Fashion and Things Feminine.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 24, 26 March 1915, Page 3 (Supplement)

Fashion and Things Feminine.

By IDA MtLLER

A HOME-MADE TUNIC BLOUSE. The tunic, in one or another of its aspects, long or short, draped or plain, is one of the most popular vogues, and certainly one of the most becoming, that adapts itself equally well to day and evening modes, to house-dresses and outdoor wear. The newest tunic is the long pleated one that reveals only a few inches of the underskirt, and it is predicted that this is the tunic that heralds the return of the pleated skirt. In fact, the tunic only needs to be dropped a finger depth or so to be transformed into a skirt proper. At the top it may be pleated from the waist or mounted to a plain-fitting hip-yoke, covered, probably, with one of the new, deep sashes, pulled well down. The tunic coatee, or tunic blouse, is another fancv of the moment that has (he charm of simplicity and economy or it cuts into verv little materia and i 3 quite dressy-look.ng. Frilled all

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round, or simply hemmed, it is pretty i:i any of the new flowered and plain voiles," and in figured material forms a delightful top to a skirt of plain-fac-ed fabric.

The tunic-blouse illustrated may interest the young home dressmaker, on the look-out for something easy to make and fashionable. It would work out well in dark-blue broche voile or spongecloth, figured ercpon or Shantung—in any soft material, in fact, and it may l>e' suggested that once possessed of a paper pattern of the tunic, a girl might advisedly cut out for herself two or three garments in different materials from the same pattern, and they couid all be worn, in change, over one skirt. This would be a good start for the autumn wardrobe.

As will be seen from the diagram, the pattern of the tunic blouse is very simple. The whole garment is cut out in one piece, and the paper pattern consists of half the tunic. This should be laid on about two yards of 44-inch material, the amount to be dependent on the length of the tunio. The material should be folded in half, length-wise, and the straight edge cf back laid to the fold. The neck is slightly hollowed out, and when the tunic is made up a frilling is added to the neck, and similar frills finish the sleeves. The front closes with studfasteners, and is trimmed with round buttons, and at the waist is a sash of satin ribbon.

USEFUL FKOCK FOR A LITTLE GIRL. The ideal frock for little girls under :.even years of age, is built in the overall style, and for everyday wear linen and serge naturally suggest themselves as the best materials for the frock. A leather or material belt, worn low, and a collar-and-euffs set of embroidered muslin or washing laco, and sometimes a few buttons, are the only things desirable in the way of extras. A practical and serviceable little

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frock for a child of live or six years is illustrated, ami this differs slightly from the ordinary overall or tunic

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frock, while possessing all its advantages, through the medium of fastening. Instead of introducing a placket back or front, the frock illustrated opens and closes on the shoulders and to mid-length of each sleeve. Made of navy-serge, this is an ideal frock for hardy wear. It is also pretty in Shantung and sponge. It is always advisable to provide a dee]) hem to allow for growing, where children's frocks are concerned, and if the loose-fitting tunic frock illustrated is made with this provision, and the material is good, it will last a child a few years.

The pattern is in one piece only, and represents half the frock. It should be laid on two yards of 30-inch material opened out to its full width and doubled, the pattern (see diagram) thus being cut out in duplicate. The frock is easily put together. The neck, when turned in, and the open shoulder-parts must be faced with lining, and stud fasteners sewn to the plackets, which should extend to midway lx-'tween shoulder and elbow, the outside of shoulders having, for ornament, a line of buttons and simulated buttonholes. From wrist to end of placket the sleeves are seamed.