The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1922-08-29
UNCLE SAM SHOWS
GIRLS HOW TO DRESS
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICUL-
TURE INSTRUCTS THOSE
WITH SMALL INCOMES.

Uncle Sans department of agricul-
ture does work of many interesting
sorts: its ramihcations extend in divers
directions, not solely included under
the subject of agriculture, and one OF
the most helpful of these is aiding in
the subjugation of the still high cost
of clothing A recent publication OF
the department declares that the bust
ness girl, with reasonable amount
of zeal and talent, can use part Of her
spare time to such effect that she can
cut in half her clothes bill.
In the first place, says the circular,
it must be granted that the important
way to reduce costs is to eliminate
as far as possible the items of labor
and distribution In other words, the
business girl should make her own
clothing, otherwise, unless she's wiz
ard at nosing out bargains, she stands
little chance of reducing her clothing
budget
The business girl may claim, says
Uncle Sam, that she has not the time
or energy left after a strenuous days
work, but a skilled sewer who enjoys
sewing as an interesting and profitable
change of occupations can always find
time and energy. In this connection,
the department cites the case of a girl
, in government department who,
with the aid of the circulars and ex-
tension work of the agriculture depart
ment, was very successful IN keeping
her wardrobe supplied at comparative
" low cost, one-half in fact, what the
same clothing would have cost ready
made.
To begin with, she got a depart
ment circular telling how to make
dress form by pasting layers of gumm
ed bundle wrapping paper over
tightly fitting vest on herself as
model. When the paper casing was
cut off and fastened together she had
light, stiff and perfect reproduction
of her form. So it was not necessary
to purchase a store figure.
She reported that her latest ward
robe cost her only $108 for clothing
conservativelv estimated to be worth
IS210 at store prices. With the aid of
her paper form she made for S24.ol,
tan broadcloth winter coat with good
lining, such as she saw priced at $50
in the shops A blue wolfe dress with
slip cost including trimming, $lL09.
A tissue Bingham dress, with organdie
for trimming and also hemstitching,
cost $633; with scraps and a remnant
she made another glngham dress Tor
excatly As cents.
For $40 she bought materials to
make a pussy willow taffeta and geor-
gette crepe dress for social occasions,
which, she said, she could not dupli-
cate in quality at a store for less than
1855. Her business dress of serge and
crepe de chine would have been priced
at $40 or more if made of the good
fabrics she bought for $3.50. Her eve
ming dress, also of tafeta and silver
lace, cost only $21, although it was
modelled after one seen i'll shop at
much higher price.
This wardrobe augmented by two
dresses for which materials were
bought and which brought the total
up to $10S34, is not elaborate, though
sufficient for the needs OF the wearer,
it was said; and, having a variety OF
clothing, she was able to attend many
social functions which she otherwise
could not
! Without the dress form, the girl re
ported, it was doubtful if she could
have duplicated her achievement in the
| time at her disposal; but she not only
| had time left over for other activities
! but also to make ten such forms for
other girls and to hold classes to teach
many others.