioned extension dining table, which ono
may pick up at an auction sale or sec
ond-hand store. Such a table may b,
closed in to take up but little space
or may be 50 drawn out as TO accom-
modate full train or the princess
which is one Of the established fashions
for the coming year. II outside help I,
employed il is well before beginning
the seasons sewing TO prepare for i
| by making out lists of articles re
/ Quired, and seeing that they are read.
on demand. A sewing woman ma
easily lose an hour or two in waiting 70
the lining or trimming that must b
sent for, or she may not have anything
/ ready for immediate handling, and /
obliged 20 walt until new piece 4
brought TO her. This, IN the case o
high-priced help, is exceedingly un
| profitable, and should be guarded
against as suggested. It IS best 10 de
eide positively what garments are {,
be made, and how; and unless the dress
maker brings her own patterns the,
should be purchased as we'll.
Where a very high-class dressmal1e
is employed it is quite an economy {.
engage an assistant for her, or have he
bring one. This person binds seams
puts on bone castings, hens down fac
ings, and assists generally in all part
of the work where her principal cal
utilize her services. Sometimes mem
Der of the family does this work, whlcl
is great saving In many ways. 1t i
often the case that two outsiders vii
waste a great deal Of time In talk, when
if some of the household were present
matters would go on much more rap
idly.
1t is quite the custom in many fam
lilies for the mother or one of III
daughters 10 inform herself in the ar
of dressmaldng, and to cut, baste an
fit all garments. as well as assist Il
their finishing. In this way the sea
sons sewing can be rushed, and if
high-priced dressmaker is required sh
can accomplish a great deal in a YER
short time.-N. Y. Ledger.