The Washington herald., 1912-02-04
At the Point of the Needle.
By ALICE MASON.

Perhaps she f. equal to sewing her own
underclothes. These days Of white sales
the advantage OF the home made underwear
for the worker is Questionable. but there u
no denying that by watching ones oppor-
tunity to buy lace, embroidery. and cotton
materials girl gets daintier and more last
ing lingerie than she can AFFORD to buy.
In this style Of sewing good patterns are
also essential The sensible girl adopts one
style of night dress. corset cover, combina-
ton. and pettieoat. varying IT only In the
trimming. This simplIhes hitting and saves
much time. When q number Of garments
are being made they can be cut oat at once.
saving material as well as labor.
Another point in home made lingerie is
Il must not be too elaborate. Besides the
tax on the sewers nerves in much trimmed
underwear, there Is the drain on her purse
In keeping # fresh. Simple lines and finer
fabrics are in better taste as wei as mora
sensible than overtrimninE.
g
II pays to get good materials for UNDER
clothes. Few girls can AFFORD skilled laun-
dresses. and others soon work havoc on
himsy goods. One who must consider cost
must sacrifice daintiness to lasting qualities
She should avoid mulls. sheer lawns, or
handkerchief linen, and delicate, easily torn
laces Torchon or linen laces are far more
durable than Valenciennes for all classes OF
underwear. and . soft finished nainsook or
hne long cloth give excellent wear
However exquisitely one sews. It Is a mis-
take for the worker to go IN for hand made
lingerie II she can get at machine. It IL
a luxury she cannot indulge in, IL her eyes
and nerves are not TO suffer, and what IL
the use Of rolling lace. running up seams.
hemstitching, even gathering by hand, when
q machine does II almost as well and i've
times as fast?
There are girls who have not time or
talent to make their own underwear who
enjoy sewing occasionally In long winter
evenings, or half holidays. For such girls
there Is a. wide field In the dainty aecss-
sories that add so much to a girls looks, yet
are 30 costly to buy.
There are few girls who work too hard
or are too unskilled not to have on hand a
bit Of neckwear, q belt. a parasol, coat sets,
or even the embroidered blouse that they
may later have some one who seWs wen
make up
Material for such adornments are cheap,
oAleu CAu oe eNolNeo from remnants rom
the summer gown or from pieces left from
the linen centerpiece. Patterns can be
traced from this and other papers or maea- /,
zines. and embroidery cottons cost but q
few cents a skein.
Here, too. 1t tpays to keep up to date. Now
Is good time to start on summer e nxings."
but before doing 50 look through the stores
for the newest ideas. Windows are fun of
cotton gowns for all occasions. and the sup
ply Of dress accessories is well started.
This kind Of sewing must be done BY hand.
with a few exceptions. but DO not attempt too
elaborate effects. The Jabot Of simple design
or q few dots wiz be just as becoming as one
covered with Infinite stitching. As immacu-
lateness Is essential, It pays TO have simpler
belts. collars. and friHs. and more Of them.
Many girls buy cheap dress accessories
because they have not patience or skill to do
ane work Yet IL pays to learn to make such
dainty belongings and to make them we'll
The girl who can embroider quickly and ex-
quisitely can turn her accomplishment into
money by making bits Of nnery for the other
girls. Il does not pay to take 50 many onaaes
that overwork results