Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 259, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 October 1913 — SILK DRESS FOR TEN DOLLARS IS EASILY POSSIBLE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SILK DRESS FOR TEN DOLLARS IS EASILY POSSIBLE

TO make a dress as good looking as that pictured In the illustration is an achievement to be proud of. It could not be accomplished except that so little silk is required for the present fashions in skirts. It cannot be done if dne must pay for the sewing. But things were never easier for the home dressmaker than at present. If she can sew well and has good ideas of correct and graceful lines, she can buy a pattern and undertake her own dressmaking with every assurance of success. This does not- apply to tailored gowns, requiring expert and what may be called professional sewing. But for gowns to be worn at home and for fancy, visiting and party gowns, there is no good reason why the home dressmaker should not be able to copy a good model in gowns of this character. Clothes do not fit the figure in the present modes. They are draped upon it. These free, graceful lines, more than anything else, must be depended upon, with proper use of fabrics and color, to make the remarkably beautiful costumes which have been designed for the coming season. In fabrics a yard wide, twice the length of the figure will make the dress pictured here. In narrower goods one must allow from three to five times the length of, the figure. Thin and supple fabrics must be chosen, andxfne may find satin, messaline, poplins, and other weaves selling at a dollar or a dollar and a quarter the yard. - The width of the skirt in the model shown is less than two yards, therefore, twice the length of the skirt, with an allowance for the hem, and draping at the knee, is the requirement of this skirt. As the skirt is narrow, it is split at the left side. A plaiting of silk, in a contrasting color, is let in st the split, and requires a half yard of soft satin. This plaiting is to be oir itted if the dress is worn over a Ailk petticoat. The skirt is plain and smooth fitting. except fox three plaits laid In the front breadth at the left side seam. It is sewed to a low-necked muslin waist. A plain, thin, corset cover will make a suitable waist to which to attach it. The waist is made separately, and put ou with an attached sash of the silk, which is wrapped about the body and brought up to the left side of the bust He?e it is- fastened in a knot, with a hanging end finished with a little silk pendant Tie waist consists of a plain net or >ace blouse. Across the front of thie a half yard of satin ribbon six Incles wide is sewed under the bust. This ribbon is coveted with a galloon of lace extending around the figure just oyer the bust. Finally a lace veil is divided in half

and the’two lengths draped over the blouse, fastened in at the front and with the corners hanging loose at the back. These corners are finished with small pendants like that on the end of the sash at the front. The sash is made from silk, which is left when the skirt is cut. In shaping it to fit the hips, sufficient silk is cut away from the width of the goods to make it. Black silk, made up with emerald green, or cerise or coral or white or In combination with some of the odd new Metallic colors, makes the most satisfactory development of el. After the blouse has been draped, the sash is attached to it. Allowing five dollars to cover the cost of the silk, which does not need to be of a heavy quality, add two dollars for the net or lace for the blouse.

with one dollar for the lace veil used in draping, there remain two dollars to cover the cost of a hAlf yard of ribbon, three small pendants and a half yard of silk for the plaiting. The yard of lace placed over th? ribbon in the blouse may be of cheap lace, since it is covered by the veil. Altogether an allowance of ten dollars will purchase the material, of which this really handsome afternoon or visiting gown is made. The skirt, when made in black, will serve to wear with several waists. A quite plain one in black will give ths gown an entirely different character.

JULIA BOTTOMLEY.