HOME ECONOMICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17567, 18 June 1925, Page 14

HOME ECONOMICS.

ALONG THE WAV. I'm singin' of a song to you Along the way! 1 m weavin' roses from the dew. An' stars from skies that Love makes blue- - I'm singin’ of a song to you, Along the way! I'm singin’—reapin’ of the rue, Along the way! I’m savin’ that'for all I knew Of fame, an’ name, an* fortune, too, The sweetest thought’s the thought of Along the way! I’m singin’ in the lonesome night Along the way ! ” I m sa vin’ “ Wrong has trampled Right, But Love is mailed in truth and might, llis hand my strength—his eves my light. Along the way I” > And so, the song grows sweeter still Along the way! No gloom shall blight—no care shall kill— No bleak an’ barren winter chill The life that sweetly docs Love’s will Along the way! —“ Atlanta Constitution.” During the past week the weather has been so unsatisfactory, and has received so much condemnation that it was rather amusing to hear a gallant young defender of his native country (even in the matter of weather) exclaim in a crowded tramcar the other day that this sort of weather would be thought quite delightful in England —even in the summer, lie went on to explain that on the ship in which lie returned from England a few months ago, "An English Summer” appeared at a fancy dress ball arrayed in heavy niacin tosdi and sou’-wester. So perhaps we arc rather unreasonable to complain of a few bitterly cold days in the very depth of winter—even when they occur on a date so important to us Home Economists as that of M : ss M’Gill’s lecture on clothing on Friday evening last. In spite of the inclement, weather a large audience assembled to hear Miss M’Gill, who, like Dr Lilian Storms, has such a bright, winning personality that she immediately establishes the pleasantest possible relationship between herself and her hearers. Miss. M’Gill said that the general public had long been under the impression that "home science” meant cookcry and fine needlework. But clothing was something more than fine scams and beautiful sewing. Clothing had many phases, economical and historical. To plan a costume successfully one had to understand something of the principles of design. People were inclined to think of Art as something quite apart from everyday life, but this was a great mistake- Art was not only something that was learnt in an art school; it should touch every detail of home life. Much might be done to make even their food look as well as taste attractive. " Sometimes, with regard to fashion, v.e are very like sheep. Wc allow it to lead us to wear garments in atrocious style. How do styles originate? Great fashion designers get together at certain times and plan fashions for several seasons ahead. They send out their mannequins (chosen because of their strikingly beautiful figures) to wear garments made in these fashions ia all places where the idle rich congregate. Very soon these fashions are copied, with the result of making per sons with only ordinary figures look absolutely frightful. We must begin to think of ourselves as individuals who have face, form and general individuality, and must always remember that a costume which may be beautiful in itself may also be absolutely unsuited to the lines of our figures or tho c ntours of our faces. As one of the leading designers of tho world has said, A slave to fashion is a sinner against art.'’ Lot us think for a moment of what fashion has done in tho past. Consider th© terrible bodily deformities demanded by fashion amongst many of th© South Sea Islanders; ta.tooing of face and body by the Maoris; the cramping of feet in China. The Chines© women arc proud of being unable to work owing to tbeir deformed feet, and the extremely high heels sometimes indulged in liavo the same effect in making nr, incapable of doing work that we should rejoice in. “Ideals ar© changing. Women hare higher ideals and a.ro fitting themselves for work in the world that they have never dono before. To work efficiently women must bo suitably dressed : for outdoor work, they must have sensible shoes and clothes that bang from the shoulders. It is just as important to select material carefully as it is to make it up well. Sewing is not the nil important thing now. What principles of Art may we select to build upon with regard to clothing? Vo must study : - 1 Proportion, i.c., tli© pleasing relationship of all parts of an object to each other and to tho whole. 2 Subordination. There is a centra] thought in every well-planned costume, and every costume must subordinate itself to its wearer—wc should sec the wearer, not tho costume, first. 3 Balance. Sports have helped us in this. We plan sports costumes to express strength and energy. There arc two kinds of balance—(a) symmetrical balance, two sides exactly alike, and (b) balance so that interest is divided, e.g., sash on one side and pocket on another. 4 Rhythm, which may be shown by regular repetition as in Swiss embroidery and in many other ways. Wo may havo rhythm in transitional lines as in evening garments where wo have the long flowing curves expressing beauty and joy. “ Do not think too much of detail in costume until you havo got the constructional lines right. Take your figure and make the best of it as it is. If tall, look well as a tall person, ami look well also if you are short. To appear tall: I—Paco some point of interest nt top and bottom of costume. 2- Us© unbroken lines. Keep centre of interest to centre of figure. Mako sides less important. 3—Avoid decorations at side. Reverse these rules if you wish to appear shorter and broader than you really are. Remember that too many points of interest spoil tho harmony d, Miss M'Giir s a lecture 1 was illustrated by many beautiful lantern slides, by a variety of very attractive costumes and party frocks most kindly lent for the evening bv “ Death's.” and by th..* cookery uniform worn at Studliolmc j House, which was shown to illustrate Miss M’GiU’s remark that “dignified housekeeping requires a special costume. ’’ At the conclusion of her lecture, one of the most interesting ever delivered to the association. Miss M’Gill was accorded a, very hearty vote of thanks. Our next meeting will be held on Juno 26, when Dr Blackmoro will lecture on “Tho Welfare of the Child.’’ I Letters from correspondents will bo I printed in the next publication of this I column. A.&. •