Fashions and Furbelows

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18062, 24 January 1927, Page 9

Fashions and Furbelows

notes by special contributors.

ITEMS OF INTEREST. “ Odd ” skirts are no longer pleated all round. Those in the sports category are made with a few large pleats set close together. in the case of softer materials, gatherings at the top of the skirt are the general rule. Three or four rows of these gathers arc made by single threads of silk running round the skirt at intervals of two or three inches. In the jewellery salons opals are accorded all the honours. These iridescent gems are obviously the season s favourites. Drop-earrings, pendants and chains, all give ideal finishing touch to those toilettes de soiree that are fashioned in the modish opalescent shades. , ~ , Butterflies “straight from Nature as to colouring and design arc the newest shoe and handbag ornanwnU They also inspire the btioutier, for butterflv pendants are the demit 1 ' ll Tiny " papillons ” perch on buttonhole posies, ; nd painted butterflies decorate the bare upper arm when Madame dons her evening regalia.

YOUR SHOULDER STRAPS. On simple underwear, such as a slim chemise of schappe silk or fine white lingerie fabric, very narrow’ slioulder straps of self-material are much more appropriate than ribbon. And they arc a perfect, joy from the wash-and wear point cf view, as one pair of straps, well made and properly sewn on, last as long as the garment they Nearly all the most beautiful Italian hand-made lingerie is finished with self-straps, so daintily slender that you might think fairies had made them. They're very strong, all the same, never twist in wear, and look demure—4f they should happen to show occasionally. 'ibis is the way they're made: $ First measure a spare strip of your lingerie material for length and mark with pins. Then measure an inch in width, or rather less if the stuff is very firm. To cut absolutelv straight, put two threads the length of the strap and cut along the lines. Put. the cut edges together and cither machine or sew with small running stitches and occasional back-stitch. Oversew the edges neatly, if the stuff is the fraying sort; if not, you can safely leave them raw. Now comes the tricky little job of turning the strap inside out. There arc several ways of doing it, but quite the best is to sew a bit of narrow tape, ribbon or selvedge to one end of the straps on the single thickness, mind, not right through the open end. Attach a bodkin to the bit of tape, pass it through the open end, and pull gently till the strap is inside out. At this point in the making, be sure to iron the straps very carefully, pressing with the seam to one side, which gives the nice, sharp, slim look. Turn in the raw edges at each end of the straps with your needle and oversew them with the tiniest stitches you know how to make.

WATCH YOUR STEP!

HINTS TO THE DANCING GIRL. I f you would look as pretty when you return from a dance as you do on arrival you must look after your feet. Many tired faces in the ballroom are accounted for through sore and liot feet. If vour shoes arc not smooth and free from creases on the insoles, tlien surely you will suffer. Stockings, too, must not. wrinkle on soles, but must fit just perfectly. Silk or lisle soles often get hard through the feet perspiring, but if a pair of very fine cashmere “ feet ” are worn underneath the dance stockings there will be fewer complaints of “Oh mv poor feet!” Before going to a dance the feet should be bathed in hot water and common salt, and a pinch of mustard added. While the feet arc still hot. rub the solos and instep with lemon juice, allow it to dry on the skin, then dust, with boric powder This treatment will ensure “ glad ” feet all the evening. No matter how rushed one is for time, the feet must never be neglected on dance night.