MAKE YOUR OWN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22391, 12 October 1934, Page 16

MAKE YOUR OWN

Everywhere now girls and women are wondering how they can possibly eke out their reduced dress allowances. The most obvious way and, if they do it well, the most practical, is for them to make their own clothes. First of all, I suggest that you set about learning dressmaking. If you are in a town, your technical institute will provide lessons very cheaply. If in the country your women’s institute will do the same, even more cheaply. If neither is available, then get a good dressmaker to give you a few lessons. She might be persuaded to let you do plain needlework—finishing seams, etc. — to help with the paying. Next, equip yourself for work. If you cannot afford a sewing machine of your own, try to get a few friends to form a syndicate and buy one between you. Or, if you can squeeze a small instalment out of your monthly income, buy one on the never-never plan. A heavy iron for pressing, good needles, pins, and scissors, and, if possible, an ironing board. Next begin, if you have not already done so, to follow to the letter instructoins given to you with paper patterns. So many amateurs seem to imagine that these instructions have been printed merely to decorate the pattern envelope! They ignore them completely, work up their garment as, best they may, and then wonder why it doesn't look like the picture on the envelope! _ Paper patterns are scientifically cut — they are fitted on models and pass under very severe scrutiny before you know' anything about them. Then, needlework experts take the trouble to write the history of their growth—surely, then, they are w'orth studying? When cutting is successful your'dress stands a good chance of fitting and looking chic. Tacking a garment together before sewing is well worth the extra time it entails. Remember that you are trying to beat the professional at her own game, and do not imagine that you can rush in where she fears to tread. . A critical survey of yourself in the tacked garment comes next, and last, but not least, the working up. Pressing goes on all the time. Seams as they occur sliould be pressed, and on no account left until the garment is complete. . Pressing must not be mistaken for ironing—see that your tuition includes a workable knowdedge of this essential factor. Buttonholes should receive special attention. If they are not “ jufh so,” they can be such “ give-aways.” Unless you are absolutely sure of yourself, then get the local tailor odd-jobs-man to do them for you. Suitability of material needs more than a casual thought—as also does quality. I’ve heard women say: “Just a length of material will do,” when, actually' they should have been straining their purses for the best possible piece obtainable. If you are tailoring a piece of material it must be good—or should be good. If you are merely running up a holiday frock, or a little something to wear in the house, then a remnant of “ as cheap as possible ” is good enough. It is foolish to use very cheap material for undies. Undies should be beautifully sewn, no matter how simply they are cut. For. you don’t want _to find that your stitches are outliving the matefial by years, do you? Most important of all is suitability of design. Please do see to this. Choose your styles to bring out your good points and to conceal your bad ones. For no one looks so badly dressed as the woman who is unsuitably dressed. —Home Chat.