The San Francisco call., 1904-02-14
A NEW aDORNMENT
FOR SUMMER DRESSES
One Way to Secure Hand
Painted Eroci< at Small


&OSts
Hand-painted gowns and dress acces-
sories decorated in similar manner
are considered quite exclusive, and will
be fashionable for summer wear. Not
lawns and organdies are transformed
into beautiful fabrics by this simple
means. AS the method is within the
reach of any one, the deft-fingered
woman can obtain surprising results.
An exquisite party gown recently
seen was worn by young girl. who
whispered into the ears of an admiring
friend that the entire costume cost less
than SIS. This statement was explained
satisfactorily by the informant, who
said that she had decorated the cos
tune herself
The dress was a soft white diaphan
Gus affair. made Of organdy, and with
row after row of billowy fiounces. The
entire gown was sprinkled with violets,
single and in clusters. A soft white
fichu 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
on the white kid slippers worn with
the gown, and three or four stray vio-
let's were 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 moisture and
to prevent the dye from spreading. The
material was then left to dry, and
afterward 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
or water color paints spreading, but
with a little care this difficulty can be
overcome.
One Of the prettiest gowns seen deco
rated with this shadow painting was a
white silk painted with wild roses. The
white mousseline boa, edged with ruch-
there on the edge. A white silk head
scarf, edged with a three-inch chiffon
flounce, was also decorated with roses.
Another clever idea for painting on
fabrics is to take 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 a small
bag filled with lampblack or fine crayon
and rub over the perforated outlines.
When the paper is removed the design
will be found outlined on the material.
OF course, there should be a contrast
between the fabric and the powder used
in outlining.
For this mode, before beginning to
paint, stretch the silk or fabric upon a
board on the table. Paint with fine
pointed brush, being careful that the
outlines are exactly followed and that
the colors match the design. Lay the
water color paint upon the fabric light
ly at first, for If it is too thick it may
crack and ruin the picture.
Before using the paint should be
thoroughly mixed with gold size or
opaque mixture. Should the work look
duh 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 viii be absorbed.
This latter mode of decorating is more
appropriate for sofa pillows, pin cush-
ions, portieres and such articles than
for dresses and Washing
ton Star.