Fashion and Things Feminine.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 274, 11 May 1917, Page 3 (Supplement)

Fashion and Things Feminine.

By IDA MELLER -

A SEASONABLE COAT-FROCK

Shirring, smocking and honey-comb-ing are now constantly resorted to in order to arrive at decorat've results, other forms of stitchcry in favour being a course chain embroidery, wining, hem and blanket stitching, while a very new arrival is a coarse darning that presents much the same appearance as line braiding. Tho darning usually is carried out in a contrasting colour, such as cerise on black, yellow on brown, red on navy, and so on . Then again, very decorative effects r.rc often obtained witli collars and ]>ockets. Often, the actual construction of a frock will oe of the simplest character —just a plain gathered skirt and blouse-bodice —the whole succcns of the thing resting upon something original in the wav of a collar.

Tho pelisse dress is again a feature of autumn modes, and is so practical and smart that it is likely to remain a favourite.

Capo fashions arc also in the ascendant, and thesa are now and again allied to coat-drosses with great success. Capes, indeed, are seen in various styles and sizes. One of the novelties of the season is the coachman's cape, n\!:dtf of fur, furcloth, or marabout. It is taking the place of the erstwhile fashionable stole or the boa, and is a very cosy wrap, snug and smart. Correct footwear is, of course, very important in giving "tone" to a costume, and a particularly smart l>oot is of dark blue cloth with patent golosh. It may be somewhat expensive, as l>oots go, but with careful treatment should last well and not prove an extravagance in the end.

A charming design for a coat-dress is illustrated. The original' dress was carried out in navy-blue serge, trimmed with black .silk braid, and was very smart-looking though simple.

A paper pattern, which shows the dross as depicted in tlie diagram, wnich shows the several pieces laid upon 5J yards of 40-inch material. The pattern includes one front of coat-dress, half the back, one sleeve, in two parts, half the ■collar, and' half tho belt. The straight edges of back and collar should bo laid to a fold of material (the latter is folded 'n half lengthwise where thes.o patterns are concerned), and the half-belt, as depicted on the diagram, is also laid to a fold. In this diagram the material is supposedly opened out to its full width and folded. Th> collar forms a ca]>e at the back and re vers in front.

The coat-dress is. provided- with slit pockets, trimmed, on tho flaps, with braid in harmony with the rest of the trimming. With the coat-dress Ls illustrated a smart sailor bat, intended for black or dark blue velvet.

Among t Ijl> new blouses to be worn with skirts, not jumper, is a most alluring model called the "'tunic." Of course, it i* Russian in type, and, its important feature is an extension Inflow the waist-line, which gives the long Russian tunic effect. This extension is either gathered or circular and falls from a trim l>elt to midway between lip and knee. Worn over ;i separate skirt of harmonising material, the new Russian blouse gives the effect of .1 complete costume.

Tho idea is a practical one, for any woman can furnish a pimple, well-cut skirt and all she has to do is to purchase or make one of tne new Russian "tunic" blouses to haw a really charming and practically new dress. For house-wear eol'enne and poplin are useful ami f.'vdi'onablo materials.

DRESSIXC-GOWN" FOR A LITTLE CTRL.

The health of children requires that they should receive plenty of fresh a'r; but the frtvdi air must not be accompaniod by draught, and unfortunately draughts in svliool-rooms are not rare and. m consequence, many a child lias caught an acute chill even while under the care of teachers. To guard against cold-catching in .-. hool-roonis, children should be provided with protective clothing, of a light but warm nature, and it is a good plant for little girls to keep by them at school a warm, woollen golf coat, that can be worn in class if the room is too cold. If children are properly clothed, the windows ef the M-hoolroom can bo kept partly open even in winter without the young folks suffering thereby. At night, also, the nursery bedroom window -an lie kept open lor an inch or tun at the top if tl.e children Ji.re clothed ill sellable manner. The lust sleeping garment* for little children : iv flannel < r wimey combinations, that cover thun from neck to foot, jsiid sin old cert.'inly be im lud.il in the winter wardrobe. A little girl'ii eohl-woather warclrow

Copyright.

should also contain a cosy dressinggown of plain or fancy flannel. A suggestion for. the ssime is illustrated. Tho gown is made with a yoke cut with sleeves, and the skirt is gathered to the yoke, front and back, the gown fasten'ng in front with buttons and button--holes. At the necki is a

turned-down collar tied with cord, and tho sleeves are turned back with sliaped cuffs. These and the collar might be of silk or plain cloth, a band of the *imo bordering the yoke. The sleeves could, of course, be cut long to the wrists, if preferred.

