NEW IDEAS for HIS BABYSHIP

Ladies' Mirror, Volume I, Issue 9, 1 March 1923, Page 30

NEW IDEAS for HIS BABYSHIP

by M.L.T.

A ‘C'VEN babies have their ( I -*- i fashion in dress, and lam \n sure if they could tell us, they would say the fashions have changed for the better even since the last baby-generation. When one thinks of the elaborate patterns and shapes, the seams and bindings, and yards and yards of material, to say nothing of lace and embroideries, it is a marvel those tender little bodies supported it all. Now - a - days, baby clothes are all as short as is compatible with warmth; fine and light in texture, and the trimming and style are of the simplestjust tiny hand - made edgings and a suggestion of embroidery or motif. Blessings on the Magyar sleeve that does away with a sometimes stiff little seam to chafe a baby’s arm. Babies are so complete in themselves, that they ne e d n o “trimming.” It is often said, “Well, I don’t know how it is, but baby always looks simply sweet in that frock, and yet there’s nothing in it!” No, just a scrap of fine soft material that makes you think at once of a baby, and finished with an edging of fine lace or hand stitchery. Can you imagine a baby in a whole lace-patterned frock? No, of course not, but you can in fine lawn or silk —and a great deal of love put into the making. We offer a group of suggestions for the tiny folk, all simple and adaptable.

The Magyar matinee coat is of crepe de chine, outlined and motif-set with filet crochet worked in Lister’s ■ oz. reel sewing silk, and the embroidered' trails are tiny forget-me-not-like flowers in many pastel colours. The- coat opens out entirely flat and is tied with ribbons under the arm. It will be found to be a little garment that will launder and look

like new each time. The mocassins are soft for baby feet, and resist the most vigorous kicks to dislodge them. They are of washing suede or chamois, skins of which can be bought from any leather merchant for a small sum, or they can be made from the arms of discarded long gloves, or white velveteen. The strap is cut in one with the shoes, but in the case of the lining it is better to cut a separate strip, as it allows more room for turnings.

The lining, with its edges turned in, is tacked all round on to the wrong side of the suede, then the heel seams are joined, and the sole gathered on to the heel buttonhole stitch from side to side is —and finally the entire edge is buttonholed round closely in a dainty colour, gathering the curved front in small pleats, and the half-circle front is then buttonholed in. Cut a strip about Jin. wide, fringe with sharp scissors, and stitch on last of all. A touch of embroidery in collour can be worked on the fronts. Two practical suggestions in painted wicker work come to us from America, and it should be possible to buy or have them made in New Zealand, but we suggest that an enthusiastic daddy-to-be could easily convert an ordinary willow baby cradle into the attractive article shown by the addition of a simply made frame and small wheels—even wooden ones ! The hood is mounted on willow rods, and the basketwork is painted a warm cream shade that tones well with pink, a baby’s real and only colour at first. A button-up pillow-case is useful for all time, and there are two suggestions for bonnet styles. A most up-to-date but sensible petti with shoulder straps looks as if it might belong to grown-up seventeen, while a coloured linen ball, whose cover gathers up for the convenience of the washer-lady, will appeal to the owners of an imp at the crawling stage.