The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-06-16
LADIES in GLASS GOWNS.
An Entire Bridal Outfit Of Pure Glass
on Exhibition at the Worlds Fair
BY the Countess of Montaigu.

| u uellC0te ana ana IuScinhtlNk upSI6
ton. The operator takes smal
glass rod half an inch in diameter VIII,
exposes the point TO the blue flame o
couple of lamps, when at n whit
heat he draws out a thread almost a
intangible as that spun by the fatefu
| Atropos. An attendant filings thisglls
,ening fiiament over great Iron whee
which makes three hundred revolu'
tions minute. II Is so fine as not tc
| bef perceutihle until q number ol
strands have been wound. When
ready for removal. water must be
thrown on the wheel lest the thread,
on account OF It's extreme lightness,
ny away and be lost. Three hundrer
OF the original filaments must be put
together to make the thickness OF or
binary cotton thread.
The finished fabric is of an expuls-
itely beautiful texture. somewhat re-
sembllng the rich stuffs of gold and
silver used for sacredotal vestments
and altar cloths. 1t Is usual white
and asd as lustrous az satin, the sur
face rejecting the light with some-
what OF a metallic lustre, blue, pink.
Nile green and other delicate colors
are manufactured.
The material IL sufficiently pliable
TO be manipulated by the dressmaker.
the needle passing through without
any difficulty. II can be made up Into
exquisite costumes and has little ataln-
ity with any of the weavers known to
commerce. On account OF the pecull-
arlty Of the texture II lends itself ad-
mirably go the puffs and tucks now 80
fashionable. A lovely gown is fash
loned with the full gathered shirt OF
the 1880 period. the foot being finished
With half dozen volutes OF the
shining stun, the corsage matching II
In style. Sometimes an all white dress
is relieved with pIpings or cordings
Of faint tones OF rose or baby blue.
one great advantage this fabric enjoys
over silks or linen is that II does not
have TO submit to the manifestations
of the laundress, for all that is neces-
sary when soiled Is to wipe of the
surface with soap and water.
In order to illustrate the practical
utility of glass or crystal CLOTH" the
exhibitors have erected stage with
footlights OF which everything Is Of
this inimitable fabric. The floor Is
covered with glass carpetlngs, which
is not injured by use. The domed
ceiling and walls are decorated with
white glass cloth tucked and studded
at regular intervals with resettes OF
every color which looks Ike 80 many
flowers growing from out
Of q bed of the purest white. The fur
nlture is upholstered with glass in diff
ferent colors while American flags In
coloring are set at each end
The picture Is completed by n group
OF six figures. a bride and
ner attendants, bridesmaids all robed
in the purest white and In gowns IL
ustrating the latest fashions.
This display cost $4,000. 1t is
that one Of the smartest
women in the smart set OF St. Louis
$ desirous Of acquiring one of these
wonderful glass robes. Attired In
Iuch unique style she no doubt Will
,xcite the envy OF her rivals and set
he fashion of wearing glass gowns
Almost every article of feminine
year or ornament may be fashioned
rom "glass cloth" There are sofa
,lllows, lamp mats, small covers and
ven pincushions Braids for trim
ming dresses and millinery in all the
atest styles are made in every as
eautiful as those manufactured from
ilk. Being cheaper they bid fair TO
ival those made from wood fibre so
uccessfully exploited last season.
While the textiles made Of glass
re by far the most interesting part OF
he exhibit, there are other things to
rrest the attention of the curious.
! is said that the re is but one man
/ the world who with a single breath :
an blow a bubble from ten TO sixteen
set long. When this breaks 1t forms
self into vaporous iridescent SUBJ
lance most as ethereal as air and finer
nan the finest gold. This is used for
ecorative purposes and when crushed
etween the fingers nothing remains
ut a powder as fine as diamond dust
nd Of all the colors of the rainbow.
Driven to Desperation.
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