Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-17
HOW To MAKE
SUMMER DRESS

The good matrons Of old New York.
when 1t was distinctively a thrifty Dutch
town. took the month Of February for
their summer sewing. AS soon as the
holiday sweets were digested and the
house cleared of the festive greens, they
brought forth from chest and drawer,
yards and yards of white goods u of
which they fashioned the summers wear
ing apparel.
Nor was 1t all of home spinning. Mulls
were brought from England, ginghams
from Holland, and, off in the hills Of
Rip Var Wrinkle, back Of the Palisades,
stood a fine mill, turned by a natural
stream, where was woven many a yard
of French tarletan. thin goods as fine as
q fairy wing, to be worn next summer by
the rosy checked girls Of Manhattan.
This custom has descended, and to-
day, il you happen of a morning in the
homes of the best matrons of Greater
New. York, you will see a cheerful sight.
In the largest living room in the house,
with her materials spread out around her,
sits a busting little seamstress, while
surrounding her are the members Of the
family. mother and daughters, assisting
n doing her bidding. The seamstress
measures the goods and cuts them out to
be basted by one of the daughters; aft
err which the little seamstress does the
fitting,' leaving the finishing for the will
Ing fingers Of mother and daughters. In
this thrifty way dozens of light sum-
fner dresses can be turned out n the
cost Of making extends little beyond the
first price of the goods, for the seamstress
works at So per day n less.
GETTING THEM MADE.
There are visiting dressmakers in New
York who command IS per day. They are
expert filters and are well posted in the
newest modes. One of their qualifications
is an annual trip to Paris. They call
themselves "tailors," and their services
are sought for, the most elegant of tailor
made gowns, as we'll as for very elaborate
wedding and reception dresses. They are
worth their price, when you reflect that
for similar work you may have to pay
the price of 500 at any very fashionable
ladies' tailoring establishments.
But for the summer dress the little
If she be a graduate OF a large house,
as she should be, she will do her work
well.
Tit selection Of the materials that are
to be rebuilt into August dresses is q
serious n for the person who under
takes it. Ones own taste is scarcely re-
liable, for the goods of the coming sum-
mer are so new and so strange that it is
impossible to picture them made up. 1t
is much safer to observe the ready-made
models, to study the fashion pictures, and
to follow the regulation lines adapting
them slightly to figure. personal coloring
and purse.
Lace cloth is the name given to the
new summer fabric which will be most
worn. It has openings regularly cut in
the material, and so resembles lace. Lace
cloth can be worn over a silk slip. Or
ribbons can be run through a silk lining.
1t is capable Of such a variety Of treat
ment!
A FAVORITE STYLE.
A modiste. when asked what would be
her fAvorite mode for gummer lawns.
replied that il she were making one thou
sand dresses for the summer girl she
would make nine hundred OF them with
separate waist and skirt. Then he e1'