MAINLY FOR WOMEN

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 June 1935, Page 9

MAINLY FOR WOMEN

HEMS OF INTEREST

BRIDES USE LACE.

(By Hon. Mrs C. W. Forester).

Lace can be old yet new, recalling famous pictures from the past and suggesting new ones for the present. Wonderful patterns have been resuscitated, and in many textures. Heavy

and fine Italian designs, as. well as Chantilly, noedlerun, blond; or the rq-ottecl-nets and the new stiffened ■ight, but small, crisp patterns—all are in request. The tall bride will do well to take Cull advantage of the many varieties in point de Vcnise, as a border to the moulded magnificence of ivory brocade or satin faconne. No less lovely is the- full skirt and hoit corsage with deep frills and cape of lighter lace. It would seem certain that lace is the dominating note in the bridal retinue this summer. Nothing is more attractive for the maids who follow the bride at June weddings than the delicately tinted net with tiny frills and insertions of lace. One recent bride wore a particularly beautiful panel of old Italian lace

Conning a petticoat on thick creamy otin. Over this came a sort of polonaise, with train of satin bordered with the Kime fabric plaited. A Medici collar qf the lace and deep cavalier cuffs completed a square-cut tabbed satin corsage. A true-lover’s knot in rubies and diamonds was the sole ornament. Clouds of tulle formed the very long veil. Where there is a separate train from the shoulder a good way of utilising the family lace flounces is to gather them up in a centre panel, leaving the fabric at each side, which is -o often lined with silver.

There have always been effective golden brides, but, as the case also with silver, there are many tones in 2.01 d. Ice-blue and silver or parchment and a dead gold are a wonderful wedding choice for brides who can carry* off such magnificence. Lace can add further beauty either in the bordering of the veil and train, or assisting one of the latest rustling silken under-slips. The entirely lace bridal robe is- another affair. Unless of very fine fragile design it is apt to be heavy. Some of the newer light patterns in very pale, shades make up very successfully. Finest and palest pink net was chosen by a spring bride, who placed it over pale silver tissue. The bodice seemed to be more of a cape that floated away with the veil. She was followed by six small children, simiattired. 'They carried, pink roses with silver streamers, and wore silver shoes.

JUNE COLOURS. ■ Pink seems a favourite colour this summer, even/more so than the muchvaunted blue. There is, however, a •ery lovely shade in a powdered-blue taffeta shot-white, and a moire shotsilver. I must not. forget a rather novel fabric that will be worn by a June bride—-a thick faille with large spots of satin faconne. It will be made up in stiff sil£en style—round, full, and “standing alone” on the ground. The gown will lace up the back, and the neck drapery is to be caught up in front by sprays of white lilies. Cuffs of the same flowers finish the long mitten-sleeves, and a diadem of lilies and orange blossom are to support a, long tulle veil. Another and rather more romantic fabric is a creamy taffeta embroidered in rosebuds. This is for an all-white bride, but with her the train and under-slip (that shows under the looped up drapery in front) is to be of fine Valenciennes lace.

HARD WATER.

HOW TO SOFTEN

Hard water, which makes, satisfactory laundering impossible, is one of 'he difficulties many country housewives have to face. There are several ways of overcoming this “hardness” in the water, but it is neces•ary to select the most economical. Of course, the water can be softened by boiling (as will be seen by the “fur” which collects inside kettles used in “hard” water districts), but for the large amounts needed for washing purposes this is practically useless. Washing soda, borax, or ammonia will each remove the hardness, but it is difficult to state exactly how much of each should be added to soften water, .for the hardness varies so much with the district. It is therefore' necessary to experiment a little to obtain satisfactory results. Try each of the softeners in turn to see which suits the water best. Measure a little cf each softener, and stir into a gallon of water, then try to make a lather for washing. As soon as the later can be obtained easily you have arrived at the approximate amount of softener required for each gallon. If too much is added ft serves no further purpose with softening the wqter, and may weaken the fabrics washed in it. A handy form of adding soda to the water is to make a strong solution, dissolving 11b of soda in a quart of boiling water, and bottle. Use as required. it will be found that in most instances two tablespoons of , this solution to each gallon of water will be sufficient.

Fabrics which have become discoloured by constant washing in hard water may be restored to their pure colour by the addition of a little turpentine to the softened water. Use soap in the, ordinary way and boil vigorously for about 10 minutes. Fast boiling colours should also be boiled xccasionally, but without the turpentine to remove any discolouration caused by soap curd forming in unsoftened water. When the turpentine is added for the white clothes, add in the proportion of one tablespoon of turpentine to each 10 gallons of water.

