IN FASHION’S REALM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3899, 4 December 1928, Page 64

IN FASHION’S REALM.

UP-TO-DATE DRESS NOTES.

By

Marguerite.

(Special for the Otago Witness.) (£ Snowy white table linen is always correct, and although some people may like mats and coloured damask (bordered or . otherwise), white table linen will always hold its own with people of good taste and refinement. In Ireland, where all good linen comes from, the manufacturers have been working to make a shade which will not offend the critical eve and have a dignity of design. “ Oakapple is the colour they have produced. This lovely new colour is a soft parchment tone with just a touch of bronze about it. It will tone with mahogany or walnut furniture or in a “ period ” dining room will look to be in its right setting. The design itself, in a slightly lighter shade, stands out almost m relief, so satin-like is the surface of the damask. One of the most beautiful designs is adapted from a piece of velvet of the fourteenth century, and is applied in a novel manner., A strip runs down the centre of the cloth, and further strips run across the cloth, so that the plates will lie in the centre of each group. Table napkins are made to match these cloths, and it is wise to buy a double quantity, as they always wear out before the tablecloths, and it is hard to match a pattern again. If the reserve ones are being put away, wash and wrap in blue paper to prevent their turning yellow. Coloured napery is not for formal use. Check cloths for luncheon or breakfast may be used, and for happy, care-free, out-door luncheons there are buttercupcoloured cloths or delicate mauves and greens. Originality as well as beauty is expressed in a two-tone cloth with a white ground and a deep border of a design, in black and pale pink. This lends itself to charming table decorations with black bowls, pansies, sweet peas, and roses. A real summer tablecloth in a hand-embroidered cloth is a handsome addition to the linen cupboard. Buy double-width linen, work a border, and a large spray in the corners, and finish with deep filet lace. Work a matching spray in the centre of the cloth, for, being larger than a supper cloth, there is too much space left of the plain linen. The table napkins with just a border worked are sufficiently decorative if they have in addition narrower lace edging. This “ set ” will be the envy of your friends. * * *

This illustrates a bouffant evening frock with the new ribbon motifs. These motifs will be made as large as they can be without looking ridiculous. There are six around the hem, and they should be 12in in diameter, each one. The frock is in brown chiffon, a new golden-brown shade, with stiff ribbon motifs shading from dull yellow for the outer layers to the shade of brown for the centres, where rose diamonds glitter and sparkle to form the stamens of the flowers. The effect is gorgeous. A large bow is at the centre of the back of the waist, finished with a diamond ornament. The bodice has small flowers all over, worked in gold metal thread. These motifs are “ something different ” from the usual frills ana flounces and the conventional vogue of beads. One of these chic picture frocks ■which I saw was of black chiffon with, blue motifs like huge asters. A chou of blue petals fell from the side. The bodice had lines of ruched chiffon.

This illustrates a dress showing the vogue for the long narrow scarf, initialled, and further decorated with a small pocket. A tastefully designed jumper suit in almond green, its buttons and belt are in white, and the scarf and the embroidery in the shade of green or green and white. Or the suit could be in black with the scarf lined wit yellow and the embroidery done in yellow. I like the

initials cut ont of silk or woollen fabric and embroidered on to the garment with couching—laying one or two thick threads of silk or wool around the outline and over-sewing them at intervals with a finer silk. It looks more striking than buttonholing.’ This couching could also be worked if linen is chosen for the suit. Have an organdie scarf and work carefully on it.

A fabric rose or organdie- or other stiff cotton fabric is being shown on small hats intended to be worn with washing suits. A matching rose is added for the shoulder.

■ If a piece of wide tape is sewn around the armhole of children's dresses and adults’ overalls it will save many a tear, and; being sold coloured, can match the material, so will not be noticeable.

This dainty little blouse is suitable for the bodice of a dress as well, if desired. The jabot is part of the fold which finishes the neck line. After the blouse is made this wide piece of material is softly folded round the neck and attaches

with a few stitches, one end being left as a jabot. The blouse has a loose, straight bottom, and can be worn under or over the skirt. It is of wool voile or printed silk. The fold and jabot of plain material would look pretty.

This, shows some half-dozen embroidery stitches. No. 1 is a couching stitch or buttonhole picot edge, which is more elaborate than the ordinary couching. A French knot is formed, which' gives a very effective finish fcr hems, .etc. No.

2 is overcasting for cut embroidery. No. 3 is satin stitch for small leaves

and designs that do not need to be padded. No. 4 is Venetian ladder stitch, useful for a variety of purposes. No. 5 is background stitch for raffia work. The sixth is netting stitch, which is most effective for linen, and can be embroidered over when finished. It is decorative for guest towels, corners of shams, etc.

As we all seem to receive so many hankies for Christmas presents, the housewife will be glad to find a use for them for repairing worn pillow slips, which generally wear in the middle while the rest of the slip is still in fair condition. Put a plain hemstitched handkerchief diamond-wise on the part that is worn. Sew neatly round the edge. For a fancy slip use a pretty embroidered edged one. This handkerchief patching will be found most useful for lengthening the life of slips which otherwise would be useless.

Fascinating little slippers can be made from coloured macrame string. Make all in one with a sole like that of babies’ knitted or crocheted shoes. Use one ball for a size 3 pair. Line with Jap silk and finish with a silk pompom. These shoes, which wear well and look dainty, would make inexpensive Christmas gifts.