DRESSING A DOLL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 307, 28 December 1935, Page 3 (Supplement)

DRESSING A DOLL.

BABIES IN WOOL. Most people dress a doll or so at this time of year, and they may do it perfunctorily with clothes which look well but do not take off, or they may consider what it is that a child really likes in this direction. Children do not like dolls to look useful and frumpy, but they appreciate them if they are comfortable to hold. Clothes that take off are almost an article of faith. So much is this so, and so painful are memories even to-day of clothes that proved to be undetachable, that it is surprising to see them thus travestied. Since we like reflections of ourselves dolls' clothes are generally best when they are most like those of the children themselves, still more if they are like the clothes which they strongly desire to have.

Many children like dolls which are a little younger than themselves. If they are rather grown-up little girls they like babies, preferably in long clothes and not in the trousers and sweaters of modern times, which perforce have to make up in bulk in what they lack in length. Knitted dolls are appreciated, but knitting must not be an excuse for only one garment. A knitted doll should have underclothes and dress complete, and preferably, too, a cap and coat, together with as many accessories as possible. Children sometimes like a doll's handkerchief as much as the doll, while a little bag into which doll's things can be put it true joy. Grown-ups veer towards the pretty doll and the natural doll and the smart doll. These may be popular, but'not because of these qualities so much as because of their approximation to a set of conditions familiar to the child. Dolls may be terrible strangers, and it Is this quality which must above all be avoided in doll-dres-sing. TO WHIP CREAM. Whip cream at an open window, and after partly -whipping it add a teaspoonful of cold water, and continue beating. Repeat this several times until it is the required thickness. The water makes the cream much lighter and increases the bulk, so that it goes much further. DISCOLOURED TILES. Discoloured tiles are best washed with very hot water, to which a few drops of paraffin have been added. Brown marks on tiles may be removed by the use of lemon-Juice. Rub afterwards with powdered French chalk, applied with a damp flannel. To polish tiles rub them over with linseed oil and turpentine mixed in equal quantities. WHEN MAKING PASTRY. Have flour, dredger, spoons,' and bowls, with lard, margarine, and salt,' all at hand on tha table. This saves much time. If one has to stop with floury hands to get out the salt, etc., it is very annoying.