Notes For Women

Wairarapa Daily Times, 7 January 1928, Page 6

Notes For Women

Fashions; Hints and Recipes.

Caring for Fragile Hosiery. Fragile hosiery of the sheer, chiffon type requires tender care if its usefulness is to be sufficiently prolonged to justify, even ki a measure, the original outlay. According to those who specialise in the sale of these delicate stockings, the average woman is astonishingly careless in the way she tries on a new pair. Instead of giving the silken mesh the same consideration she would give to the fitting of a glove, she thrusts the foot into the full length of the stock, forcing its way down to the toe, regardless of whether the scam at

plentiful supply of simple frocks of silky material for hot weather; at certain seasons of tlie year, when travelling to and from England or America, there is a long stretch of very hot days, and a fresh frock every day is a necessity —just such simple cool ones that fold away into nothing when you are packing. I’lenty of underwear, too, of the same clasS, which may be rinsed through and dried overnight in your cabin without causing any inconveni-

ence is necessary. Make sure that all luggage and baggage is clearly and correctly marked; otherwise you may find yourself in a predicament when told that your trunk, with all your tropical clothing, lias gone into the not-wauted-on-thc-voyagc hold, and that you _ must grin and bear it, or spend money on more clothes at your first port of call, when half the hot period is over. • • • *

the back is straight or whether a silken thread or two catches during the process. Small wonder it is that so many delicate stockings are returned after the first trying on, the purchasers claiming that some imperfection • has been discovered. To give a sheer stocking a fair chance, it should be put on, not only the first time, but always' with the greatest consideration for the dedicate fabric. Some stocking expert claim that there is less Strain when t U- stocking is put on wrong side out, with _ the llc ‘ cl T lllled -Ttllll Slid the toe thrust in ; ,J' n st(^ k ' ing is often Added after washing', even more simple than this, and equally kind to the delicate mesh, is what is termed “booting’’ or “footing” a stockings. This is done by slipping both thumbs inside the top of the stockings and gathering its entire length, using the fingers on the outside and the thumbs inside. With a little liractice this can be done in a moment, and the scam at the back kept straight 'aii3 equidistant from each, thumb; j while these are still holding the stocking from the inside. The wearer’s toe j slips easily into place without Piling *on the upper part "of the Ilfisc. Theii, With thumbs still controlling the gathered stocking, it is gradually loosened from angle to calf and upward to the top. There is no strain, no twisting of the weave, and consequently no straightening of the back seam after the stocking is on. Once tlii§ little trick is mastered, it is as easy to put a stocking on in this careful way as it was formerly to hold the hose at full length and let the foot work its way

Getting Inside a Bottle. Here are three good tips which make cleaning a bottle a simple affair. Xo. I.—Powder some black mustard seed and put a few spoonfuls in the bottle with a little lukewarm water. After shaking well for a few minutes, ■ • and rinse out two or three empT ? , . -old water. Xo trace of times with v, ... m rcmaill . sediment or smell >, llcarl full Xo. 2. —Fill the bottle ■ , jcen with warm waecr to which has added a tablespoonful of baking soda, and some crushed eggshells. Allow this to stand for several hours, shaking occasionally, then rinse with warm water and ammonia, finally rinsing with cold water. Xo. B. —This is SO simple-, gift in some Very fine coal ies , add a little told Wntibh find shake vigorously for two Or three minutes. Rinse out, then add a little charcoal powder. Shake it well inside the bottle, and leave in for about one hour. Then rinse well with cold water.

jHints About Irons. Although the ordinary flat iron is still commonly in use, the electric iron has become extremely popular of recent years, owing to the fact that it is quickly and cleanly heated. Another kind, the spirit iron, which is heated by means of methylated spirit, is very useful when on travel, since it is easy to heat and easy to pack. When buying an iron, it is most important to choose one which has a perfectly smooth surface and a very firm handle. Sizes four, five and six are the most convenient for ordinary work, the larger sizes being chiefly employed in big laundries. It is difficult to iron with perfectly new irons, and for this reason they should be seasoned before being used. Heat them, then clean in the ordinary way, and allow them to cool. Repeat this process once a day, and at the end of a few days tho irons will be ready for use.

