DRESSMAKING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 70, 24 March 1933, Page 9

DRESSMAKING.

THE McCABE ACADEMY. The value of knowing how to cut and fit a dress is invaluable these days to a woman, and yesterday afternoon this was demonstrated both in simplicity and style at the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, at a free lecture-demonstra-tion of dress-cutting and designing, given by Mr. Hudson Stanley, New Zealand director of the McCabe Academy of Dressmaking, and Mr. C. C. Green, superintendent of the academy. Mr. Stanley and Mr. Green have been on a tour, during which they visited the world's fashion centres, and have returned equipped with the latest ideas in the art of dressmaking. In order to illustrate his lecture, Mr. Stanley cut out foundation patterns of bodices, sleeves and hip yokes, each taking only a few minutes to cut, and adjustable to any style or size. While the lecture was proceeding, Mr. Green cut out and pinned together a frock to fit the mannequin who was assisting him, the whole process taking only 35 minutes. The lecturer said conditions were .the same in New Zealand as abroad. While model frocks were expensive to buy, materials were comparatively cheap, so that the woman who could design, cut and make her own clothes effected a substantial saving. Many women- had no confidence in their dressmaking ability, but with a little tuition there was no reason whatever why they should not become expert dressmakers.