The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-01-14

Il he Designing Work Is Really a Great
School Of Art.
Mr. D. A., TONE KiNss ON TEXTILE WORK.
II viii not Alone Benef; the Youth of the State
of Both Sexes But Also the Present
Workers In Many
Wafs.

Mr.. ID. A.. T%ompkins, Of Charlotte, a
member of the Board of Visitors of the
A. and NJ. College. and of the firm design
jng the Textile Building of the College,
which is now practically completed was in
the city yesterday. He is an enthusiast
in regard to the great work to be done
in this new building. and yesterday spoke
of the great possibilities afforded the
youth Of the State, both male and fe-
male. by the development of textile skill.
The work has been thoroughly done
on the building" he said. 1t is one
of the best to be found anywhere for its
purpose, the teaching of textile work.
\ Past experience in this country and in
Europe has been built on, and though a
comparatively small amount of money
has been spent the best possible results
have been obtained"
"One of the difficulties in the way of
there are too many mills working on
plain goods and the same goods. We
have reached q point where it is essent-
4 ll Ificit We SnOUlu MAKE DGIltI SOOIS dllt
u greater variety of them. The pre-re-
quisite for this is the instruction of the
youth of the State in designing, in dyeing
and in fancy weaving in order that they
may start in the work at the point
where the present. knowledge and skill
leaves off.
BY this it must not be understood
that the idea is to have the graduates
of tho tavtjla school to S1,pprcpAa tho
present workers. On the contrary the
purpose is TO carry into the present
work and works that knowledge and skill
of various kinds of goods which Will give
opportunity 10 the present workers to
make their profits and to cease competing
with each other go severely.
The usefulness of the school is not
TO be confined TO the boys, but courses of
study peculiarly interesting and attrac-
tive to girls will be arranged. The course
in designing is really a course in art
and the business of designing patterns
for fabrics is very profitable. 1t is the
same sort OF occupation as that of max
ing pictures, but in addition to the mere
picture making the designers must pro-
.duce pictures that are adapted to weav-
ing. In order to do this the designer
must, Of course. have skill in drawing
oud tpioILlS ana must KNOW lndt THIS
can be carried out with the loom.
In fancy weaving on hand looms there
is also a good opportunity to develop a
business for individual work at home. If
one understands how to use a hand loom
it will be found just as useful as a sew
ing machine, and the product of the loom
can be sold at u greater profit than
the product of the sewing machine.
Tn designing of fabrics for the loom
Is no more difficult than designing pat
terms for hand embroidery or crochet
Work which ladies do so we'll. In this
department of the y. and NJ. college there
i Il great opportunity for the young wo-
men OF tie State, an opportunity to i'm
prove themselves OF which | am sure they
will take hold"
President Winston, Speaking along this
same line, said yesterday that Nr.
Tompkins had told him of how one North
ern girl had utilized her skill. She
designed shirt waists, and made them
on her own loom, giving a guarantee to
each customer that no duplicate would
be made. For these $25 apiece was re-
ceived. In this way many other special
articles for wear aud house use could
be made, valuable because no one else
would have like articles.
One young lady is now taking the
course in daidying at the A. and NJ, and
as soon as the Textile Department is
ready many applications are expected.
In that department there are now fifty
students.
over $500 worth of machinery is in
the building. and but for the lack Of a
heating plant work would begin at once.
In eight weeks. however, with warm
weather, work will be begun and goods
VIII be made. The opening of the de-
I"rtment IS looked forward to with
great interest by students. instructors
and the public.