Fashions Up-to-Date

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 11, 15 November 1919, Page 29

Fashions Up-to-Date

[By Dolores.]

An Old Raincoat. Do you just discard your raincoat when it begins to look shabby, and you feel the time has come to get a new one? Probably so, and yet this is a pity, for an old worn-out raincoat is by no means the useless article that the majority of people consider it. This was very effectively proved to me the other day when I went to see

a friend, who, as I tell her, has a mania for making something out of nothing. Ever since the war began she has been working hard in this direction, and usually with more or less success, but really she excelled herself when she cut up the raincoat.

First of all she thoroughly cleaned it, and then cut it into the shapes required.

I was not very surprised to find that she had made herself a new sponge bag; when tone opmes to think of it that is rather a natural thing to start on. Even the apron did not take away my breath—it was the neat little air cushion that appealed to me most of all, for it was

so utterly unexpected; "Sharp scissors, glue, and a good niachino, plus my own thinking powers, are all I need," she said with a smile at my amazed look. As I still was rather at a loss, she went a little more into details as to how she made these articles.

The back, she told me, was the best part to use for the apron, as one can get a wide sweep there without any joins, while the pockets could easily he /but. out lof the sleeves. TheVe would be plenty of left-over strips to supply the strings, so these need hardly be taken into account whtfn planning out what articles the coat will run to. To make the material go as far as possible, cut the

sponge bag out of the top part of one of the fronts, as this, being a small article, does not require much width. This will leave plenty for the cushion and small carry-all.

When all these articles have been made there will not he much of the original garment left—and what there is may be thrown away without any qualms. ® ® ® Black and White. In her house-furnishings or in dress there is nothing that will express a woman's individuality a%s black and white. A room in which the foundation scheme of decoration is black and white is at once striking and beautiful, yet it was not a popular idea with art decorators until women led the way in frocking. Then it was noticed that in any gathering of women, those who wore black and,! white were among the best dressed. One of the loveliest designs that could be imagined was worn at the races a week ago. It was black, made as straight as a pinafore, and embroidered in black and ivory in such a way as. to give a tunic effect. A cape of black charmeu.se, lined with ivory, and showing a turned back, collar of ivory embroidered in black, added to its charm. With this was worn a big tulle hat trimmed with white roses—a model that would look well with any black and white striped frocks. Black-and-white stripes in satin, or in silk voile over white make up beautifully and promise to be very fashionable. - ® ® • -;® To Remove Stains. The tomato is full of a ceriain acid that will clean your wood-work or your ,stained fingers. ;;.Next time yon have obstinate ink-stains on your hands, rub them with a.slice of tomato, and see how quickly the marks will disappear. Hub it,well over the table-top, and the wooden part of your safe, and you will be delighted with their white appearance. ® ® © Sewing Machine Oil. A good machine oil can be made by mixing 3 spoonfuls of olive oil with one of kerosene. ® ® ® To Keep Linen White. Put clothes away in a pillow slip that has been over-blued; clothes that are yellow should be washed in the usual way, and blued in verystrong blue water. Then wash them once more, this time blue them very slightly, and they will come snowwhite.