HELPFUL HINTS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 940, 9 December 1933, Page 20 (Supplement)

HELPFUL HINTS.

A Knitted Scarf for Tailored Suit. CARE OF YOUR CLOTHES. 1 Many oT the new eoats being neckles*, it remains for a little scarf to fill the void. This is an opportunity for the introduction of colour, cither by way of contrast or by matching the 6carf exactly to the material of the coat. Charming little scarves can be made quickly which serve tins purpose. A brown coat, for instance, may need the fillip of a little colour, and a short, thick scarf, tied once immediately under the chin, and in henna colouring, makes an admirable touch. Some shades of purple also supplement some shades of brown, just as reddish Michaelmas daisies go admirably with brownish chrysanthemums. Best of all are the pale beige shades, which may have scarves exactly matching or have pale yellows or ochres to make a contrast. The putty colourings in some rough wool can be matched exactly with a short scarf. This should be long enough to hang round the neck with both ends about five inches from the natural waist. It can be about fifteen inches wide. The scarf is merely plain knitting to make irregularity ol surface. Large needled are chosen to go with two-ply wool. Anything from fifty to sixty stitches serves the purpose, according to whether the knitter knits tightly or loosely. It is not much trouble to try a few rows, and if they are not bunchy enough to put on a few more stitches. With the big needles tlic work proceeds apace. The effect is loose and lacy, and the looseness causes the scarf to bunch up well round the neck. The main point is to choose the wool well. Tliiu Angora is best, though this may cause a little sneezing. The more irregular the wool the better the effect of the tic. WHEN PRESSING CLOTHES. Most of us do not make full use of our irons in pressing-clothes. A wellpressed suit, although shabby, looks far better than a newer suit which lias never received the attentions of a pressing-iron, and has been allowed to stay creased and crumpled. It is quite a good plan to’overhaul suits at regular intervals and, after sjKmging and brushing them well, give them a thorough pressing. When pressing dark material place a folded newspaper between the material and the hot iron. This is better than a damp cloth, for the heat of the iron brings out just the right amount of moisture. A garment should “steam’* when taken from the board. If the pressing has been sufficiently vigorous to cause shiny spots* damp lightly again and go over it with a very hot iron, creating plenty of steam. The secret of good pressing lies in uniform, not in hard, pressure. Far better results are obtained by going over cloth three or even four times lightly than by going over it once very heavily. To press out a fold, lay the material on a flat, fairly soft surface, and slide the iron gently across the fold—never along it. If you work along it it will leave a “baggy’* look. Never place the irons directly on the material. Place thin muslin or cambric between the fabric and the iron. If you are ironing silk you may use tissue paper. CARE OF STOCKINGS. The average woman spends quite a lot of money on stockings—that is to say, that even if her dress allowance is a tiny one, a large proportion w spent on stockings. Washing and mending them also takes a lot of time, for to-day no one would dream of wearing stockings that were the slightest bit soiled or bad a tiny hole. Even fine darns arc seldom seen, although, of course, the careful woman takes pains in darning very neatly all holes and ladders, blit stockings that are obviously darned arc rarely seen out of doors. It is quite a good plan to use up old stockings in the house in the mornings. There is no need to buy expensive stockings, for nowadays one can buy pretty stockings that fit well and wear well quite cheaply. If a ladder appears suddenly, and there is a piece of soap obtainable, rub the moistened tip of this over tlic end of the ladder, and it will cause the threads to become sticky and hold together for a time. If soap is unobtainable moisten the tip of your finger in your mouth, and this will help a little until you can get some soap. If there is any pull on the ladder from a suspender, loosen it as much as you can. If you have a pair of stockings that are very old but you wish to wear once more, rub a little soap on from the wrong side on any [daces that have worn thin. When putting on your stockings, draw them on carefully inside out by tucking in the toe and slipping your foot into this first. Before fastening on the suspenders see that the back seam is straight, and, if necessary, tighten or loosen your suspenders. TO WASH SHANTUNG. If the shantung is new, soak it for half an hour in cold water to which has liecn added one tablespoonful of .vinegar. Rinse and squeeze in warm, soapy water, rinse again in warm and then in cold water, shake well, and dry with as few creases as possible. Iron when perfectly dry on the right side, using a hot iron. HANDY HINTS. You can remove the smell of onion* from a saucepan by rubbing it thoroughly with salt and then washing it in warm water. When baking potatoes, grease them first with a little butter, and when cooked they will be brown and crisp, with an attractive glazed appearance. Rub powdered borax on fruit stains on linen, then pour boiling water tlirougli the fabric before washing and boiling it. When buying skin gloves of any kind, hold them up to tlic light in order to detect any weak parts in the skin. Choose those through which the light does not penetrate. To distinguish mushrooms from poisonous fungi, sprinkle a little salt over the gills. If they turn black the mushrooms are wholesome; if they turu yellow they arc poisonous. When stew'ing prunes, after washing and soaking them all night, add a breakfasteupful of cold tea to the water in which they arc cooked. This will improve syrup and flavour. Petrol will remove grease stains, but soap and water or a weak solution of ammonia and water are necessary for stains in which there is any sugar. When using |»ctrol, remember it is highly inflammable. Here is a recipe for a home-made brass polish:—Mix together two gille each of turpentine and methylated spirit, one and a half gills of sweet oil. anfl «*ne gill of vinegar. Keep well corked and shake before using.