THE CARE OF CLOTHES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 72, 18 December 1907, Page 3

THE CARE OF CLOTHES.

The, miracle of looking neat on a little money is not hard to explain, and a very little investigation shows that"if clothes aro to last they must be looked after. Girls who manage well are most punctilious as to how they put away their garments. They never hang up their coats on a- peg, but provide themselves .with & ''shoulder," which can be bought made of .wood ! and'with a good strong hook for a few pence; this will keep the back of the coat in good shape, and will add-to its life m consequence in rio small degree. In the same way the skirts are treated with-proper regard; they are provided with two tapes, one on either side of the band, and the skirt is hung up. so as. to leave the. front width extended, thus ensuring that no creases arc introduced to mar. its appearance. The sleeves of chiffon and lace blouses ar ( c stuffed out with tissue-paper before being' put aivav in a drawer, and layers of paper are placed between tho bodices of afternoon gowns. Old evening gowns are transformed into new evening petticoats, and,aro bcflounced with remnants of lace gathered together at the sales, while the well-cut underskirts of taffetas or, satin which the economical girl likc-s to possess, dissemble under, many different overskirts, and assist greatly in the provision of a variety of evening gowns. AH.sorts,of. "dodges" assist the clover damsel. She knows how to clean her white furs with powdered magnesia, and she is very cautious as to the way she removes all spots and blemishes from her garments so soon - as they are discovered. She can curl a feather and steam up the surface of velvet, and knows how to lather hoi- washleathcr gloves to perfection. She boots and pulls out- the lingers of evory.glovo sho wears, and her veils: last, longer than those of most people because she takes so much care of thom. Then, too, there are great advantages for the girl who has been taught to sew,. She picks up ti lace collar or a strip of embroidery, and makes a capital renovation out of small. resources, simply becauso she has clever fingers. Beaded buttons and buckles are a favourite occupation just now, and these, with a touch of laco, will smarten up a -.'tea" or frock of ..which the wearer had become weary. And then, too, there aro all sorts of dainty little "slips" of silk and embroidery which, introduced down the froiit. of a dress, make some, little change of idea which will rejuvenate it in the most desirable way.

But no amount of ..trimming will.make up for' Actual caro. The pressing-out of muslins, the thorough brushing tof .tweed, and cloth gowns, careful attention to braids and h'cms, arid heedfidiless of missing buttons and hooks and ryes are the simple methods which look so., like miraclcs when they are put into practice.' What is a fortune to ono man is penury- to another, and compensation works out morti evenly than we imagine. , Financial. talent is not given to everybody, and it takns .time and.a good deal of patienco to loarn to adjust ways to means; but still, it is to be done.

The Society for the Protection of Women and Children acknowledges the following subscriptions Dr. .Truby King, £10 10s.; Mr. Newton King, £25; Mrs. S. A. Rhodes, £5 os.; Mr. J. CI. W. Aitken, M.H.R., and Mrs. 11. I). Bell, £2 2s. cach; Ross and Glendinnirtg and liing, Harris and Co., £1 Is. each; Mrs. S. Dowries, Mr. W. H. S. Mobrehouse, Mr. G. Winder, Thompson and Lewis, l'Os. each ; Briscoe and Co., 10s. Gd.; Miss Sorley, Mis. Richie, Mrs. J. M. Richardson, Mrs. Gibbons, Mr. F. G. Dalzicli, Mrs. John Myers, Mrs. P. Myers, os. each; Mrs. Cecil Jones, 2s. 6d.; also clothing from Mrs. W. Fell and Lady Stout.