FROM PARIS.

HAREM SKIRTS & FLAT SANDALS

; Highlights from the mid-season [ Paris dress collections which are now , proceeding include a sensational de- . velopment of the harem-skirt revival, which was tentatively launched by a , few dress. designers at the beginning . of the year, writes the “Sydney Mornling Herald” overseas correspondent. Some of these frocks feature the harem skirt in chiffon, transparent to show long chiffon trousers worn beneath, while others are trousers pure and simple, with a slit each side to put the foot through. The new flatheeled sandals with which Paris has been dallying during the last fewweeks are invariably worn with these. They consist of a perfectly flat sole, with just the merest suggestion of a heel, and the whole of the upper is composed of narrow thongs of gold or silver, lavishly embroidered in Eastern fashion with scintillating jewels.* The fashion of covering the head for evening is another one that has gained in favour. As well as the “ihram” of Schiaparelli, and the Red Riding Hood of Mainbocher, there is a new’ one consisting of a tiny square shawl in silk or linen called the “Italian Primitive,” and which strongly suggests 'the peasant shawl which women in early Italian old masters wear. None of the hair is revealed, and coy glimpses only of the face are -seen. Whether this fashion catches on during the-social season just opened remains to be seen. Less sensational, but far more elegant, are the simple, little .flowerprinted crepe suits which are being shown as an alternative to the wispy, freakish Ascot gown which is being aired year after year. A wonderful flowered frock from Patou —an evening gown—has a pattern which is a tangle of mauve, violet, green, and white poppies, which has a slinky line, a high-draped bodice, and a skirt that trails slightly at the back. Another famous designer has a .perfect riot of flowered fabrics, especially field flowers. There are scarlet poppies, vividly blue cornflowers, cowslips in bright yellow, and bits and pieces of grass or corn. He adds to this by wreaths of these same flowers for the hair and huge corsage chiffons, tied with gay sashes; and Schiaparelli’s large-patterned satins, in blooms that sometimes measure six inches across, are important fashion features.

In London recently Victor Stiebel, the young British designer, showed some effective floweerd coats and skirts in both silk and cotton fabrics. Invariably the pattern was largesomething like the flowered wallpapers of twenty-five years ago, but-infin itely more vivid in colour. A huge daisy print in black, white and pink was especially effective. One of the evening gowns shown was of chalk white satin with a shoulder-cape of stiffened wide-mesh-ed net in a brilliant shade of cerise, similar to that used for the fashionable eye-veils; while another new fashion note was the stitched white satin tailored belt on a black chiffon evening gown.

METHYLATED SPIRIT. Methylated spirit has many uses in the home. Windows .which are cleaned with methylated spirit are brighter, last cleaner for a longer period, and do not become steamy as they do when cleaned with water. Mirrors are Cleaned more effectively, with methylated spirit than with water, as it evaporates more readily than water and does not damage the backing of the mirror. Silver and lacquered brass acquire a brighter shine if a little methylated spirit is applied to them before polishing, it is useful for cleaning piano keys which have become yellow. Mahogany furniture can be cleaned with warm water and methylated spirit, and a few quick dabs with methylated spirit, followed by an application of furniture cream, will remove white marks on french polish. Photographs can be cleaned without injuring the surface by rubbing them gently with cotton wool dipped in methylated spirit. It will also remove stains from brown shoes. Copying ink and sealing-wax stains can be removed by soaking the fabric in methylated spirit, and paint and varnish stains can be removed from frocks and delicate fabrics by rubbing with a mixture of two parts Of methylated spirit to one of turpentine. If a little methylated spirit is poured into the rinsing water in which silk garments have been washed, a gloss will be given to the garment when ironing; and in the case of white silk it prevents the silk from becoming a yellow colour.

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. From Gordon and Gotch, Christchurch: — Weldon’s Ladies’ Journal, for June includes free patterns of short-sleeved morning frock, long-sleeved afternoon frock, three-quarter coat with cape sleeves, also film fashions, styles for the business girl, new blouses, colour plate of Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose. Film Fashionland, May: This issue contains free pattern of day frock as worn by Betty Furness, eleven pages of newest film fashions, etc. Weldon’s Bazaar of Children’s Fashions. June: Contains free patterns of girl’s blazer and girl’s tub frock 7-8 years, playtime dress and frilled dress 3-4 years, gratis transfer—Dutch figures —for embroidery etc., 16-page supplement of newest fashions, and exclusive articles.