Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 15, Number 26, DeMotte, Jasper County, 11 May 1945 — You Can Do Such Clever Things With Odd Scraps of Gay Print [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

You Can Do Such Clever Things With Odd Scraps of Gay Print

By CHERIE NICHOLAS

CAVE the scraps! It’s about the short remnants and the swatches of gay print we are talking. Hidden away in a scrap-bag, they do not seem to mean anything, but under the magic touch of a girl who can sew and has ideas of her own, wonders can happen. It’s really surprising the clever whimsies that can be concocted out of even tiny bits of pretty print v To have and to hold in readiness one simple black or navy basic dress in any of the attractive cotton weaves or of wool Jersey or crepe that lends itself to many changes of accessories is a worthwhile economy gesture. You will find if you make it a hobby to conjure up all sorts of pretty accessory items to dress your simple basic gown up or down, according to where and when you wear it, that you have helped invaluably to balance your wardrobe budget. Perhaps you have a length of print left over from the dress or blouse you recently made, or perchance in a moment of high enthusiasm you bought a remnant because the print was so pretty you couldn't resist. Why not make a dainty peplum dickey that is as smart worn with a one-piece dress as pictured as it is worn under a suit jacket. The model shown here is of white rose-printed glazed chintz. The red grosgrain ribbon belt worn with it enhances the effect. Be sure to note the clever pocket arrangement which adds practicality to the chic and charm of

this most attractive item to include in your wardrobe of smart accessories. If you’ve been reading latest fashion notes, you already know that one of the newest style development! is the overblouse dress. This twopiece teams a long-torso printed top with a plain skirt. It is said that this type of dress will be featured all through the summer and again in the fall as it fits into a fabric program keyed to wartime economy. These simple long overblouses with their brief sleeves require a minimum of material and the fact that they are so simple and easy to make is nothing less than opportunity knocking at the door oi the girl who has learned to sew. Note the overblouse shown to the right above. Merely a remnant ol print is all that you’ll need to make it. Wear it with a floor-length skirt for evening and with shorter length for day. And now for using up the scraps! An ambitious girl made for herself a dirndl-type skirt of bright print with which she wore a black rayon crepe bodice. There was a mere trifle oi the print left but one piece was large enough to include the bouquet motif. This thrifty little lady had a vision and this is how she made this vision a reality: She carefully cut out the flower motif (it was a quaint bouquet tied with baby blue ribbon) and appliqued it on the bodice to the left of the lowcut neckline. It not only unified the dress, but the effect was charming beyond words, imparting an air of exclusiveness found only in high-style modes. Gay print applique is the rage this season on sports clothes, also on dainty summer afternoon gowns. The sketches scattered about in the background give you a fair idea oi what’s being done with applique cutouts this year. It’s a fascinating pastime to cut out florals and othei motifs and apply them in various ways. If you are taking up the applique idea in a big way you can save time and patience by using the applique attachment that comes with the modern sewing machine. You can get instructions at any local sewing center in just a few moments time. You can also applique by whip ping about tumed-in edges or by buttonholing all around. It is more practical to do it the machine way. Released by Western Newspaper Union.