FEMININE MATTERS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 525, 11 December 1912, Page 7

FEMININE MATTERS.

WASHING UNDERWEAR. The only way to use pure flannel is to have it shrunk before making it up, and to have it always washed at home under one's own personal supervision. It requires so much care in the washing that it is unreasonable to expect that laundry people can give it the requisite attention unless extra charge is made for so doing. It may be -.out of place to mention here that it is a great mistake to think that flannels should not be washed in hot water, for, as a matter of fact, flannels, if you' want them to keep soft and pliable, should never be allowed to* get cold while wet. Wash in hot soapy water, and again .in clear hot water as many times as required to get out ■ the soap, and dry in hot sun, hot air, or before a hot fire. It is cold water that shrinks and hardens any kind of woollen material, and if you allow the wet things to get cold you might just as well soak them in cold-water. Never rub the soap on flannel or woollen materials, and never rub the garment, only press and squeeze out the dirt in the strong soapy water. Wring in a dry towel first, then shake and puil out in front of a fire and dry in the heat, and you will find your flannels keep soft and pliable for as long as you arc able to wear them in a whole condition, and even after. Never attempt to dry woollen garments out of doors in winter, or cold weather.

BOY'S NIGHTSHIRT.

The making of a boy's flannel night-shirt or day-s'hirt is a very simple affair, provided a good pattern is handy. The design of the flannel shirt illustrated may be recommended. Well-shrunk flannel should be selected for the making up of the garment, and it should be cut of ample length even then, to allow for possible shrinkage, and a good hem allowed. The shirt is made

with a yoke-piece and short collarband, to which is added a turn-over collar of the flannel material, andfastens in front, of course, in the usual way. The strap that runs along the placket is stitched at each edge and contains the necessary but-ton-holes, and it should be scarcely necessary to add that the base of the placket must be strengthened againstsplitting.. The long sleeves are completed" by cuffs, fastened with buttons, and a breast-pocket with en-velojje-flap is added. TWELVE BEST HINTS FOR SAVING DOMESTIC DRUDGERY. i . Take a mental note of your day's work ; then try to do the dirtv part of it at one stretch. . This saves the necessity for frequent change of apron, or washing of hands. 2. When going up or coming downstairs, look round to see what vmi, can take with you; it lvroch. time and many steps. -5. Save the weekly wash by using strong'brown paper li;om pai--els will do for aprons and sleeves when doing dirty work; alter wasning up rinse your thiough el Tan hot water, and put it to dry for next time. 4. Have a shelf or small cupboard near your cooking stove for such things as spice, salt, pepper, etc., to save your steps. , As far as possible, have plain simple furniture) with few drapeiies. 6. Think forward and work to time so as not to get rushed at the end. 7. Clear up as you go -along, and so avoiti getting into a inuddle. 8. Put everything into «ts place as soon as it is done with. 9. Tench' the children to help you bv keeping themselves and their belongings neat and tidy. ; 10. Let vour men-k'-nd get your coal; in an! chop your wood; do' not be tco oroud. to ask th^m. 11. Arrange vour work evenly, as net-to crowd any one day. Above all, find time for a lit'le res 1 :: if- go out, if only for half an hcu- each day. 12. Ce: up in the morning early enou-'-i to rrake yourse I iv-at, and to nr. o re the first meal ol the day so t.'rr vour family may have it in u-hurrWl con-fort before going their several ways. ..