* The careful woman often prevents wear on the heel of the stocking by pasting a tiny strip of velvet into the heel of each shoe. This prevents friction and consequent wear. Many women have found it worth while to reinforce the tip of both heel and toe with a few rows of neatly run stitches in fine silk of the exact shade of the stocking. It is surprising what a difference these invisible aids make in the wearing qualities of a sheer stocking. Another first aid to delicate stockings is to sew on a projecting bit of ribbon to meet each garter fastening. An inch and a half of ribbon doubled to form an upturning loop is sufficient to catch each fastener. For an expensive stocking this is well worth while. (Evciujyith the best of care, troublesome runs of the “ladder” type will start, and the only remedy is t» take them in time. Shops specialising in fine hosiery usually have a repair department employing women who have learned to pick up a dropped stitch with a fine crochet needle, so that the damage cannot be detected. The saleswomen at the hosiery counter in department shops often have the names of women doing such work, and are glad to recommend them. This repair service is not expensive, considering the cost of a new pair of stockings. *** * *

Irons should occasionally be scrubbed in hot, strong soda-water, and after heating they should always be treated in the following manner: Sprinkle a little dry brickdust over a piece of thick brown paper, Rub the iron first on this, and next in a cloth which has a little beeswax folded inside. Complete the operation by rubbing the irons thoroughly on a clean duster. The importance of storing irons in a perfectly dry place cannot be overestimated. If they arc allowed to become rusty, "their surface will be permanently spoilt, even although the rust may be removed. The wisest procedure is to rub them over with grease and wrap them in brown paper. * * * *

An Eastern Beauty Secret. A famous explorer said some time ago that. Turkish women place faith in a sweetmeat which they make as a cure for hoarse and unbeautiful voices. They cook equal parts of figs and apricots with the same quantity of sugar, and when it is reduced to a jam-like consistency, they dry it in -the sun, and eat it as a sweet meat. It is said to be an infallible cure for an unlovely voice. * * * * Shingle Lore. “Short hair,’;, says the “is dying out.” -Never was there a more mistake* idea. The Parisienne favours a shingle cut ,that is more sleek and severe than overhand in London the craze of the Spindly curl is just catching on. * * * « A Parting Hint. Do you ever regret the fact that the only time your parting looks scrupulously white and clean is immediately /ifter a shampoo? A daily rub with a piece of cotton-wool soaked in sal volatile will keep one’s parting clean pnd dainty. * * * « To Blacken Brown Boots. A method to permanently blacken brown boots: First wash the leather with warm, soapy water, and dry thoroughly before applying g coat of finishing ink, Finishing ink is obtainable at any shoemaker’s. Two pennyworth will blacken four pairs of boots. Two coats of the ink should be applied. * f ? fl Wet Boots and Shoes. * Place wet boots on their sides, puli the uppers as flat as possible and allow the boots to dry. This position exposes the soles to the an, and dues them more quickly. If boot-trees arc not possessed, fill boots and shoes with soft,' crumped paper so that the shapers retained. * * * * Long Journeys. "Girls making a long sea -voyage ’ -should include in their dress list a

How to Nail. Tory few women (and quite a lot of men!) don’t seem able to drive in a nail properly. This is because they don’t take into account the composition of the wall. Most walls are made of lath and plaster, and if your nail is to hold up some heavy object, it must not be driven into the plaster. So find out the position of the uprights which hold the lath and plaster in place and drive your nail into one of -them.

They are quite easy to locate if you go along the wall in a horizontal line, tapping it with your knuckles. The wall will sound alternately solid and hollow, where the uprights are. That is the place to drive in a nail, and once you’ve mastered this fact you’ll have no more unslightly holes in your wall when you go picture-hanging. * * * * Exposed Water Pipes. Wrap any water-pipes in an exposed position round with straw, covered with sacking or old pieces of felt. On very frosty nights leave a little oil lamp burning in the bathroom, and don’t as sometimes advised, leave the taps dripping. Have a look, too, at your stop-cock, just in case your pipes do freeze and you want to turn the water off in a hurry. If it’s stiff and hard to move, oil it well and keep a spanner somewhere handy.