CLOTHES FOR THE UNEMPLOYED.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20828, 11 April 1933, Page 15

CLOTHES FOR THE UNEMPLOYED.

TO Ml! EDITOB OF THE PRESS. Sir, —It occurred to me the other 'day as I was busy sorting" out clothes to send to the Unemployment Bureau that it would be an excellent idea if on two days a week all those women who could spare an hour or so could meet to mend, launder, cut down, and make up the clothes sent in. There must be unemployed dressmakers and tailoresses who could direct the cutting down and making up of children's garments. Less skilled folk could mend and launder and press. Many unemployed women are unskilled with their needles, and this would be an excellent opportunity to teach them how to make use of old garments by using the good parts for ! children's clothtes. There may be those who have no machines. Could not a room be provided where machines could be used by those requiring them? I have made a number of cardigans for young children out of old ones worn at the elbows. Carefully made, these cut-down cardigans look shopmade, and I should think dozens of people haye old cardigans and pullovers they could send in. I think a few receiving depots for parcels would be an excellent idea, or else, in some prominent place in Cathedral square, a large notice board should be put up, advising people that a van will call for parcels for the Unemployment Bureau and giving the telephone number. Here is an excellent idea for bed coverings. Keep all soft wool patches, old socks, etc., and cut till they lie flat. Sew all strongly together to cover whatever size bed the quilt Is required for. Then cover with cheap cretonne on both sides. This makes almost as warm a cover as an eiderdown and is quite pretty. Old tweed patches sewn together in this way, although too heavy for a blanket, make all the difference if placed underneath a thin mattress.

In Dunedin, during the war years, there used to be a stocking club at, I think, the HanoVer Street Baptist Church. Out of old stocking legs an

amazing variety o£ bloomers, jerseys, caps, and scarves were mad« for small children. Many people who cannot give in money or kind could give time, and if these ideas were carried out quite pleasant hours could be spent by all who took part and new friends made. I would suggest that each worker be given a cup of afternoon tea and two biscuits. I should be glad to give some tea myself for this purpose, should my idea be carried out. —Yours, etc., WELL-WISHER. Springston, April 8, 1933. [Mrs A. I. Fraer, deputy-chair-woman of the Women's Relief Association, said yesterday that provision was already made for doing the work suggested by the writer of the letter. At the association's rooms in the Majestic building, where there were many sewing machines, unemployed women were busy preparing the clothes sent in for distribution. In addition unemployed girls who needed it were given instruction in sewing at the sewing centre in the same building. Any others who wished to help could offer their services to the SI. John Auxiliary, which made up clothing for the unemployed. Any left-off clothing could be sent to the central depot in Lichfield street, and would be passed on to the association iI it needed making-over. The association was glad at all times to receive suggestions that would help it in its work.]