The Washington herald., 1907-08-05
FROM WOMANS
POINT OF VIEW

Some day when woman is cudgeling
her brains for way 70 make money
she will. perhaps. dig UP the happy
thought OF initiating French dressmakers
in making perfectly fitting frocks, after
fascinating designs. at prices within the
reach Of patrons who pay cash. she can
do that by sacrificing stitches, finishing
germents Ike the imported ones.
French modistes consider fit and design
only-the finish is only that which shows
and prices are low because OF the alb
sence OF unnecessary stitches. The
American sense Of duty drives dressnak-
ers TO the task Of setting endless stitches,
all Of which must be paid for, OF course.
so ordinary mOTtals cannot patronize
good, reliable. and stylish dressmakers.
One has only to study the models in first
class establishments to become converted
to the sacrifice Of inside finish TO outside
fit and style.
Once in 4 while some fortunate woman
discovers a faultless tailor or a clever but
obscure dresmaker whose prices are with
IN her reach. If she recommends them.
she is sure to feel the result IN a rapid
climbing Of prices, which bars her. out
The change brings a change In patronage.
but not always in fortune. for the ex-
travagant have way OF ignoring claims
till they become pressing. have always
maintained that a crying need Of the age
is the dressmaker for common people, one
who keeps her word, understands her
trade and likes II, and tries to please her
- FF-s,F
ones, and they are not prosperous, of
course, but that does not help the women
who Ike pretty clothes within their
means.
have in mind a woman who sought out
a fashionable modiste to rectify the
blunders Of an obscure one who did not
know her trade as she ought. The ma
terial Of the dress had been bought at a
sale. and the new piece used in the MAX
ing over cost more than the original ma
terial, and there was less than two yards
in It. But the style and fit Of the frock
made up to her the sacrifice in money. It
was a party frOck and lasted a long time.
The womans common dresses were too
simple 10 interest such a dressmaker or
warrant the prices she charges. and she
is dissatisfied with poorer work; and there
is a host like her.
I find deal Of amusing information In
periodicals donated by women who profess
to tell real experiences. They probably
have them, but they are not Of much
value TO others beyond exciting a feeling
Of envy, because the workers they de-
scribed do not exist in numbers. They
must be samples from which stock is
supposed to follow later on. I remember
that one woman describes her milliner as
a treasure who comes 10 her after bust
ness hours, uses up whatever materials
are at hand, and charges little for her
labor and skill. I tried that experiment
and paid handsomely for it, so naturally
am wee bit skeptical.
sses
A good home dressmaker is quite possi-
bic, but the average woman hurries her to
the extent OF making mistakes that have
to be rectified later on, or endured We
do not realize that one garment that gives
satisfaction is worth dozen Of the other
kind, and that money and time spent in
picking up dropped stitches are wasted
Some women are able to find seanstresses
who will do wonders in the line Of repairs,
and others spend their days In wishing for
such assistance.
Once before when ! urged the need Of
really good but inexpensive dressmakers,
1 received a reply from one who wanted
me to test her ability. I am sorry to say
that mislaid her address and forgot her
name-nothing so very strange in the
light Of the many duties which fell to my
share IN those days. Possibly I lost an
opportunity to be always regretted, but
shall live in hope that others will come to
me. There are women who want to make
money and others who have It TO pay for
what they need or want: and why should
not the two classes meet some day?
BETTY BRADEEN.