A NOVEL FLOWER DECORATION

A new and very pretty fashion in floral decoration for the homo has been introduced. It consists of a l>owl, half or three parts filled with water, on which float one or two cameras or similar flowers that are in season. Artificial flowers ca.i be bought for the purpose, where real flowers prove too costly a luxury, and the decoration 's really quite lovely. A black l)owl with red camellias is very effective; a pale blue bowl containing pink flowers is also delightful; and .1 cerise liowl with white flowers floating within it is another joy to the eye. The glossy, waxy-looking loaves of tho camellia should be retained with the flower, as these, in themselves, are verv ornamental.

Small, artificial water-lilies are, of course, extremely suitable for a decoration ofthe kind alluded to, and look very sweet floating in a howl of canaryyellow Glass bowls are also used for these novel table, decorations, which are particularly acceptable when real flowers are scarce.

Another idea is to perch upon the edge of a plain or cut-glass bowl, one or two doves, or other bird* (or perhaps two) appearing to be about to,sip some of the water with which the twwl is partly filled. The method of arranging flowers in the bowls is to ma.ss them at one side, using a perforated 6tand for the purpose, and hiding this by moans of moss and ferirs, and to leave a portion of the clear water visible, refloating upon its surface the imago of the birds. It is well worth while taking a ilttle trouble to make the home beautiful by means of inexpensix© floral touches.

FALSE PIUDF.

It is right that just pride should bo appreciated—that one should take pride in doing the smallest thing well, in making the best of oneself, and so on, that one should l>o too proud to borrow indiscriminately and ask favours constantly ; but, as a woman said the other day, " What a mistake it is to encourage false pride! How often we mako ourselves unhappy by falling into this absurd error! Pride is the rock upon which domestic happiness frequently splits, and many friends have dr'fted apart, and led disappintcd lives because of a mistaken conception of pride. Tho little word that, if spoken, would set crooked matters right, is never breathed because of pride; the olive branch is charily tendered for the same reason. More's the pity."

A BEAUTY HINT

Tim advice i< often given to push hack tin- cuticle w'tli the towel when drying the hands, ami this advice is well worth following, and, if actod on, helps to bring about a pretty appearance of tlie finger nails. Rut even better advi e in to soak tin? finders in warm, soapy water and then loosen the cuticle by gently working it hack with an orange-wood st'ek.

By persistent care for a few week* the cuticle can be trained to stay back and will require very little cutting.

SWEET SANDWICH FILLINGS

Finely chopped ••andied peel and raisins, mixed up with a little butter, make a novel, and very nice, filling for a sweet sandwich.

Honey, m'xed with chopped nubs, is aonther sweet filling for .sandwiches suitable afternoon tea, and a third is made with grated chocolate and crumbled cracker biscuit.

APPLE CHARLOTTE

Wh never apple '-harlottc is on the menu, U prove, so popular a dish that it Is rather aston'shing housewives do not introdme it more often. Those who have no recipe for this delicious sweet by th in. mav bo glad to jot down tho following in their note-books :- Take slices of stale bread al>oiit a quarter of nil inch thick, and from them cut small rounds with a cake nr lPs-euit-eutter. fry tne roiindu in hot butter to a light brown colour: then line a plain buttered mould with them. Peel and 'ore a pound and a half of applet*, stew them with half a cupful of

sugar, half a teaspoonful of cinnamon, and two cloves; remove them from tho fire, when soft, and add the l>eaten yolks of two eggs. Pour the mixture into the prepared mould ami cover with a round of bread ju.st the size of tho top of the mould, and bake in a modetrate oven for forty minutes.

SAVOURY OMEIJDT

Savoury omelet is another mucii-ap-preciatod dish when well made. Boil half a cupful of milk, put into a mixing-howl ono cupful of breadcrumbs and ono tablespoonful of butter, and when the milk is hot, pour it over them. Mix all well together, add pepper and salt, one talbespoonful of chopped parsley and the yolks of three eggs, well beaten. Whisk tin whites of the eggs to a stiff froth, stir tlfrm lightly into the. mixture, and pour all 'nto an omelet pan, which has a tablesjx>onfiil of melted butter in it. Bake until the omelet has set and is browned. The success of an oniolot. whether sweet or savoury, depends largely upon lightness of touch and its being served directly it come* form the pan.

A THOUGHT FOR Til.: WKEK

"It is neither kind nor wise to load your friend down with additional burdens, s'niply localise he is generous enough to take them. Take not advantage of a kind heart and an unsolfi.sli nature."

Wise word., from a well-known preacher.