The Washington herald., 1914-04-30
HOME DRESSMAKING|


he attention of the majority OF mothers
40 have small daughters 1t is some
time since shops first began to show
materials for these frocks. and week
by week they have added to their stock
Of practical wash goods, until now II
would seem that there was nothing more
that could be offered to the prospective
buyer. The old staple weavers Of gins-
ham. chambray. percaIs. lawns. dimities
and piques are shown, in all the new
colors and designs. Added to these are
n variety Of new weaves that are charm
Ing and that are equally good so far as
their wearing qualities are concerned.
Ratine and crepe weaves are among the
most popular new weaves this season.
Linens hold their own. and the coarse
crash weaves are most serviceable. The
finer French weaves are considered smart
this season. These latter do tumble and
soil easily, but then they are shown
In such fascinating colors that II is hard
FOR even the most practical Of US to put
them aside.
Mothers find that the life of a clean
dress is often prolonged by making the
collars and cuffs detachable and having
two or more sets These are the parts
of the dress that first show soil, and
n they are kept fresh and clean the
dress looks well much longer. By hav-
ing the sets entirely different IL gives a
pleasant change.
The material decided upon and pur-
chased, the next step in order to have
Il give satisfaction to the end, Is the
treatment IL should receive. The color
must be set SO that Il may be sent TO
he laundry as often as necessary with
cut fear OF its being ruined. 1t must
also be shrunk so that the garment will
zot become too small. and in this way
.endered practically worthless after the
Z -st Tubing. The treatment that Is
aecessary to prevent the loss OF color
and the goods shrinking may be given at
tae same time with very little trouble.
How to shrink Colored Cotton.
To shrink the goods 1t must be thor
Jughly saturated with water for sew
sral hours, and then hung on a line and
let thoroughly dry before It is made up.
II half pint of turpentine is added to
every bucket of water used for shrink
ing, # will set the most delicate colors.
II II Is not possible to procure the tur-
pentine, a cup of salt may be suhsti-
used should be warm, but not hot, and
the turpentine or salt must be thoroughly
mixed In with the water before the ma
terial Is saturated. In order to make as
little work as possible and to avoid the
necessity of ironing the goods before II
is made up, it is well to keep the ma
terial folded in the original creases and
lay it fat in the bottom of an ordinary
washtub or a bathtub. Pour the water
on the goods, and after it has remained
wet for at least two hours II should be
taken out and without wringing placed
on a line SO that it will not wrinkle |
When 1t is thoroughly dry. il it is care
fully folded 1t will not require ironing. |
and a pressing after the dress is fin
ished is all that will be needed. Another
thing that must not be overlooked in
the shrinking and laundering of colored I
goods is that 1t must be hung in the
shade to dry. II it is not, it is absolutely
certain TO fade even when il has been
given the most careful treatment in the |
preparation.
Suggestions for BengthenInE.
Before describing the individual models
shown by the drawings, a few general !
suggestions in reference TO the making |
of children's clothes will help mothers !
out Of difficulties that are likely to pre- !
sent themselves later. Children are apt |
10 grow rapidly. and both the skirts and |
sleeves Of their dresses may become too |
short in a few weeks. The possible ne |
cessity Of discarding the dress may be |
guarded against by allowing extra length |
when cutting the goods. and this may be |
disposed Of in various ways until IT is |
needed. On the whole, this is a much |
more sensible and practical way of do |
ing than to make the dress a size or two /
larger than is required, and let the child, |
as the old saying is, grow into it. Dresses |
made in that way are never good look |
ing, for they do not fit around the body |
neck or shoulders. 1t is a most unusual |
thing for it to be necessary to enlarge 1
the body of a chiId's dress, but almost |
without exception It will require length
ening, and the method talked of will |
prove satisfactory. Broad hens and tucks