Beach Skirt and Bonnet

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 94, 14 January 1939, Page 3 (Supplement)

Beach Skirt and Bonnet

Colourful Accessories to Wear With Your Swimming Suit

(By

Violet M. Williams)

FASHIONS abroad give us the jolly styles of this skirt and bonnet set. Carried out in a gaily patterned cotton, a decorative set is made which proves useful, as well as decorative, beach attire. After the bathe the bonnet may be slipped on over damp curls which are being set back into place; the brim to the Ji eac ldress providing shade to skin recently submerged in salt water. The skirt imay be tied into place over a dry bathing costume, ready to be discarded in an instant when a second bathe is suggested.

T? RIGHT cords form the waist belt to the skirt, and also provide a practical and decorative means of fastening it. The bonnet echoes these cords as well, one at each side being tied into perky bows. The bonnet may be opened out flat for washing and ironing, and the bi’iglit cords are the only means necessary for the reshaping of the bonnet when it is ready for wear once more. Eyelet holes are pierced and worked in the brim and back portion of the bonnet so that when cords are drawn through them and tied firmly the bonnet is shaped. The diagram marked A in the larger illustration shows the sizes of two

pieces of material required to form the bonnet, dots indicating tiie positions of the eyelet holes. In the second illustration the two portions which go to make up the skirt are given.

As may be seen from the diagrams, little cutting and sewing is required to make up this set; the effect depending entirely upon the gaiety of the cotton print chosen for the making of it.

The bonnet may be lined with a plain colour if you wish. If a cream material with a blue pattern is chosen for the set, for instance, a plain blue material could be selected as a lining with very smart effect. The brim of the bonnet is lined also. With the colour scheme suggested above, scarlet, blue and white cords may be used for the tie at the skirt waist, and scarlet cords may hold the shape of the bonnet. Wooden beads may be threaded on to each end of cord, this being knotted to prevent them slipping off. Cut out the material for the bonnet as in A, second portions being cut exactly Ihe same in the lining material.

Run a tacking thread along the edge indicated by a dotted line, and draw

it up to the number of inches shown in the diagram. Pin it to the brim portion and then try on. Pin together the parts to be eyeletted later, and now make any adjustments as to size.

Unpin the portions and take out the running thread, then tack the lining to the outer material with their right sides inside. Leave the edge to be gathered open, also the inner edge of the brim, and turn the portions to the right sides with the aid of these. Run a thread along the double edge and draw it up as before. Turn in the open brim edges and tack them. Insert the gathered edges of the other portion of the bonnet between these and tack the neatened edges of the brim over them, then machine. Make the eyelet holes as in diagram C, using scarlet wool, and thread cords of about 7in. length through after pressing the bonnet. Turn up a hem on the skirt for about 3in. and hem tiie two raw edges

neatly. Gather up the lop edge to your own waist measurement. Fold the waist belt of the skirt to the wrong side, and machine the two ends. Turn tiie band to its right side

and turn in and tack the two raw edges. Insert the gathered portion of tiie skirt between these, and machine. Your cords should measure about 18in. more than your waist measurement. Ready-made dressing or bathing gown cords may be used, il you wish. Fin them 011 Io the waist baud and then sew them into place firmly from the back of the band. Tie the whole lot into one large bow when the skirt is in use.