The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-12-21
WITH A LITTLE INGENUITY

The subject of hats has always been an interesting one for women, but it is particularly so this season, when the need for conserving cloth makes 1t necessary to have fewer suits than in other days, says the Christian Science Monitor. It is almost to be expect ed that, when woman is making a single suit do the work of two or i three, she should seek a variety of hats to relieve the monotony of the costume. This natural tendency has shown itself, to a marked degree in the unlimited novelty in the styles and materials which characterize this seasons millinery. A time can hard ly be imagined when such an assort- ment of hats has been at the dispos- al of women. Almost every conceiv- | able material is being adapted, in some way, to the fashioning of an l original ''creation"; combinations which have never been seen together before are now quite sure of triumph, appearing boldly on every hand in brave display.
 l Because of the fact that such a wide scope is granted to the miIliner this season. it is not a difficult thing for a woman to construct her hat at home, and often without much ex- penditure of money. It would not be necessary to. have actual instruc- ton in the art, in order to be sure I of obtaining successful results; for there are so many simple styles to initiate that it is not necessary to venture out beyond. The majority of hats are quite small and fit rath- CT close to the head, thus making it possible for the beginner to start out free from any thought of the enor- mity of her task With a becoming frame as a foundation, some velvet, a few flowers of velvet or wcrsted, or any other good combinations of the many materials now being used the amateur may attempt her work It is now just the moment to take out the large box, which has been relegated to a shelf, and in which has been stored an accumulation of hat trimmings as they became unfash- ionable or were no longer needed, since hats are being constructed from practically every thing this year
 Velvet, silk, satin, felt, patent Ieath- CT, fur, beaver cloth, and velour form the foundations, which are trimmed with flowers of many kinds-stlk worsted chenille and velvet-beads , plumes, long, slender, skeleton quills and little. fluffy tips, ribbons ot plaid, grosgrain and many other va | rieties, all are now in vogue. There are not many articles of trimming that are not available for this years wear, so that the variety of possibili- ties makes this seasons hats really nc luxury.
 It is we'll for the amateur rnilliner to be conservative in her attempts
 until she gains the confidence which is usually born of experience. The foundation is highly important, as ir all construction; and, in order to be worth the effort, the frame must be well made and becoming. If a shape i which has seen service is still in good condition, it may be used after it has
 been prepared so that it is free from all uneven surfaces. If the frame i: purchased, one should remember that 1t is real economy to buy good qual- ity, which will retain it's shape, de.
 spite frequent changes of weather
 Worn verlyet may be freshened by dampening the back and stretching i . back and forth across the base of ar
 inverted iron, until the steam ha;