The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-04-21
~@ H0HdZ zu ZI0ZE HIP N4Zzz9zN

the diaper Is pinned.
The best obstetrie nurses sew the little
binder on the wee patient for the first
few weeks rather than pin 1t with even
the smallest safety pins. They claim that
this prevents any possible rumpling, and
that the desired degree of tightness or
looseness Is better controlled after this
manner. When the third month is reach
ed, however, the little woven band is
the best choice, If one be considered nee
essary at all.
Some of the speciality shops are dis
playing little braces to which the gar
ments are fastened, and another one that
accommodates both diaper and petticoats
alike, and SO hangs the weight OF the
clothing entirely from the shoulders. just
the same the pettieoats are mostly fash
toned with little bodice top and shoulder
straps that are considered better than tied
over the tiny shoulder than otherwise.
But In the matter of dresses mothers
taste and ingenuity displays itself to the
uttermost. Following the latest scientific
authorities the imported garments that
come from France and Belgium are seldom
more than 80 inches long, and more
usually but 81, in sizes up to six months.
Countless and even endless Is the varie
ties presented in these. There are square
yokes, round Jokes, pointed Jokes, seal
loped, tabled and escalated; and there
are some extremely attractive ones with
no Jokes at all, and with the sleeve run
ming up to the neck band, after the raglan
style.
1t really goes without saying that hand
work is to be preferred to machine
stitching; but, unless one is skilled
needlewoman anu accustomed to hand
sewing, it were far better when one con-
templates the making of little baby gar
ments TO employ the machine. Poor hand
10 tbo thing
earth. Not only does it look badly from
the start, but it never wears. A good
machine-made garment Is far and away
preferable to Il poor and botched piece of
handwork, Notwithstanding the sentiment
In favor Of the latter. But when skill
with the needle is personal art, then
the making Of these tiny garments be-
comes a joy and delight.
The sheerest of French nainsooks will
give better results than anything else.
English longcloth will serve nicely fof
the nightgowns, but the little dresses Tor
day wear cannot be fashioned too daintiiy.
Southern women are adept In the use OF
the needle, and the scribe has seen In
the woman's exchanges In the South ex-
amples of needlecraft for babys wear
that almost deserved place In museum
In the matter of little sacques and bath
robes-of which no baby with admirinG
relatives can ever have too many-one's
skill at embroidery finds many fields to
display itself. The little kimonos. night
ingales, capes and the like are all fash
Toned with scalloped and huttonholed
edges In lieu of hens, and the surface
is strewn with tiny bouquets of rosebuds,
forget me nots and other tiny blossoms
suitable to babyhood. Many Of those
little garments are lined with sheer
China silk, that adds much to their attrac-
tiveness, IL not to their utilitaran quail
ties.
Babys bibs are another item that af-
ford opportunity for delicate work. One
OF the besc shops in this trade is showing
a new bib. made of 4 waterproof stuff,
and over this the sheerest and most ex-
quisite of French marlborough bibs are
fastened. In this way the little throat
and chin are relieved from dampness. and
baby's dress Is kept altogether dry. Fino
as the finest pocket handkerchief that is
nude, and adorned with the most exquis-
tie needework of which those artistic
workers are capable. 1t is no uncommon
thing for n millionaire baby to have lit
tie bibs that cost $50 apiece.
The pillow is best made of soft. selected
curled hair. since this is far less heating
than either down or feathers. A sattn
covering best displays the work of the
slip. and some OF the newest of these
latter are provided with a broad ribbon
beading above the ruffie, through which
ribbons are run. and tied in splashing
big bow ON one corner.