The Washington times., 1905-07-06
THE HOWE, ITS PROBLEMS 14ND ITS INTERESTS
RIBBON TRIMMINGS ARE
QUAINT AND CHARMING
Fashioned Into All Sorts of Ruffles, Cuttings, and
Designs for Frocks of All Kinds

Ribbons of every possible width and
quality and texture. ribbons of every
hue of the rainbow. and several others
beSideS-rfbbOns plain and ribbons
MORE, and ribbons running the gamut OF
color in one or in several shades. 1t Is
ribbon shat makes the gown of the sea-
son, and there is not a frock matinee,
a negligee, a dinner gown or tea gown
that can lay even the fainteSt shadow of
a claim tc success unless it can show its
quota of ribbon adornment however ap-
piled
Fox the Small Girl.
The small girl of the nursery may
plume herself on the fact that, while her
elders went their way serenely uncon-
scious of the charms and possibilities Of
ribbons, she remained faithful to them.
The big and splashing butterfly bows
with which her curls are tied up jaunti-
ly, the broad sashes that are loosely
drawn around her and the sh1rt-waist
sash is far less seen than this latter
development of the old-tinne fancy-the
smart bows that decorate her shiny
black strapped shoes; these and many
more uses for ribbons have been hers
for 10, these many, many seasons past
One of the most fascinating uses OF
ribbons is in their conjunction with lace
to form some pretty dainty conceit that
shall pass for garment. The most
elaborate looking matinees are so con-
structed, their real simplicity being
cleverly masked by the charms of the
materials. Even the veriest tyro with
the needle can readily fashion herself
one or more of these, and after She has
gained a little skill and a fair measure
OF the confidence that comes with il. she
can attempt one of the simpler tea
gowns that are so alluring in their
charm.
Ribbon manufacturers are ably aiding
in the popularity Of the wares what
with pull strings deftly interviewer at
all sorts of appropriate points in the
weave, shirring or ruffling ribbon be-
comes but the task OF moment; and
even the swiftness of sewing machines
is disc ou1lted in this novel way of dis
tributirg the necessary fullness. a pull
on the string-and they are all good
stout ones-and the ribbon is ruched in
almost an instant
Gauze Ribbons Attractive.
There are some gauze ribbons that
are most attractive in their possibili-
ties In the narrower widths they have
a string through the center, and this
makes the most delightful narrow
ruche for edging fiounces, festooning,
dispcsing after the intricate patterns
that are only just beginning to assert
themselves, and for defining the inserts
of medallions, motifs, and the like.
When these ara chosen in the shaded
colorings the effect is truly bewilder-
ing in its beauty, and as many as four
distinct colorings often appear in these
narrow gauze and chiffon weaves.
The broader ribbons have the pull
string in both edges, and for the
modish bouillonnes that are so much
the fad at present there is nothing that
can compare with them The shadings
in these are charming, especially in the
soft messaline weaves, and the color
combinations are such as would delight
the soul of an artist.
The Right Shade Essential
1t takes an artist eye for coloring to
select and apply these same fascinating
| ribbons 10 the exigencies of the latter
day costume. Just a shade off here, or
a thought too bright color there. and the
effect is altogether spoiled One must
study the ribbon and its environment
from every possible point cf view ere il
| is finally chosen and applied in its
destined place in the scheme of the
gown, or creation, as the Partisan
artist designers love TO term their
| froclis.
| With the lavish use of lace upon all of
| the summer frocks--a mode that is
bound TO maintain all through the winter
season as well-it is really quite a
temptation TO use ribbons in conjunction
| quite as much. Demi-founcings of lace
are set off to the best advantage when
| the waYy edges of the patterns are de-
| fined with a ruffied or ruched ribbon;
and it entirely depends upon the depth
| of the lace what width is employed. One
gown that makes lavish use of a double
edged lace has both edges ruffied with
four-inch satin ribbon, and tiny No.
ribbon IS ruci4ed and surrounds the
medallion motif pattern, the rings is.er-
secting every once in a while
For Sashes and Girdles.
Aside from sashes. girdles. bretelles
and such other separable effects, and of
which much mas been written and more
said, the hold that ribbons have on the
fashions OF the day is well exemplified
in the many uses to which the nilliners
are putting those. modish weaves. There
are whole hats fashioned from then,
and there are straw shapes in which
one only occasionally catches sight of
the foundation material. so cIsrerly are
they dressed with ribbons. and ribbons
and still more ribbons
And such clever effects as are achieved
in this line, The most fascinating
plumes are made entirely of ribbons. the
long quill to which the feathery loops