The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-07-29
SUMNER
Dresses For Children That
Are Very Pretty

It Is open to discussion whether it
Is better to dress children in really
distinctive clothes or to conform to
certain styles which are accepted &C
generally that they almost constitute
a set of Juvenile uniforms. There Is
a certain latitude possible even with.
in these limitations, for fabric and
finish afford plenty of scope for varie-
ty, according to New York Times
writer.
Many American mothers share, to a
certain extent at least, the English
idea that children should have as lit
tie Clothes consciousness as posi-.
BILE, and that the best way of achiev.
ing this Is to dress them not only
with perfect simplicity but also with
an almost total absence of individual.
ity.
The French, on the contrary, often
combine in the most fascinating man.
ner the qualities of simplicity and dis
tinction. It Is In the details of the
trimming. the management of she
materials. that these Partisan gar
ments excel. Almost any woman who
will give the subject enough study
can devise these touches of originali-
ty while keeping to the broadly con.
venient styles for children.
On one point in connection with
children's clothes, there is no room for
two opinions. That is the appropri-
ateness and beauty of hand work. Not
only do the short seams, the abbrevi.
ated tucks, the delicate little rufiies
of their small garments lend them.
selves far better to hand work than
do our own bigger and longer and
heavier effects. but 1t Is an easier mat.
ter to do the embroidery for three or
four little frocks than for q single
costume for . grown.up.
Summer Is the season for embroid-
cry. and the woman who puts In her
spare moments In the preparation OF
dresses for the little folks will have
cause for Thanksgiving later on. Most
children now wear cotton frocks the
year round. It 10 a far more cleanly
custom than putting q child into q
blue serge suit when autumn comes
and having It wear the suit day after
day as long as the threads will hold
together.
1t is predicted now that the Eton
Jacket and the bolero will have a
prominent place In Juvenile fashion
next winter. These will be embroid.
cred or braided in gay colors and will
be charming on children. The en-
broidery can be done this summer by
the woman who Is clever with her
needle.
Older girls who have arrived at
what We may call the legitimate wool
dress age" are also candidates for the
products OF the maternal embroidery
frame, for they will need bands OF
gay designs to outline the neck op-
ening and the slashed sleeves OF the
Russian blouses, which will retain
their place in the wardrobe Of chill
dren.
The French and the English have
invented charming fashions for the
child in the house, but It is to Ameri-
can designers that the child who
wants to have good time In outdoor
play must come to be Ideally fitted.
The beach rompers. shown this sea.
son are enough to make one sigh to
be made a child agstn. Beach aprons
are a boon, too. They are made of
blue denim, bound with red and EN-.
broldered (also In red) with the ap-
propriate emblems OF pail. shovel and
SO forth. The pail design. planted
squarely in the middle of the apron,
Is In reality large pocket, which
will certainly be the Joy Of the wear
er.
The prices for which one can buy
really charming little play dresses,
ei'her In gingham, linen. chambray,
or dimity, are SO very moderate that
1t IL no wonder the shops are sup
planting the, mother as an outfitter OF
children.
-.fs-----
Miss Katherine Smith NJ Dotroit.