HOW I LEARNED AT HOME TO MAKE MY OWN DRESSES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3487, 11 January 1921, Page 48

HOW I LEARNED AT HOME TO MAKE MY OWN DRESSES.

By

ELLEN PURDY CLARKE

A GRAND FREE OFFER

Yesterday, after lunch, I had just slipped into my new blue one-piece dress and was Betting ready to go down town, when the aoor-bell rang, and who should it be but Janet Whitelaw, whom I hadn’t seen for nearly six months. The first thing Janet exclaimed as she itood in the door was: “Oh, Ellen, tell me where in the world did you get that lovely dress?’’ “I made it all myself.” “But, Ellen I” she fairly gasped; “made it yourself! How, when, where did you ever learn? You never used to sew a ■titch 1” “I know I didn’t; but I made this dress just the same, and, not only this, but so many other things that I have more clothes than I ever had before.” “We'l, tell me this minute how you did it.” So 1 went to the wardrobe, and came back with an armful of things that made Janet stare in astonishment. - “To begin with,” I said, “this dress I have on is a reproduction of an exclusive model I saw in a shop window, marked £9. It cost me exactly 64s for the materials, and I think they are really of bettor quality. And here’s an evening dress that Jack says is the prettiest thing "I ever wore. I copied it from a fashion magazine, and the materials cost exactly 355. Then I have made two house dresses, four aprons, a taffeta petticoat, and underclothing, that I have saved more than £2 on.” “Bub you haven’t told me yet,” insisted Janet, “where you learned.” “Well, then, listen and you shall hear. About four months ago I read about a .school of dressmaking that had developed a wonderful new plan through which one Could learn Dressmaking or Millinery at home in spare time. I began to think how much it would mean if I could make my own clothes; so I wrote to them. They explained everything free, and told just exactly how you could learn every step, 6ven though you had no experience whatever. Why. think. Janet, more than 12,000 women and girls have already learned to make their own clothes and hats by this new plan. You see.' it doesn’t make the slightest difference where you live —in city, email towns, or in the country —all are *' learning with the same success as if they were together in a classroom. Isn’t it wonderful ? “Welk I took it up, and T soon realised how casv it is to learn without leaving home. Every stop is explained so clearly,

and there are hundreds of illustrations to show just exactly what to do.” But Janet broke in right here: “Ellen, this is wonderful! Tell me how I can learn all about it myself.” So I told her that if she would send to the Associated School of Dressmaking, Sydney, and would tell them that she was most interested in learning Dressmaking or Mil linery at Home, they would send her by return past, absolutely without charge, all particulars of the marvellous Associated System. And if you, my dear reader, would like to know more about how you can have more and prettier clothes or hats and save money, as I am doing. 1 suggest that you, too, write promptly, being sure to mention the Otago Witness, and state whether you are Mrs or Miss. .SEND NO MONEY; simply state whether you are interested in Dressmaking or Millinery, and send your name and address NOW. to the ASSOCIATED SCHOOL OF DRESSMAKING, 12 Canberra House. 295-7 Elizabeth street. SYDNEY.