Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-23
S HADOW PAIN TIN G.
A NEW ADoRNMENT FOR SUM-
MFR DRESSES.
One Way to Secure a Hand-Painted
Frock at Small
Cost.
Written for, The Evening Star.

| Written for, The Evening Star.
Hand-painted gowns and dress accesso-
i'ries decorated in a similar manner are con-
s.dered quite exclusive, and will be fashion
able for summer wear. Not only silks, but
inexpensive muslins, lawns and organizes
are transformed into beautiful fabrics by
this simple means. AS the method is within
the reach of any one, the deft-fingered wo-
man can obtain surprising results
An exquisite party gown recently seen was
worn by a young girl, who whispered into
the ears of an admiring friend that the
tire costume cost less than S15. This state
ment was explained satisfactorily by the in
formant, who said that she had decorated
the costume herself.
The dress was soft white diaphanous af-
tair made of organdy, and with row after
row of billowy founces. The entire gown
was sprinkled with violets, single and in
clusters. soft white tichu of lace hung in
long loops in front, and at the end of each
one was suspended a bunch of violetS made
of ribbon, and tied with violet louisine silk
bows Violets were also painted the
white kid slippers worn with the gown, and
three or four stray violets We're painted on
The white fan.
This effect was obtained by the use of
violet dye, which was applied with a brush,
after the flowers were outlined on the fabric.
Blotting paper was placed underneath the
cloth while painting it, to absorb all mois
ture and to prevent the dye from spreading.
The material was then left to dry, and af
terward another coat of lighter violet was
put on the blossoms to shade them. A
green leaf here and there added to the
artistic effect of the gown.
1t is a good plan to experiment first on
cheap muslin before attempting anything
more elaborate. There may be some trouble
at first with the dye water color paints
spreading but with little care this difficult
ty can be overcome.
One of the prettiest gowns seen decorated
painted with wild roses. The white NOUS
seine boa edged with ruching, had a wild
rose dotted here and there on the edge. A
white silk head scarf, edged with three
inch chiffon hounce, was also decorated
with roses.
One Way to Do 1t.
Another clever idea for painting on fab
rics is to take a daintily colored picture of
the desired size and design and lay it upon
the cloth Prick holes in the picture with a
needle following the outlines closely. Then
take small bag filled with lampblack or
fine crayon and rub over the perforated out
lines When the paper is removed the de-
sign will be found outlined on the material.
OF course, there should be a contrast be-
tween the fabric and the powder used in
outlining.
For this mode, before beginning to paint.
stretch the'silk or fabric upon board on
the. table. Paint with fine pointed brush,
being careful that the outlines are exactly
followed, and that the colors match the de-
sign Lay the water color paint upon the
fabric lightly at first, for, if it is too thick
it may crack and ruin the picture.
Before using the paint should be thor
oughly mixed with gold size" or Opaque
mixture. Should the work look dull when
finished it can be brought out by using
sicatif lightly upon the surface. Another
good plan is to place the colors on blotting
paper two or three days before using, so
that all the oil will be absorbed.
This latter mode of decorating is more
appropriate for sofa pillows, pin cushions,
portieres and such articles than for dresses
and furbelows.