The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-08

THE problem OF packing ones be-
longings for travelling is one that
Is continually with us, and to only too
many of US it is a practically insoluble
difficulty. The born packers are few
and far between, and most of us know
the despairing feeling that comes when
on visit we unpack our box or bags
and find everything in a hopeless mud
die. blouses crushed out of all fresh
ness and odds and ends shaken out of
the corners wherein we so carefully
slowed them to meet in confusion In
the middle. But this state of things
can be to a very great extent prevent
ed. and homemade bags and cases for
different articles will be found of enor-
nous assistance in this respect. To
begin with blouses, a case for these is
quite easily manufactured. and in 1t
starched shirts and soft chiffon and
lace blouses all may travel safely with
out any fear of crushing or creasing on
the way. The first necessity is two
large sheets of fairly stif cardboard;
twenty-six inches long by twenty inch
es wide will be found a useful size, but
If suit case or portmanteau is often
taken upon journeys 1t should be OF
such measurements as will just COM
fortably ut inside. Divide one of the
sheets down the middle and cover the
three pieces neatly with thin silk,
chintz or even muslin. Cut a long strip
of the material. say four inches wide.
and gather 1t on to the large sheet all
round the edge. Sew the other two
pieces on to It, one each side, and ar
range ribbons so that the free sides tie
together down the middle, and you viii
have a compact and useful case, which
will hold several blouses with ease.
The top may be embroidered with q
spray of flowers or q monogram, and
| If the case is intended for a present
| a good idea is to work the word
"Blouses' in fancy lettering right
| across from corner to corner.
| Another exceptionally useful article
for travelling is a sponge bag, and the
ordinary bag bought at a store can be
immensely improved upon by the
homemade article. Get a sheet of thir
waterproof material measuring, say,
by 20 inches and lay 1t on an exactly
similar piece of other material Fol6
| them over longways to the depth o,
eight inches from the bottom, stitcl
firmly up both sides and bind all rount
with ribbon. This can be done boil
easily and quickly by machine and II
then certain to be quite strong. Sew
couple of patent fasteners near tn,
edge by which to fasten the flap down
Then out of the waterproof and ma
teria1 cut two pieces, one seven inche
long and two inches wide md the othe
five inches long and three inches wide
Stitch these firmly down, the marrow
one across the bottom and the wide
at the top. and they will make a cou
pie of pockets to hold the toothbrush
and a piece Of soap.
This kind of sponge bag will be foun,
singularly useful, as it keeps all tn
washing things together and yet cal
be packed away into a very small
space. The outside material may b
silk, chintz or even a colored print an
the ribbon for binding should mattel
the pattern.
A third thing that is almost indis
pensable when travelling is a 1ewe
( case, and for the girl who wants t
: take brooch or two and few ring
a neat little folding case will come Il
very handy and may easily be manu-