DRESSMAKING.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19459, 5 November 1928, Page 2

DRESSMAKING.

ARMSTRONG'S COMPETITION,

A tremendous amount of interest from all over New Zealand has been taken in the successful home dressmaking competition arranged by Messrs Armstrong, Ltd., of Christchurch. Hundreds of entries were received, and the popularity of the competition was evidenced by the fact that they came from as far north as Auckland and as far south as Waimate. I The greatest versatility and artistry is shown in the design of the frocks submitted in spite of the condition that the individual cost was not to exceed twenty shillings, and the high class of the needlework and the beautiful hand embroideries clearly indicate that the use of the needle in New Zealand is by no means a dying art. The judging of the costumes was, needless to say, a very difficult task, where such variety was possible and such skill. displayed. So many of the entries are of the highest excellence that the minutest details have to be taken"?hto consideration, such as'the suitability of the embroideries for the particular material employed for the dress. Many competitors failed on this account. The materials permitted to be used in the competition were Picton, Murella, or Fujiyama, three beautiful materials that Armstrongs have made available for women in New Zealand. The* many shades and the different colourings enabled , frooks to be made that are extremely difficult to choose between, and the economy that is there, when it is remembered that each cost not more than ten shillings, is almost incredible. The choice of embroideries and design was marred in many cases. One frock in particular, which was beautifully made and artistically finished, lost a considerable number of marks, for the class of appliqued embroidery used should have been used on the stouter material instead of the fujiyama. Hemstitching with outlining designs of embroidery proved very popular, and in the finished garments in many cases looked almost machine-done in neatness, and yet gave the finished appearance of exclusive French models. Taking _ the frocks' individually, praise could be given' to each one, and collectively one is left to wonder what fresh designs and colourings' could be left for human artists to think' of. Flares, godets, tucks, pleats, panels, all were used to make up an attractive whole, and the types vof embroidery used were very numerous. In merit, ait many of Varied designs were so remarkably close that the judges found it necessary to reduce marks for the smallest details,, and gradually from the now almos't chosen numbers will the prize-winners be taken. The judging will not be completed until this week, and the re- :• suits will s be published in next Saturday's newspapers and'in the following week, from November 14th to November 17th, the dresses of the prizewinners will be on exhibition at ArmStrong's, Ltd. Those who failed to win prizes can obtain their entries on and after November 20th. Armstrong's are to be congratulated on their successful endeavour to foster the art of needlework in this country. The' materials, which are still procurable in a wide range of colours, are suitable for almost any occasion, and should prove most popular for both town and sports.wear, as they are.very reasonable in price, and can be made up suitably to any design for young or old. —6