Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-07-25
The Extra Dollar.

The Extra Dollar.
I wish to mention Q number Of practi-
cal ideas rather than to give the details
OF q w;-svery woman works out
practical problem In her own individual
way. The opportunities are - widely
varied as the tastes OF women, and the
only advice really needed 10 word urg-
ing each woman 10 follow her bent,
guided by the possibilities OF her sur
roundings.
One OF the busiest and happiest women
know Ia q married woman, who had
been q special designer Of hats. She has
her former interest In this
way; many of her customers continued
TO seek her advice after her marriage,
and she found 1t profitable to meet each
patron ut q wholesale house or small
shop where "frames" were sold. Select
ing the becoming shape, the milliner
then called for sample OF any suit or
dress to be matched, and the customer
had no further trouble except to return
for an artistic and Individual hat. made
an TO color and materials, according to
her wishes. Hundreds Of women are in
despair every season over the trying
feat of selecting q becoming hat IN
the publicity and haste Of the depart
ment store, who yet wish more variety
than the tiny shop affords. The success
ful milliner, In this case, has NO stock on
hand. no losses whatever, simply the
"pleasure, she expresses 1t, OF select
ing beautiful materials and fsshionaoie
hats for buyers who appreciate her indi-
vidual study of what will suit them
best.
Another woman has actually compel
ed successfully with the department.
stores on ready made, bungalow "apron
dresses" She selects materials that
will not fade, makes them more careful
" than the factory garment, and has at
tractiye, finished dresses In regular sizes
for cutomers. Buyers enjoy going Co
zee special thing-it is the same charm
that leads us to prefer buying books,
leather, or stationery at special shops
rather than at q department store. This
woman could not think of undertaking
general sewing, but has all she can DO In
her leisure hours, and Is planning to ada
pretty kimopas to her list this season.
Another possibility 10 to make special
" of shirtwaists, lingerie, or the like:
One woman makes living, and q good
one, furnishing lsyettes-simple ones OF
dainty material for delicate mothers
who cannot sew and very expensive ones
for Others who wish miles OF embroid-
cry.
Another woman in this city, who lives
near girl's school, makes pretty organ
die frocks, simple, ruff1y party dresses;
and many girl needing fresh dress
uuexpectedly, runs in to choose one, to
wear an hour later, perhaps. ANY one
who knows girls can visualize the catss'
trophies that may put whole WARDROBE
out of commission between many wear
|ipgs. A woman who decides upon max
ing some special kind Of garment, house
dresses, kimouas, shirtwaists, baby
clothes, may buy In quantity and at
such seasons that her materials cost her
10 uch less than they would . customer
buying for the needs Of only one family |;
and she can keep her own secrets about
materials purchased for the small woman
from the remnant counter.
Another woman has ready an assort-
ment of gifts suitable for birthdays,
ushowers' for q bride or prospective
mother, for Christmas or any OF the
times when one suddenly wants hand
made gift. Just now she speciaiizes 10
things for the table, set OF asbestos
pads, each neatly enclosed In a remov-
able linen cover, with lace around the
edge or embroidery at 9 higher price. l
was glad to buy several sets for gifts,
besides my own. Napkin holders, lunch
cloths, breakfast cloths that may be sent
to the laundry without guilty con-
science, and other suggestions OF inter-
est TO busy women may be examined In
| her pretty little linen closet.
Lately, I learned of q rare woman with
gift for making curtains "come out
right" who cuts and hens the lengths
| 1.-The materials and exact measurements
are given her) for fifty cents . window.
Hemstitching is extra, Of course. Many
who have moved recently have been
only too glad to use her services, as
there Ia nothing more dreaded In the "a
tigue OF moving than the struggle with
| the curtains and their diabolical tend
ency to come out in different lengths
when hung. Another woman makes
specially Of sofa pillows, covered With
many different materials, and in city
of tourists she has large number OF
customers who wish to add quickly
home-like touches to new domiolle.
Some busy women bring in extra
funds by choosing some accomplish
ment along the line Of their daily scbed-
| ule, which takes little extra time. One
lady who makes delicious fruit cake for
her own family will make one OF any
prescribed size, If given notice. and
many of her friends who have not the
knack or q moment to spare at certain
busy periods are glad to get home
made cake for guests or home festivities.
She usually has fruit cakes on hand as
they do not lose freshness.
Another who makes delightful choco-
lates will have pound ready on short
notice, when one telephones for gift to
some lucky person. She showed me .
marvellous half.pound box one day filed
with assorted dsinties which cost ten
cents for materials. know, also, where
| to get O loaf of homemade bread 10 an
emergency, or glass Of jelly or marina
lade. -.
It is almost certain that success will
wait upon the woman who takes intelli-
gent counsel, first with herself, to see
what she can do best, and then studies