The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-11
LITTLE FROCKS HOME MADE,
Manly HOUSE GOWNS THAT
WOMEN IKE.

IN The Purpose Dark CeIOrs ModIsh.
p,,ripg recent seasons there has been an
Nor among manufacturers OF women's
olotbine 10 provide ready made what
-or,sn usually call little frocks, a term
having no connection with the size Of the
n'odel but intended to imply that these
,r,ck, do not belong to the tailor class and
GRO no, II the elaborate type but are merely
d,inty house frocks of moderate cost.
.rcb A. the ordinary woman likes to wear
Or tbe home dinner and evening or for most
informal social functions.
IVORY woman who attempts to he well
.jrsssel needs a few such frocks and il
nor income is small she feels that she can
not AFFORD to spend much money upon them.
Sbe NAV. perhaps, go TO a fashionable
lre.,maEar for a visiting gown, dinner
GOWN and evening gown and to a smart
,,il,r for one tailor costume. hen she
ellis in the gaps of her wardrobe with the
aid Of \ comparatively inexpensive dress
maker or a home seamstress, and If she il n
clever woman her little frocks are charming
despite their humble origin.
L. must be admitted that as a rule the
ready r1de frocks Of this class leave much
70 be desired. The designers, instead Of
clinging to simplicity of line and detail
and trusting the success Of the frock to
tbe daint mess Of color and texture which
Is to be obtained in many cheap materials,
attempt shoddy limitations of elaborate
models and by dint Of using quantities Of
cheap lace and snowy trimming rob their
model, Of the charm they might have.
This. however. il not ALWAYS the case.
..-lI,. .n, s.la 4, raoIl. .NN~,a.;,o
model not e-Xtravagantly high in price;
hut. on the whole. one will obtain better
result for less money If one can nave ones
little frocks made by a fairly intelligent
dressmaIcr whose prices are not high.
The shops are full Of materials suitable for
the purposes. The usual choice Of the man
ufacturer is a semi-transparent material
such az chiffon cloth or marquisette. and
such stuas do ~undeniably make delightful
little frocks Of simple character; but the
woman who cannot afford to spend much
money for dress must take many things
into consideration when buying a frock.
and the dainty. semi-transparent chiffons.
GAUGES. &c, though they wear fairly well.
will not give such service as one can obtain
from frmer material.
Moreover. a silk lining is practically inn
perative with the very sheer materials.
and in many instances a yelling Of chiffon
between lining and material il needed If the
'rock is to be really successful. All this
adds greatly to the expense.
4 silk lining il a desirable thing even in
the little frock Of supple silk or crepe de
chine. but n can dispense with it there.
using some one Of the silk finished Innings
with merely a bottom lounce and dust
ufie Of silk. Whatever the lining used
IL must be soft, not stiff, and where a silk
foundation rs used under sheer material
the softest Of chiffon taffeta without stiff
ness in the dressing or one Of the very
supple silks Of the messaline or light satin
finished sort is the desirable thing.
A host Of shimmering silks, not trans
parent but light Of weight and deliciously
supple. are in the market and though some
d these silks, especially those Of high satin
lustre and indescribable softness. bring high
prices there are lovely things at St.25 and
$50 a yard. Even at lower prices effective
-ilken stuffs are offered. but unless one il
a sure judge of quality it is wise to ray
a fair price in a good shop.
Sarin finished silks have the preference
this season and there is great variety in this
uAiVs NlfB' NO SbAhAV ~ "A'~C hANy 10 ihAA
in good quality and most exquisite colorings.
~ is always a satisfactory material for
the serviceabe house frock.' Fine wool
voIe and silk wolfe are as popular as ever.
but. while a frock in one of these materials
is a practical Investment. a silk lining is
really a necessity. and that adds to the initial
cost Of the frock. Eolienne of fairly heavy
quality need not necessarily be made NJ
over silk and wears well.
The Henrietta cloths and cashmeres are
old favorites. and. while not so modish
a. the newer materials. are always pretty
and appropriate for house wear, and are
made in many lovely shades. Even nuns
yelling. alba;ross and wool batiste in dainty
coloriny may he made up into attractive
house frocks, but, unless every cent must
he counted. il will pay to buy a more modish
material. The cost Of findings and of
making will bo the same for both and the
saving ON the cost Of the material would
amount to little.
Chiffon broadcloth is a beautiful material
for the house frock. but in light color it
rois much more readily than a silk and in
good quality il costs more than the silk or
crepe.
Among the semi-:ransparcnt and trans
Parent materials Morquisettc is a f~avorite
and has much TO commend il. The heavy
me-, 80 popular with Partisan dressmakers
are excellent materials for wear as well
n for effect. but it IL somewhat difficult
IN find here in good colors the soft. heavy
net, like a very coarse nlaline, which is the
Farlsian f~avoriCe.
\ Chiffon cloth. heavier and more durable
Than the old time chiffon. il used in tremen-
dols quantities. and the chiffon cloths with
printed floral designs or printed borders
are wonderfully beautiful. this season.
Velvet ribbon trims many Of the little
trocks in chiffon, net, DC, and is used
even upon frocks Of silk or crepe. A rib
hon band trimming or deep hand OF con-
trasting material Is a favOrite skirt finish,
for the simple frock and founces are little
Used In the old way.
When flounces do appear they are so
set on the skirt as 10 emphasize the lines
n the model. following irregular lines in
stead Of being set on. straight around the
skirt bottom.
The nrfn,ouyo ~ooloI -uAk .L:-;-,