THE LETTER OF ELIZABETH ANNE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19239, 28 November 1930, Page 10

THE LETTER OF ELIZABETH ANNE.

PRISCILLA, MY DEAR,— A fascinating and artistic method of disposing of old gramophone records is to make them into dainty pin trays or bowls for odds and ends. First remove, with a sponge and warm water, the paper label bearing the title. Next choose as a model a cheap china or glass bowl of the shape you want, lay the record flat upon the top and place in a warm, but not hot. After a few minutes the wax will soften and gently fall into the mould. A little pressure with the fingers every now and then will hasten the process and ensure a satisfactory replica. When this has been effected, remove from the oven and leave to harden for a few hours, when it will be found the wax impression Will lift both easily and cleanly from its china foundation. When it is cold, smooth gently all over with a piece of fine sandpaper, to remove any roughness which may have appeared during the baking, and also to produce a good surface for painting. The small aperture in the middle of the record can be filled in with cork, secured by a strong adhesive. Of course you can colour them quite easily, painting any design that you like. Chinese lacquer lends itself readily as a foundation decoration, as it dries with a smooth, hard surface. This is quite a good idea for novel Christmas presents, you try it, Priscilla. With the long slim-fitting frocks that

are being worn, we will have to think of new ideas for our lingerie. If, .my dear, you can afford to buy the dainty undies that are for sale in the shops, so much the better, you will save a great deal of time and worry. But for most of us, who have only a small allowance with which to buy everything, a large amount will be saved by choosing your materials wisely and making the garments at home, in your spare t : me. Undies aid the gowns under which they are worn so that any extra fullness (used just because you have the material and hate to waste it) is not necessary and of course all seams should be as small and neat as possible. As the French say, “ English women will never make neat garments until they make smaller seams.'’ The latest colourings for lingerie are very feminine. Gossamer triple ninon, in the palest green, or primrose or cyclamen is quite the newest and, daintily hemstitched and edged with fine lace, would make a charming set. Soft rosecolour beaute or the same in a delightful shade of jade, makes dainty pyjamas. For dressing-gourns of the plainer kind, a most useful and becoming material is silk brocade, which has the great advantage of never crushing, and consequently packs well. Floral Shantungs also make realistic kimonos. Underthings should be the keynote of one’s outfit, so beautiful that it seems a pity to hide them, yet they are within the reach of any purse—for the cotton fabrics seen to-day are every bit as daintv and in as many glorious colours, as the more expensive silks. — Ever yours, ELIZABETH ANNE w r*i ns m !*l I*l ®®El !H 111 I*l El E3E3 E 3 SI 11 5