Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 112, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1919 — CARING FOR WOOLEN GARMENTS IS AN ART [ARTICLE]

CARING FOR WOOLEN GARMENTS IS AN ART

Skillful Mending Is Means of Prolonging Usefulness. -r=~• . -v - Pressing Will Reduce Conspicuousness and Helps Keep Clothing in Good Condition—Use Moderately Hot Iron. (prepared by the United States Depart- • ment of Agriculture.) Systematic brushing of your clothes every day W|ll lessen expenditures for* cleaning. Brushing done with a circular motion removes loose dirt, restores the nap and -will help remove “shine." Skillful mending of wool garments Is another means of prolonging their period of usefulness, say home economics experts of the department of agriculture. -The success of a mend depends on maintaining the soft appearance of the surface, duplicating the weave, and using colors to match those in the garment. Darning ' is pratieally, the only method that will •' fulfill all these requirements. If the material is cotton in one directlon and wool in another, make the darn correspond to the fibers in, the original. Identify the weave

and duplicate it as nearly as possible. Use colors which match, or neutral tones with specks of color as near the shade as possible. Use net, tape, or mending tissue whenever possible for re-enforcement. Press the mended place and It will be less conspicuous. Careful pressing not only adds to the appearance, but helps keep clothing in good condition. Pressing of clothes can be satisfactorily done at home if the characteristics of the fiber are known. The first thing to consider is the felting of the wool fiber and the importance of avoiding any method of pressing which will cause the garment to shrink and lose ■ its soft and fluffy nature. Use a moderately hot iron and a pressing cloth wrung as dry as possible. Place the cloth on the right side of the garment and press until the pressing cloth is dry. Remove the cloth, and the surface of the material will look soft and fluffy. The wool material, will not be entirely dry. Turn the and press on The wrong side till dry. If pressed on the right side, the nap or fuszy surface is pressed down so tightly that the garment is shiny.