The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-08-06

There has arisen n new specialist In the millinery field. She announces that she designs and makes hats for children only and that no adults need apply. And she adds that, contrary to the usual femi- nine custom, this is a point upon which she cannot possibly be induced to change her mind.
 That this specialist has hit upon the most artistic, as well as original lines Is evident at the very first glance Into the well-stocked cases that line her showroom. NO two hats are even remotely alike, and one wonders at the Ingenuity that has fashioned from straw braids and ribbons and few flowers, with, perhaps a spool or two of millinery wire to assist. such overwhelmingly pretty chapeaux for the little folks of the schoolroom and the nursery.
 The little girls who read some Sunday papers and follow the wonderful adven- lures of Betsy Bouneer and her still more wonderful doll. will be delighted to find that Betsy's bonnet is being reproduced for other little girls, with other and per haps less alliterative names. to wear. The Betsy Bouncer is preferably made of wash materials, the shlrrng done over thick featherbone cords, so that the bon net may go to the laundry just like any of her frocks and pettlcoats, and be soused in soap and water Just the same as they. The embroidered frill that makes the front has this same material staying it at intervals, and the spray of flowers that lines this front can be, taken out In an Instant and replaced when the bonnet comes back from the laundry.
 The Quaker bonnet has proved source of inspiration to thls clever milIner, and from |, she has evolved some half a dozen shapes, all plainly related, but each one as different as possible from the other. One that Is illustrated herewith shows q clever combination of a Quaker and square front poke, and this same bonnet is shown in several color combina- tons aud various trimming schemes. The crown sets well back upon the head, but the brim Is fashioned double-that Is. there are really two brims, one over the other. The under one follows the shape of the head pretty closely, squaring off in front over the face, and the upper one IS of the same design, but with an upward scoop at either corner, into which a rose, bunch of cherries, cluster of daisies and poppies, or some other sim pie adornment is slipped. Velvet ribbons of medium width are the trimming, and they are disposed In loops to form seant rosettes here and there, and these are connected with a running chain of loops, so that there Is no hint of skimpness or scantiness in the trimming scheme
 Strings are quite a feature of those bonnets, and the milliner always adds goodly length of the trimming ribbon in the box that carries the bonnet home, so that little Miladi may be up to the Inst moment In the matter of style, and have her hair ribbon and her hat trim ming right off the same piece.
 One shape, fashioned entirely of mar row ribbons, was invented for the little flower maiden who of1ciated at a society wedding. The shape Is one of the broad and Hopping shepherdess kind, the brim narrow in the back and widening out be- comingly to the front and sides. The wire shape has all of the foundation wires silk-covered, and then the strands of ribbon are simply woven in basket fashion over the front. Both crown and brim are 50 constructed, and there Is just the merest hint of bandeau in the back of the head size, which gives that fascinat- ing tiptilt to the front of the hat, throw ing 1t trifle forward, so that 1t shades the face comfortably.
 Both sides of the front are occupied with rosettes made of countless loops of the white satin ribbon; and no other trimming device Is apparent or required. From the back depends some 10 or dozen strands of the same narrow weave. and these are carelessly brought around to the front in a group, and either pinned on the shoulder or knotted loosely under the chin.
 For the school girl who has reached the 'pigtail'' stage, and ties up her braids with a smart bow of ribbon, the ques- ton of becoming millinery Is often quite problem She is somewhat too grown up for the simple modes of childhood on the one hand, and the smart hats of the grown-ups are too old for her on the other. Something that shall be betwixt and between these two extremes Is not always available. Here Is where the children's milliner steps into the breach. There are any number or large and flop ping styles that can be fantastically trimmed for the small girl. but need trife less display and more severity for her half grown sister. What is merely pic turesaue on the small tot may look loud and in somewhat poor taste for her elder sister. However, smart simplicity IS what the school girl needs, and the same shane that the smaller child wears to such advantage is wired to take artistic folds for the older girl, and satin and velvet ribbons are disposed simply, with poppy buds, small daisies, ragged sailors and other small and dainty flowers for trimming.