THE CARE OF CLOTHES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1020, 9 January 1911, Page 9

THE CARE OF CLOTHES.

There arc little rules in the matter of dress that go farther towards making the well-dressed woman than all the study of Paris fashions (says -an Australian writer). There is, for instance, the right or wrong way to put on a blouse. If it is n boned and fitted bodite, first fasten the waist, and hook the collar at the base of the throat; then fasten the collar, and then the hooks or buttons, beginning at the top. There is also a right or wrong way to put away blouses, especially those of fine material. A light bodice of chiffon 6r satin with a thin- lace yoke should be laid out flat in a drawer, and not suspended from a hanger, as tho weight of the bodice.is likely to stretch the yoke out cf shape, and weakens tho threads of the lace so that it will tear easily. Stuff the sleeves and shoulders with tissue paper and hooli the collar, as well as tho blouse, part of the way down the back. Fold over a width of tissue paper tho height of tho collar, overlap the ends, and fasten with stitches, and fit .it inside. Bay out best blouse in a drawer with layers of tissue paper between them, and do not put any heavy garments on top of them. Collar bones which are broken should be ripped out and renewed immediately. Have your collars neatly hooked or fastened with buttons and loops, and they will wear twice as long as When you depend on pins. Lace or net collars and yokes may be cleaned by powdering the lace thickly with calcined magnesia; then lay the waist between sheets of tissue paper, and at the end of two or three days the powder may be gently shaken out. Tailored suits need to be frequently looked over, and if there are any spots from grease or dirt remove them. After the suit has been thoroughly cleaned careful pressing will make it look like now. If the skirt is plaited lay each plait, in place and baste: in position. Before laying the skirt on the ironing-board hook tho waistband and keep the skirt and plaits in a straight lino from 'the waistband to the bottom of the skirt, as you press, to prevent tho skirt from stretching. Dampen, a clean white muslin cloth, lay it on tho cloth, and press every portion of the skirt and coat with, a moderately hot iron until dry. A sleeve-board oh which to press a sleeve is best, although if you havti not one roll a Turkish towel the full length and draw through the. sleeve and press over this. In removing the basting cut the threads at each stitch to prevent wrinkling the material.

When putting a skirt away use a hanger which comes for this purpose, or use tapes, which arc sewed in on each side of the under portion of .the waistband. Never hang a coat by a tape sewed at the back .of the neck, as it wrinkles the back of the coat .to an unsightly manner. Hang it on a coat-hanger, which will support it with an even balance in the same manner that the body does. If it is a best suit._ which is not .worn every day, cover it with.a muslin bag made lor this purpose, drawn lip with a string at the top. One can utilise old nightgowns nicely in this way, or even a cast-dlf blouse will serve to keep dust from a coat or dress. The condition of the coverings in a short time will prove to what extent your garments have'been'protected. Watch your coat lining, as it is sure to slip its-stitches at the armhole or shoulder from the constant strain of taking it off and putting it on'. In taking off clothes of all kinds, including hats, before putting them away. It is l leaving the dust in clothes which gives them that rusty, brown appearance.