WOMAN'S DRESS Conducted by the Editress of " Fashions for All " In this important section of Every Woman's Encyclopedia every aspect of dress will be dealt with by practical and experienced writers. The history of dress from earliest times will be told, and practical and useful information will be given in : Home Dressmaking How to Cut Patterns Methods of Self-measure- ment Colour Contrasts Boots and Shoes Choice How to Keep in Good Condition How to Soften Leather, etc. Home Tailoring Representative Fashions Fancy Dress Aliemiion of Clothes, etc. I Furs Choice How to Preserve, etc. I How to Detect Frauds Millinery Lessons in Hat Trimming How to Make a Shape How to Curl Feathers Flowers, Hat-pins, Colours, etc. Gloves Choice Cleaning, etc. Jewellery, etc. PRACTICAL LESSONS IM DRESSMAHIHG By M. PRINCE BROWNE Examiner in Dressmaking, Tailoring, French Pattern Modelling, Plain Needlework, and Millinery, of the Teachers in Training at the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire, Cardiff; the London Higher Technical Examination Centres, etc. ; First Class Diploma for Tailoring; Diploma of Honour for Dressmaking; Diploma of Merit of the Highest Order for Teaching ; Silver Medallist, London Exhibition, 1900; Silver Medal, Franco- British Exhibition, 1908; Author of Up-to-Date Dresscutting and Drafting, also " The Practical Work of Dressmaking and Tailoring:' PART I.— Appliances necessary for Dressmaking
succession of these practical lessons in Dressmaking will appear in the following parts of Every Woman's Encyclokbdia,
The first task before us is to consider the appliances necessary. SEWING MACHINE A " LOCK STITCH " machine is the best, as the work is stronger and more secure, and the stitching is not so clumsy as when done by a " chain stitch " machine. SKIRT BOARD A skirt board is a great help in tacking the material and Hning of a skirt together, and it is almost a necessity for pressing the seams. These boards can be had from 4s. 6d. each. SLEEVE BOARD (Single or Double) A sleeve board for pressing the seams ol sleeves, etc., can also be purchased from IS. 6d. A small size must be selected, or it will not pass through the cuff of a blouse, or the bottom of a sleeve (see diagrams in the tailoring article). If expense has to be considered, a wooden rolling-pin, costing about 4|d., can be used instead of a sleeve board, or even a roller from a round towel will do as a substitute. FLAT IRONS, IRON STAND Two or three flat irons are necessary foi pressing the seams, etc. They should weigh about three or four pounds. They can be obtained from any ironmonger, and cost from 8d. each. For delicate work a " shoe," to slip over the iron after it is heated, to prevent its scorching or soiling the material, is de- sirable. It can be purchased for is. at any good ironmonger's. IRONING BLANKET Before pressing the garment which is being made, an ironing blanket should be placed over the board or table. DRESS STAND A padded dress stand is the best, and one covered with drill is the strongest. They can be had in stock sizes or made to measure from a well fitting bodice. An arm, or arms, for the dress stand is a great addition ; but this need not be purchased, it can be made by the worker at the cost of only a few pence as follows : A sleeve should be cut in stout holland and fitted tightly to the arm (the arm should be held in a shghtly bent position). When fitted, the seams must be machine-stitched. A small oval shaped piece of holland must be
