CUTTING OUT.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18165, 1 November 1930, Page 15 (Supplement)

CUTTING OUT.

FOR THE HOME DRESSMAKER. Don't start and cut out a frock until you have carefully measured the pattern against the material. You may not have enough. Don't forget that you can cut the sleeve and a front or hack out of one width of the material. Don’t use pins for fitting—they fall out. Get someone to tack it. Don’t begin and worry about the detail; get the line correct and work from that. A hint to the girl who has'the flair for cutting out without a pattern. Fold the material down the length of the bodice or frock, make a hole for the neck, and cut the shoulders five inches long each side, with the sleeve end two inches from the fold. Always use a good pattern for a hip-yoke skirt. Get a simple pattern and use it for a foundation. When the fitting is to be done, always put on the undies you are going to. wear with the frock. Girls often fit their spring clothes while still wearing their woolies. 'Sew the shoulder seams first, and then they are much easier to fit. The French seam everything—it is neater and sets better. Overstitching a seam tends to tighten it. The greatest art in dressmaking is being able to bind neatly. Use the material double for binding chiffon and lace. Get the back fitting well, whether it be in a washing dress or an evening frock. This is very important. Tackling that Flare. Put the seam of the sleeve slightly to the front, and ease it,in. For levelling a flared skirt, lie on the floor and measure it level from the waist-line. There is no need to bother binding flares. Picot edges look well in all the light materials. The minute the neck is cut out, run a draw thread around it. It prevents it stretching. Press everything as you go along. It saves time in the long run.

When copying a frock, cut it first in paper and see if it is correct. Vests are hard to fit in well. Use the piece out out of the frock as a basis for the vest pattern. Pleated flared flounces are new. Cut out the flare three times the required size, pleat at top, and press in lightly. This looks particularly effective in chiffon.

Don’t risk anything; the measure tape should be your constant companion.