The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1902-05-06
THE MODERN LAYETTE.
The Average Baby's OUTFIT Costs ON,
Hundred Dollars.

The Average Baby's Outht Costs One
Hundred Dollars.
One hundred dollars Is the price OF
the average baby'S wardrobe. A lay
cite that was bought in Paris recently
cost $1,000, and there is society of
charitable ladies' that finds II possible
for $40 to make up a perfectly ade-
quate wardrobe for babies with whom
dress is not matter of supreme mo-
ment; yet the average mother who
does her duty by her infant is Obliged
to spend not less than 500 on nice
layette, inclusive of the basket and
bath tub. as well MS the bibs This
seeming extravaganza is due to ira.
dltiOn that babies shall be dressed in
handmade clothes and it is the eX-
penses of the hand WORT; that makes
baby clothes so costly. The hundred
dollar outfit does not include uuckS,
real lace or embroidery. but it does in
cludc thoroughly comfortable though
far more limited trouseeau than
mothers used to think necessary.
Dresses. gowns. bands and caps by
the dozen are no longer boarded up
against baby's arrival and the old es-
Innate for q complete layette is cut
down 10y half, while of that half the
major portion is made on improved
patterns. The clothes have been great
~ reduced in bulk. and what the baby
evidently appreciates most is that they
are arranged to slip off and on with
the least possible trouble. Nearly all
the Gannel used i'm the modern infants
clothes is Of the new variety that is
guaranteed against Shrinkagc by a iu-
dicious Interviewing OF cotton: the
bands that are bound first about their
bodies are merely pinSed at the edges
instead of being broadly hemmed. ana
by day gertrude and by night a pin
ming blanket take the place OF the
clumsy flannel petticoatS.
a gertrude is Il nice little flannel sliD
that goes next after the short, woven
undervest and The body band. II is
sleeveless ana low necked. and faStens
on the shoulders, so that when II is to
be adjusted or removed hand sliDped
under the wrapper or night gown ur-
fastens it, and the garment is drawn
down ana off without the least difficult
ty. At night the pinning blanket takes
the place Of the gertrude. and is as
easily extracted. should need arise.
and in the laudable effort to reduce the
superfiuous weight of clothing. hens
are, If possible done away with every
where. The skirts of the best made
garments are completed by buttonholad
scallopS, and even the pinning blanket.
which is split open all the way down
the side and folded up and pinned back
at night, so as to hold the lower part
of the body in a sort of capaclous nan
mel sack, is scallopcd and buttonholcd
Oh all its edges.
Al the big shops where infant sup
plies have an extensive department all
to themselves the most charming nal.
metto travelling baskets are sold. These
baskets are square and made wholly
OF bleached palmetto woven upon a
framework of tough light wood. In
side fit two trays and yet there is
space enough for packing every stitch
OF the layettc ana the baby's toilet ar
ticies beside Two stout brass locks
hold the lid fast ana when in actual
travelling service the basket wears a
slip cover of white canvas reinforced
and bound With white wash leather.
The top tray of this basket is lined
with blue satcen. covered with white
muslin ruilled with Valenclcnncs. and
into pockets and under flaps and straps
fit all the blue celluloid toilet articles.
Last. but nowadays not least in the
Important items of an infants outfit
are the white Turkish towcIlino, or