HINTS AND IDEAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 255, 27 October 1928, Page 4 (Supplement)

HINTS AND IDEAS.

FADED STOCKINGS.

DYE THEM AT HOME.

The dark shades in stockings, now so* fashionable, can easily be imparted to faded, washed out or light stockings. The materials required are simply two dyes, which must be in block, not powder form. The best colours are" nigger brown and scarlet.

Place each dye in a small square of white calico. Gather up the corners and tie them up firmly with some cotton. The dye will now look something like a small packet of laundry blue, and is, indeed, used in the same way. First wash and well rinse the stockings. Then prepare the tinting water. Put some hot water into a bowl, and dip in the brown dye packet about six times, then repeat the process with the red. Stir it well to ensure thorough mixing, and add enough cold water to take the stockings comfortably. Put in the stockings, move them about for a minute or two, then wring and hang up to dry.

Equal proportions of brown and red will give a dull rose shade. More red will produce a rich sunburn. For the fashionable dark beige tinge, use more brown, with only a little red.

PLAYSUITS. —i — Anything that is likely to make the small child self-supporting in the direction of amusement is worth the respectful attention of his mother, whether she be able to afford the assistance of a nurse or whether she be obliged to look after her offspring unaided.

No finer co-operation in keeping children entertained is to be found than a play suit. The Bed Indian suit is a great favourite. A short tunic, accompanied by long trousers, may be made in brown casement cloth for a few shillings, stripes to the trouser legs and border for the tunic being made from a scarlet woollen braid.

Tail feathers from game and poultry should be collected in advance, dried in the oven, pierced at the quill ends and sewn with strong twine or thin string to a wide band of ribbon long enough to tie with a bow and ends.

The South Sea Islander suit is another that lends itself admirably to games of various descriptions. Choose for this a casement cloth in the hue of a suntanned skin and make the 6uit in one piece, fastening like a romper down the centre of the back. Buy several Tmnlrc of garden bass or of raffia and knot strands of this on to a waist belt, the fringe reaching just past the knees. Plenty of bead necklaces and of ornaments made from sea shells will complete the costume.

Animal suits can be made from suitably printed materials.