USEFUL HINTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 50, 22 November 1907, Page 3

USEFUL HINTS.

Old piano stools when fitted with a top of pine boards are most useful for revolving tea tables; especially as the really old ones of rosowood or mahogany are beautifully carved and therefore serve for ornament aq well. Tho present style of having the armholo outlined by a wide bias fold of silk the same colour as the frock opens up great possibilities for the gown that has grown too narrow across the back or chest, and so do the bias folds in tuck effect with which many of the newest drosses are trimmed. When the armholo is trimmed as mentioned tho rest of the waist is generally in Eton coat effect with a fancilfully cut band at border, and is worn over a lace or net waist with ruffled sleeves in olbow length. What was formerly tho sleeve in the waist can bo transformed into a sleeve cap, looso and short, and with these few touches the old waist is completely up-to-date. A dress sent to bo dyed should have the horn ripped out as tho mark ordinarily at horn odgo is effaced during the process. This too makes it an easy matter to romedy tho shrinkage, as a false hem of silk can be added with comparatively little trouble. The waistband should always bo left on, and if the skirfe.shrinks in breadth as well as longth tho extra length gained by the false hem permits the skirt to bo raised at waistline until wido enough at hips, when tho belt is finally taken off in the renovating process.

To keep veils from getting that flared effect at edges do not roll them, but fold in a square' instead, carefully smoothing'out the ends where it has been tied. A gentdo shako will take out any creases over the other parts,, and the veil will last much longer if these hints are followed, and a fresh-looking voil is necessary when any is worn.

Skirts trimmed with folds of silk or velvet ribbon in tuck effects can have any necessary piecoing for lengthening or freshening tho dress at lower part, done beneath ono of these bands, and the same holds good for waists similarly, ornamented. Frequently a waist is found to bo hopelessly short-waisted, and for such instances tho cross-wise folds seoin specially to have been invented. It is bettor to mako the folds take a slight upward curve to the middle front from sides and there placo little loop bows, for a straight-across line will surely prove unbecoming.

Soap is one of the articles that should always be purchased in quantity, so that it may be well seasoned before being used. When soap is new it is hard on the hands, and so soft that it wastes in the water. Purchaso a box of soap and pile it up loosely in a dry place. When thoroughly dried, pack in tho box. If you have not a placo for drying and keeping your soap, purchase tbe well-sea-soned article in small quantities. Soap should not bo stored oponly in the pantry, as it will impart its odour to many of the food materials. When well seasoned, and each bar wrapped in paper, it may bo stored on a top shelf, if there is no other place for it. When there is an attic store it there. If your home is to bo closed for the summor, do not leavo the gas range in a dirty condition. Have it well cleaned, and while it is still warm apply a coat of some oil. Leave the oven doors open, cover the top of stove with newspapers, and over iliem an old quilt, or something of the sort. If this is not doho, the chances are tbe stove will be rusty, to say nothing of tho dust that will have accumulated in it. A paste of salad oil and salt is said to romovo the white marks on polished trays or tables occasioned by placing heated dishes boated dishes. Tho mixture should bo spread lightly over the stain, and allowed to remain an hour. It may then be romovod with a soft, dry cloth, and the discolouration will vanish with it. An easy way to sprinkle clothes is to take a quart fruit-jar, which has a metal screw-top lined with porcelain,, remove tho porcelain by breaking it with a hammer, and, with an awl; make six holes in a circle in tho metal top; then screw it on the jar tightly, using the rubbor ring for it, just as you would if you wore using it for preserves. This is a handy sprinkler, and saves .much time and strength. Be sure to make only six holes, and to have them quite small. Moro wardrobe room may bo obtained by putting a poTo (an old broom-hnndlo is good for the purpose) from sido to side in tho wardrobe and placing wire hangers on the pole. These will-preserve tho shape of the clothes, and a number of garments can bo put on the pole, oven in a shallow wardrobe.

Those who like best the plain simplicity of the present skirt (says an English paper) had better enjoy it while it stays with us, as thoro are certainly signs of a return of the double and treble tiered kind, and tho tunic, while wo hear distant rumours of differing materials, which should introduce! a now note of contrast into the coming gowns, and open up a vista of possibilities, ono of which is tho unpleasant suggestion of wuiglit. But nowadays really good dressmakers and tailors are extremely clover is avoiding this groat drawback, especially so since smart women arc now too wise •to accept such an unhealthy burden, and simply refuse to countenance such models as have failed to escape