THE PAINTED CURTAIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1077, 15 September 1930, Page 5

THE PAINTED CURTAIN

A NOVELTY DECORATION The fashion grows apace of paint* ing the walls of a room to simulate details architectural or decorative. *or example, a charming effect was exploited in a dainty bedroom. On the wall, high up in the corner above the bed, was fixed one of the wooden err owns which are usually supplied with curtain draperies. In this case, however, the curtain festoons had been paintea on the two adjacent walls. The artist had obviously amused herself depicting the little “waterfalls’* into which the simulated materials had fallen at the ends, and

enjoyed the introduction of little metal rosettes at points where the j painting had suggested the need of [ some means of holding the festoons j in position. Something of the same idea has been ! developed in connection w ith picture i arrangements. In a house where the j windows are draped in green taffeta and the walls enamelled old ivory, each picture upon the walls is surmounted by a small painted drapery, exactly matching the window curtains in tone. This drapery falls gracefully down the sides of the picture, and beautifully enhances the effect of the window' treatment. Similarly is the device of the painted curtain used in communicating rooms, the door that separated the two having been removed. Round the rectangular opening (which as a rule creates a very bleak effect), is painted a graceful curtain which harmonises in colour with the rest of the decorations. The frieze may be an extension of j the same idea, with painted tassels j punctuating the length of it, the actual window pelmet serving as model for this. JAPAN’S KIMONO QUEEN British women are never likely to adopt the kimono tor out-door wear, but they are finding, as their mothers found some years ago, that it serves many useful purposes indoors. In Japan, however, the kimono is worn : generally by both sexes, and the i average Japanese has five new ones ■ each year. ! At one time the manufacture ot kimonos presented a serious economic problem. Approximately three hundred and fifty million are made every year for home use, and there is, in addition, a large export trade. The old method of manufacture was so slow that it frequently took a worker more than a day to wad the bottom of a garment. But 'a few years ago there arose in Japan a sewing genius named Tsuya Okuda, and her methods have so revolutionised the industry that It js now possible to make a complete kimono in about ninety minutes. Tsuya Okuda, as a girl, was classed as slightly mad because she used to shut herself away in a dark room for the purpose and pleasure ot thinking. At the age of 12, she astonished her fisher-folk critics by inventing a method of sewing complete designs inside a narrow-necked bottle ' J 1 ’® cloth conforming so closely to -u~ contour of the glass that :it seemed < n Kp growing on it. I a.ter on she turned her attention j to the kimono. By an ingenious method of doubling it’posthe hems and seams, she found it pos cible to make a kimono out of one uncut piece. As all Japanese materials are narrow, and as the are ripped apart, washed, and remade, twice a year, this method of manufacture has proved a great convenience. Styles never change In Japan, so that Madame Okuda’s pattern will piobahlv serve for all time. At the same time, Madame Okuda invented a new method of sewjng The needle is held steady in the right hand while the material is moved bv the left hand with a shuttle motion. The stitches made are of uniform size and the system is much faster titan the European one, in which the needle weaves in and out of the stationary material. On intricate wadding work, Madame Okuda’s method has proved to be faster than machine-sewing. In recognition of her work, Madame Okuda was appointed chief sewing instructor for the nation. It is esti mated that her system of kimonomaking saves ■three-quarters °f the labour formerly employed. Today her methods are being taught all over TaDau by graduates of the Okuda Girls Sng High School, where 600 pupils are constantly In residence. qcj