FURBELOWS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16739, 22 May 1922, Page 9

FURBELOWS

LINGERIE FROM PARIS

(By PAULINE COURLANDER). Just when you are quite sure that you have 'seen the loveliest underclothes that were ever mad© in the Rue St Honor©, you notice that the very loveliest are, after all, to be found in the Avenue de F Opera, at least until you see the ones in the Rue de la Paix ; and even then you are not quit© sure whether the most lovely of all are not the ones in the Palace Ven domes. In fact, Paris is at its most tempting and distracting to those in search of lingerie and only the size of your purse can ever help you to make up your mind. There are two distinct sets of underclothes: those for morning or sporting wear, when the tailor-made and jersey have their say. and those for silken and satin and lacey occasions.

The real genius of the French designer is shown even more in the plainer garments than in lace3* ones. Just a little exquisite needlework, the slope of a hem, the introduction of a dash of colour, and i\ commonplace thing is transformed into a dream. Batiste, *linen and Japanese silk are most often used for simple underclothes, in white or in colours. Some have only a wide hem and a row of drawn thread work adorning them, some have a lace motif inlaid and worked round with coloured linen thread and rely on that and hemstitched hem for their sole ornament.

There are some charming “ conibinaisons ” which are not. as might well be supposed, the same thing ns “ combinations ” but combined petticoats and camisoles. One especially is worth marking; it is of very fine white linen with a knife pleated panel in front from neck to hem. Rows of hemstitched frills, narrow round the hips and getting gradually wider towards the hem make it most suitable for wearing with wide skirted frocks of taffeta or foulard. A charming fancy is the addition of a monogram embroidered in fine washing silk or thread both on underclothes and blouses. The pocket or tab of a blouse are sometimes chosen ns the most suitable place on which to apply the monogram and a littlq, turnover tab in the front of a hemstitched chemise complete with monogram may be recommended. Quite narrow edgings of real lace—either torchon or Valenciennes—may be

mentioned in tho same breath a.s little t groups of embroidered dots or holes. Groups of three holes worked horizontally and vertically so as to form a

little cube and alternated by slots through which a ribbon can be threaded make a pretty and simple embroidery for a hem. The Frenchwoman is not fond of elaborately trimmed underclothes, and

? relies more on cut and beauty of fabric than on masses of lace or embroideryThese she reserves rather for the frocks of her children. The poor little things are often so smothered in frills and I laces that only the most self-conscious • deportment seems possible, and romping is left to the more fortunate child j pO'Sesse<| of sensible plain clothes. Crepe “de chine and Japanese silk in pale colours, finely stitched by hand and edged with filet lace, are made into most attractive undergarments and may he embroidered in colour in such simple designs as a bunch of cherries, a few moss roses or violets, all done in very pale shades, and the ; lace should be of the narrowest There are also some charming printed linen lawns which only need a hemstitched edge of plain coloured linen or a narrow pattern worked in coloured thread on the hem. TO STONE OLIVES. Out two small slits, a quarter of an j ed knife, and pare the “ meat " off ' The olive must be turned round three | times, keeping the knife at not too sharp an angle Hoee to the stone. The “ meat ” will then be in one curled piece which can easily be worked round any stuffing. TO PREVENT TFIE HEADS OF BEDS INJURING THE WALD PAPER. Fasten a length of picture moulding to the skirting and paint it to match the woodwork. The castors come in contact with the moulding but the bed and paper never meet. TO KEEP A SHOE TONGUE IN POSITION. • Cut two small slits, nquarter of an inch apart, side by side at the top of the tongue. The laces must be passed through the slits before lacing the top eyelets. The tongue wi.il then be held in position. TANGLED WOOL OR SILK. Busy workers have discovered that this can be prevented hy the aid of an ordinary funnel. It must be turned upside down and the cotton or wool passed through the neck It can be made quite ornamental if it is enamelled and painted with a Chinese design.