New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-19
THE HOME SEAMSTRESS
1t Is Good Policy to Treat Her
with Consideration.

The woman VINO Is not COhSiuefdte ot hoi
seamstress, either out Of the goodness Of
her heart or for policys sake, is sure to
be the loser, sooner or later. The average
seamstress who does good work Is sell
dom In want for customers. so the wise
housekeeper who would keep in her good
graces should never forget that the woman
sewing for her Is human and should be
treated with consideration In every way
possible. In the first place. She should not
be banished to a little dark room, warm
In summer and lacking sunshine In winter.
for under such conditions satisfactory re-
suits could hardly be expected. The room
In which the sewing is done should be
pleasant. CHEEKY and well ventilated. Com
Portable chairs must not be overlooked.
and supply OF pins. needles and Blasting
thread should not be lacking, for much
time can be taken up hunting for these
sewing room essentials. The machine with
which the seamstress is expected to do
faultless stitching and make the most CT
her time should be gone over, oiled and rut
in good condition generally before the sew
ing woman comes on her annual or semi
annual visit to help out the family ward
robe.
In most households the seamstress takes
her meals at the regular family table,
luncheon Being usually the only meal in
cluded in her day. In some homes the
luncheon is served upstairs, and in this
case It is a wise plan TO have a table ar
ranged in the hall or IN some nearby room,
as a meal will be more appetizing and en-
joyable in an environment different from
|
The luncheon tray should have as much
consideration as though 1t were going to a
fastidious guest. The nice details will not
be lost on the seamstress, even though she
may not be able to afford them herself.
The meal should be sent up promptly and
be hot and tasty. II a housekeeper is
| going 20 have company she can with tact
| explain the situation and send the luncheon
| upstairs. even though the seamstress usual
ly eats with the family.
A custom observed by many women is
that OF serving the seamstress with tea or
coffee and crackers or sandwiches-or, in
| the summer, with a cool drink-in the mid
die Of the afternoon. This is no great
trouble. and the attention, as well as the
"restfu lunch" is sure TO be appreciated.
IN Ddu weather VI even vi Dltdsdhl udS y,
IL tho family carriage or the motor is at
the door or is not being used how easy
TO have the coaehman or chauffeur take
the tired dressmaker TO the nearest sub
way or elevated station. as the case may
be. Or occasionally send her all the way
home, as the ride would be genuine pleas
ure.
A dressmaker told of how once she was
asked 10 give some extra time to two OF
her regular customers She was unable IN
oblige both. She recalled a time when one
Of the women had passed her by I'm her
automobile: speaking, IL is true, but sailing
by, though both were bound in the same
direction. Then she remembered the sew
eral pretty postal cards from her old home
in Germany, sent by the other woman, 10
whom she had often spoken OF the scenes
Of her girlhood. Naturally IL was the latter
who was accommodated at this time, when
she had to choose between the two.
Another seamstress, in describing the
various types OF people for whom she
served. told how much pleasure she always
derived from her stay in some households.
and how, in a way, she dreaded the week
or so allotted semi-annually to other fam
constant friction between mother and
daughter, or between enHous sisters; and
this was so upsettng that she found II Inn
nossitle to do the good work she always
tried 10 do for her patrons. In other homes
the conditions were decidedly different She
mentioned particularly one OF her young
girl customers for whom It was pleasure
to sew. II this girl happened to go of on
q visit with some Of the drcssmaker's
new clothes, or TO wear one Of her gowns
10 a dance or a wedding, she would take
particular pains to send line, telling how
much her work had been admired. Every
woman gets comfort and pleasure from
clothes she likes and feels are becoming,
and II these clothes are creations of the
family seamstress why should not this
humble member of the great and noble
dressnaking profession, be she young or
old. plain or pretty receive some express
sion of appreciation?
In a certain rich family where there are
several girls they have a seamstress, who
for wears has done little odd bits OF work; !
and. though eacn Of the daughters has
bod q wonderful bridal gown from Won
derfIl modiste, the faithful family seam |
s,rsss has always helped dress the bride |
and arrange the wedding Veil. And the
rr,,1I.ee has been much appreciated.
Tn another home the seamstress Is re-
,,.r,b.r.d each year with substantial
Christmas gift.
,,, ooo.arx IN many Of the |