HINTS ON BABY’S FIRST CLOTHES

Ladies' Mirror, Volume 3, Issue 5, 1 November 1924, Page 45

HINTS ON BABY’S FIRST CLOTHES

THE FOLLOWING WAS THE SUCCESSFUL ENTRY IN OUR “BABY HINT” COMPETITION, THE RESULT OF WHICH WAS ANNOUNCED IN OUR OCTOBER ISSUE

HE modern baby is very simply clothed, and is more comfortable in short, soft, woollen garments than in long and mueh-laundried ones. Except for extremes of climate and season, most young babies require the same warmth of clothing. A mother who is a good needlewoman can have well-made dainty clothes even with a limited purse. Get the essential ones first, the extras can be better made later and often come as gifts. Get three complete sets if possible and three or four dozen cotton napkins. They wear longer and allow for wet days and accidents. One set comprises nightgown, day gown, jacket, petticoat (all made in magyar style with no restricting bands), and singlet and flannel napkin. A house shawl is needed, and can be made of flannel or viyella; handsome ones for going out can be made of wide fine materials, and trimmed in various ways. Singlets should be of fine wool when knitted —they wash and wear, and suit baby’s tender skin better; should also have at least half-length sleeves and a good armhole. Napkins should not be more than 30in. wide, and cut Sin. or 4in. longer to allow for hem and shrinking. Flannel ones of loose, open flannel and cut square, crochet or buttonhole edge, no turnings. All seams of gowns, etc., should be run double Jin. from edges and felled flat with herringbone stitch... Don’t open the seam, finish hems in same way. All other edges can be crocheted Or stitched, very evenly .cut and no trimmings. Towels should be large, soft and loose in texture. Washers are best made of several layers of butter muslin, and a face towel can be made of the same, one yard sewn double and hemstitched across the ends. For early summer I would suggest viyella or fine flannel for nightgowns, petticoats and jackets, and a. thin radiants, for day wear; and for autumn, heavier flannel for the former and viyella or wincey the latter. Don’t be tempted to make them too small, as babies grow quickly, and for ordinary wear the first set may last six months or more. It is wise to shrink all materials in cold water before cutting. Dry in airy place, fold evenly, place under something heavy, and iron next day with warm iron. Failing this, soak in cold water before washing in warm water. They will wear longer and look better. Have these essential garments ready two months before they are expected to be used. Don’t put very fine tape or ribbon in neck or sleeves, and be sure to secure it from slipping out by a stitch in the middle. Make all plackets deep enough to allow of removing clothes easily, saving mother’s time and much discomfort for the baby.