Fashions and Furbelows.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18576, 26 September 1928, Page 13

Fashions and Furbelows.

THE ANIMAL CUSHION

SOME AMUSING NOTIONS FOR THE NURSFIRY PEOPLE. A big, fat* cosy cushion against which a little sleepy-head may lean, and which is also an amusing playwhat child could resist so intriguing an affair? Pillows and cushions made in the shape of quaint, animals and figures arc the latest, ideas in nursery accessories; and they're fashioned at home by any enterprising needle worker! To make a cuddly peasant doll pillow like the one illustrated you’ll need a length of plain casement cloth for the inner cushion cover, two or three pounds of hygienic filling, and some multi-coloured cotton pieces for the lady’s garments. The scrap-bag should vield many a gay cretonne oddment which will be just, the thing for fashioning a little apron, bodice, kerchief and so on. An oddment of pale pink cotton will also be needed for the lady’s face, arms and legs. Make the pillow which is to form the body the size that you preier it; lGin wide and 22in long is a convenient measurement. When you’ve sewn up three sides of the bag, it with the kapoc, pushing the stuffing well down into the lower corners, and running a gathering thread along the upper edges—diagram A. Pull up this thread —diagram B—and sew firmly. This sloped-away finish suggests the lady’s shoulders. The head is made from a twelve-inch circle of the pink cotton, gathered round the edge, pulled up and stuffed very tightly with kapoc. The features can be suggested with wool stitches and black boot buttons will simulate eves. Brown wool looped over ; the forehead for hair finishes off the face, which is now sewn firmly to the •* body," as shown ip diagram C Two little sauSage-like cushions of pink cotton will suggest our lady’s arms, and two more slightly larger sausages must be sewn on for legs. Diagram D gives a picture of the doll-pillow all ready to be dressed. A blue petticoat might come first, the edges should be stitched -down on

Notes by Special Contributors

to the bottom of the cushion itself. Then you might have a very full skirt of black, orange and green cretonne, with a wee bodice of scarlet cotton. A green fichu and apron, a red-and-whitc spotted head-kerchief, and puffed sleeves of yellow wilt complete a gay and fascinating costume. Black shoes can be suggested with scraps of old stockings firmly sewn into position as a finishing touch. You'll find that you can make animal pillows just as easily. A big foundation cushion comes first, as in the doll pillow, but must be used widthways instead of lengthways, to suggest the beastie’s body. Sketched is an elephant cushion of deep grey casement cloth, with four squatty little legs stitched in position, and with the head and ears joined firmly. A scrap of gaily printed cotton bound with contrasting wool braid makes a jolly little saddle —and Jumbo is ready to join in all kinds of thrilling jungle games! When tea-time comes he’s equally handy for two-year-old Peter can perch on him so that he can reach the nursery table! Once you begin all kinds of amusing

ideas will come; and you can soon fashion dolls, elephants, pigs, pussycats or anything else the little folk suggest. Try some, and see. SHOPPING WOMEN ENJOY. BUYING HAT, BROOCHES AND HANDKERCHIEFS. It is the novelties in the shop windows and in the showrooms which make shopping such a pleasure. Gay colours of materials, rich silks and soit, gleaming satins may bring a thrill because of their beauty, but vour true woman is much more thrilled by some thing which is entirely new and novel than by lovely things which she is unable to purchase. The Latest “ Hanky.” Handkerchiefs are so attractive just now. They should match, of course, the frock or jumper suit of their wearer, but, apart from their lovely colours, they are decorated in the most charming way. Quite a new one is 011I3' a tiny square —smaller, even, than usual. The hem is rolled instead of being sewn flat, and a cut-out initial or even a name in very small letters appears across one corner. Linen hankies are sold for ordinary day-time use—in white never, in colours always. But at night there is crepe de chine, ninon or very fine georgette to choose from. Scarves and Shawls. Everybody must have a scarf these days. Even with a plain house frock, or the office dress, there is some kind of neck adornment with hanging ends. It can be very wide and elaborate —of chiffon or painted ninon to wear with and match, an evening gown—-or narrow and of a serviceable material lo go with the serviceable dress. For the latter many women choose satin. A wisp of tulle with long ends has a charmingly artistic effect. Lace looks attractive and softens the face. Hat Brooches. Hat brooches are just as important on our more elaborately trimmed hats as they were on the little untrimmed. close-fitting shapes. They should be bright and sparkling, and the design is nearly always quaint or original. Brilliants are the most popular. Animals and birds are chosen a good deal, and there are any number of women who have a hat brooch to suggest some particular hobby or even the profession in which they are engaged. The hunting woman chooses a hound, and the racing woman a horse. The woman who breeds dogs has the particular type of animal in which she is interested, and the greyhound “fan” will appear in public with a smart little chapeau across which one of the leanbodied dogs she admires so much has been pinned. Pinky Pearls. Every woman still wears pearls. They are got up so beautifully for a very small sum that she can afford to change them very often, and to meet her demand for something new the shops arc always showing fresh designs, differing lengths, novel clasps and tones of cream and rose, which vary. Not quite so many rosy pearls are seen now. They were fashioned in such a bright pink for a little while that they were obviously not even very good imitations of the real thing, and women soon discarded them. There is a lovely new shade of deep cream in which there is just a suggestion of the very palest pink, and that seems to be the most fashionable tone of the moment.