HOW TO SEW

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 302, 17 September 1936, Page 5

HOW TO SEW

Ruth Wyeth Spears

COLLAR, CUFFS AND POCKET TRIMMING FROM A MAN’S HANDKERCHIEF 1 !

f, 6 .x—< l& " If you want to make a smart little cotton frock with an unusual trimming at the neckline, sleeves and pocket, the easiest thing you can do is cut collar, cuffs ai]d pocket trim from a man’s handkerchief with a coloured border. It is best to choose the handkerchief first, as you will find it much easier to match the colour of the border in fabric than to match fabrics with a handkerchief. A white linen handkerchief with woven stripes or drawn-in threads in colour is nicest to use, though a fine cotton one with coloured border does very well. Approximately 16 inches square is the best size. Cut the neckline of the dress quite high, with a slashed face opening in the centre front. Face the opening and then, when the collar has been cut. shape the neckline to fit it. The method of cutting the collar from one side of the handkerchief is shown here at A. The ends of the collar are 5 inches deen. and the cen-

tre back 4 inches deep. The cuff pieces are cut as shown at B and C. The short side of the triangle that makes each cuff is 6 inches deep, as shown, and the other straight edges of the cuff triangles use what is left of the bordered edge, from which the euds of the collar are cut. The bias edge of the cuff is sewn to the bottom of the sleeve, with the point of the cuff toward the front. The material for the pocket trimming is cut as shown here at D. If the handkerchief is made of linen you will want to save the centre piece and make a jabot with lace on the edge to wear with other dresses. The best way to join a collar to a dress of this kind is to place it wrong side down on the right side of the neck edge, then place a narrow bias facing strip on top. Sew the three edges together find then turn the facing down over the seam and hem it in place. The same method may be used for joining the cuffs to the sleeves.