Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 252, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 October 1911 — The HOME DEPARTMENT [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The HOME DEPARTMENT

FASHIONS FOR GIRLS

COMFORT AND PRACTICALITY ARE RULING FEATURES. Color and Style That Sult the Youthful Wearer Given 'Close Attention —One-Piece Frocks in Two Dainty Designs. Happliy for the peace of mothers, none of the eccentricities of adult garments pervades little wardrobes. In all departments children’s clothes are sensible, all wear for everyday use being made up with an eye to comfort and practicability. At the same time, however, a good deal of attention is given to the color and style that suit the small wearer, so whether the little garment is bought ready made or is made at home much consideration is given to suitability, And, after all it is this quality, the right line and the right color, which makes up that subtle essence called style. A juvenile shop is an excellent place In which to study up effects for home sewing, for these stores engage the best designers and makers and the small garments are simpler and better made than elsewhere, to say nothing of the superiority of their material over the usual thing. School and everyday clothes in these delightful places—for they are as interesting in some departments as doll houses—run largely to soft, dark wools with white or bright touches, Scotch plaids, being as always, much favored. Some of the newest plaids, though, are made in olny two colors, the pattern showing a double line crossing in a square check in different sizes. These pretty stuffs, and others of,the plaid family, are much used for trimming a plain goods—the patterned material showing in a deep sailor collar, or in an edging for this and the cuffs, and in bands used elsewhere. A dress entirely of the plaid may be made up with a bit of silk in one of the dominant tones of the goods. Red and black and green, blue and black and white, and brown and white are some smart color combinations in these ever-stylish and gay materials. Other stuffs for growing children from the kindergarten are up to eight likewise run greatly to a pattern of some sort, as it is found that the such textures stay clean longer than the plain ones. Soft wools with mottled. dotted and striped effects are all seen, and if the frock is very simple it is trimmed only with a plain wool The two small girls in the Illustration wear regulation one-piece frocks In the styles suited to four and six years old. The dress of the bigger girl is of a broken-check plaid wool in red and blue; plain red serge forms the 'collar and cuffs, which are outlined with a little red soutache. This little frock is very compact and' sensible, but at the same time the style can be used for a more dressy one with a cut out neck and short sleeves. All the textures hitherto mentioned are suitable for the model, .which In a good material and with some smartening of trimming, is also adapted to the girl’s best bib. The second frock In this picture is a very plain effect adapted to wool or a stout wash material, and in some of the shops the mode! Is called the

“Nancy.” The design is merely a long-bodied blouse, opening at the front, and attached to a skirt no more than frill length. The cut is very suitable for the child who needs a number of frocks, and plain as the dress is It can be made of anything from gingham to velvet In fact a black velvet dress made In this way, and topped at the shoulders with a broad Irish collar, would be 4 the height of magniflcance, as the richer the material for little folks the plainer the style. Now a word as to mother economies for these small costumes, or any finer ones. Has mamma—the mam-

ma who Is to do all the sewing-* looked over her old materials lately? If so, she must have found something which can be used again, a soft light wool that would dye nicely, a yard of new silk, satin, or a quantity of good silk braid in an impossible color. All of these things can be turned to account for a whole gown, trimmings or touches, for a good wool and braids dye beautifully, and when bought new they are high priced.