The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-10
WHEN THE DRESSMAKER .
COMES HINTS
Why Is Preferable Have at Home Rather Than
Renew Wardrobe Otherwise Preparations Which Should
s. Be Made in Advance-supplies Needed, Etc.
BY DORA MAY MORRELL
Copyright, 1904, by Joseph B. Bowles.

The question of being we'll clothed
is Of moment to every woman, and
justly so, since she is judged by what
she wears and since she expresses her
self whether consciously or otherwise
in her raiment. She who can cut, fit
and make her clothing is fortunate,
quite as much so as is she who can go
to first-class tailor or modiste and
order without further trouble the
gown she needs at the price she Will
pay, but the one is almost as rarely
found as the other. If a girl or
woman has the time to do her own
sewing she can invest no money where
it will bring larger and more satisfac-
tory returns than in learning the trade
of dressmaking for her own benefit.
There are many little things that one
must learn from a good dressmaker IT
she is to have. results that look pro-
fessional instead of home made.
For the average woman there are
three courses open when it comes to
renewing her wardrobe. She can go
to a shop and buy dress ready-made,
she can buy her goods and take them
for making to the average maker, or
she can have good woman sew for
her at home. To take the goods TO an
average dressmaker Is the most ex-
pensive Of the three, and likely to be
more unsatisfactory than either of the
other methods. No dressmaker will
make a. costume or gown as we'll and
cheapfy as it can be bought ready
made at any good house, where the
changes in fitting are made at small
cost
The arguments in favor of having
dressmaker at home are many. In
the first place one can sew with her,
doing basting, stitching on the ma
chine and taking lessons in good work
at the same time; there is an economy
in the first cost and also thru the OPP
portunity Of using Innings one has on
hand, bits Of silk, ETC.; also. one saves
a great deal in the year by. having her
pieces of Innings. goods and spools of
thread left over in her possession.
How much difference this makes one
will realize only after experience
shows her. The dressmaker who
comes to the house is much more
ready to use bits Of lace and ribbon
than Is her sister who has an estab-
lishment to keep up, and must there
fore be less economical of time and
goods. .-..... .....-.
There are two ways In which the
woman who wishes to be well dressed
at small expense will not economic
she will not buy inferior Innings nor
will she hire any but an expert dress
maker. Some Of those who go out by
the day in cities charge 81, Ind are
worth it in the style of their work. In
two days such a one will cut and fit
several gowns, and her employer or a
seamstress will do the simple work.
Almost as good is a skilful woman
who can fit and who will use any Of
the excellent patterns by which she
may get the design wanted. ..'-.-.- -,
Since the dressmaker is paid by the
day, the woman who engages her, if
she is wise, will have everything in
readiness for her when she arrives,
even to an idea of the way in which
the dress shall be cut If it is to be
made by pattern that should be at
hand. When the dressmaker is en-
gagged she should be consulted as to
the amount of Innings and findings
and these should all be provided at the
outset. It is poor economy to have to
go shopping while the dressm ake1
waits. Such trimmings as could moi
be bought before operations were be.
gun should be planned on the day that
the dressmaker comes and be bought
at once. H.. -t. go
One essential that is too often for.
gotten is a machine in perfect order
If one is without a machine this use
full household servant she may hire i
for a week for a dollar or less. L
one is the owner of machine she viii
see that it is we'll cleaned and OILED
the day before the dressmaker comes
for by taking 1t a day early she doe
not have to take the time for the tasl
when she might be working with he
dressmaker, and the oil is then pas
the dripping stage. Those who u.s.
machines know the irritating wa.
t,eops of Oil have Of appearing afte
tks machine has been well wiped ant
is supposed to be free from any sucI
danger. ...-.. r-.r ~ -r...
Prepare for the dressmaker b,