GIFTS TO PLEASE A MAN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 10, 10 December 1936, Page 20

GIFTS TO PLEASE A MAN.

WHICH A WOMAN CAN MAKE. NECKTIES USEFUL. (Copyright.) Gifts a woman can make for men are few, that is if they are to be actually used by the men. There are plenty of Christmas gifts a man gets which represent time and money to the makers, but which are a total loss as far as being of any practical utility to him. Most women have come to understand this, and they get a bit discouraged trying to think what to give even to the men in their own family. The necktie suggested to-day is sure to please provided, of course, that you follow the known preferences of the men. Every man has to have neckties and the more he has the better pleased he will be, always providing, as mentioned before, that they are chosen to suit his taste.

There are exquisite heavy silks suitable to make into neckties, either four-in-hand or string ties. There are choice cotton prints, pongees, and printed silks which lend themselves admirably to the making of neckties. Stripes and dots as well as plain col - ours are good selections, although small figures also have their place. Blue is a safe colour, and blue and white or blue and beige are good combinations of colours. In speaking of these colours as safe, I mean that blue, dark, light, and in combinations is a favourite necktie colour. Thoie are men, to be sure, who seldom wear it, unless it is extremely dark such as midnight blue or navy blue. So be sure to get colours that will be liked, and stick to conservative and inconspicuous patterns. Neckties are cut on the bias, and the expensive ties are in one length. The ties can be in two lengths if the joining seam comes in the centre back and is neatly taken. A necktie has an interlining which does not extend to the ends of the tie, however. Flannel makes a good interlining.

Neckties can be inexpensive gifts if a number are made from one piece of silk, even though this cost several shillings a yard. This is because it takes so little to make a tie. One tie is expensive because the tie must be cut on the bias, and silk is sold cut on the straight of the goods. To take a strip of it through the centre is wasteful. It should l>e remembered that men.often pay four or five shillings for a single necktie. From one yard of silk at such prices, several ties can be cut, each one of which would command a price equal to the whole yard of silk. A necktie pattern can bo made by ripping an old necktie apart, anil pressing it, being careful to iron the tie with the weave, not across it as this would stretch it out of shape.