Fashion and Things Feminine.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 253, 4 December 1914, Page 3 (Supplement)

Fashion and Things Feminine.

By IDA MELLER

THE GOWN OF EASE. In tho dress-fashions of to-day there is u piquancy that is quite distinct lroiu those tiiey have superseded. Although line is, of course, the dominant question, importance is given to colour, and pla'ds are onco more reinstated in favour. Used discreetly, plaid is very effective, but it must not be overdone. A delightful example of the good use of plaid, in moderation, is yielded by some of the tailor-mades of the season, especially in the costumes of dark blue serge or suiting, with small collars and cuffs, vests, belts, and so on of green and blue plaid silk. In one instance the belt, of the coat material, is drawn thriugh plaid buckles back and front.

On house dresses, plaid silk or velvet* riblwn may be seen giving handsome relief. The cost of a touch of plaid may triflinj, but the touch may lift the dress concerned to the top rank of fash • ion.

A pretty ouo-piecc diess with plaid

N». 1754.

about it, ib made of dark blue coheuiw iho bodice opening in front over a vest of cream-coloured lace, the width ot opening cotttinuing the bumo to the waist above which is a small waistcoat of pla'd silk, parted in trout, and continuing in two triangular pieces below the saeh of folded eolienne. I lie neck • is turned back with a square collar of plaid sdk and the half-length Magyar sleeves are finished with triangularshaped cutf-pieces. The skirt is quit© plain, and the little frock fastens at lh 0 back. This is an idea that is worth developing in any fairly substantial summer material. For rest-gowns, all sorts of pretty 4vies and materials offer themselves among the latest designs. These are plain and printed crepons, delaines, voiles and poplinettes that suggest ideal materials for the gown of ease, while at the same time it is very much smarter than the absolutely loose robe of the dressing-gown order. The model illustrated is prrangel with a fichu of lace, the drapery of which is attached to a collar of its own material. \ looselv-thleaded ribbon covers the elastic runner at th 0 waist, and is tied in a bow iu front.

FRENCH FttOCK FOB A LITTLE GIRL.

A new btvlo lor a prl of seven or eight years of age is illustrated in the French frock of mixed materials. But

H». 1785,

although the sketch indicates the use of two fabrics, the design could equally well lie carried out in one material onl.~. The uuiouu; of 3<j-iu-h t>tuff required

Copyright.

fur a complete -dress i& from 'Jj to 3 yards.

There is something very original and Mnart ui the design, the coat, with its (straight lines and Magyar shoulders, having quite a siy|<> ol its own. very French-looking, especially when joined to the short skirt. A belt to give the low-waisted effect could be added, it desired, at the line of union.

If the dress lie made, as suggested in the sketch ot mixed materials, the cutis and collar should correspond with the skirt. For the latter may be suggested dark blue galatea or linen, striped or check«>d with white or dark red, the coat, bodice being of plain red or dark blue linen.

The paper pattern is in six pieces, and these, as indicated by the diagram, include one front of bodice. No. 1; half the back, No. 2; one sleeve, No. 3; half the collar, No. 4; one cuff, No. 5; and half the skirt, No. (i. The skirt pattern should be laid on 36-inch material opened out to its lull width, and a space in marked out on the diagram for the lacking half of skirt (No. 7). The bedice pattern is laid on the material folded lengthwise, and the straight edges of bock of bodice and collar are laid to the- fold.

Tho bodice being very long-waislod no placket is required iii tho skirt. Seam up the two parts of the latter, hem the bottom, and gather the top. Tack together the bodice pieces and try on, turning in the fronts and marking tho positions for buttons and buttonholes. Remove the bodice, btiU'h up tho scams, gather tho sleeves to the cuffs (the latter should ho of double mat' rial), finish off the fronte, adding buttons and button holes, arrange tho collar at tho neck, nnd finally mount tiio top of the skirt to the end of the bodice. This is done by stitching the two parts together on the wrong side, carefully regulating tho fullness of the skirt, then turning the garment to tli* right side and adding another line of (stitching, which gives a nice, finished effect and flattens the union of skirt and bodice. The buttons used might he coloured bono ones or moulds covered with the fckirt material.

A pretty shady hat of basket straw trimmed with ribbon, completes tho out