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POINTS

f ITTING,

IrESS iUTTlNG AND

EMBRACING THE LATEST IDEAS CARRIED OUT THE LEADING EMPORIUMS OF FASHION OF

AND NEW YORK.

PARIS, LONDON,

TO WHICH

IS

APPENDED AN

AND SIMPLIFIED SYSTEM

ORIGINAL, COMPLETE,

OF DRESS CUTTING, EMBODYING ALL THE POINTS.

BY

G. M.

GREENWOOD.

/.,/'

o>»<c

BOSTON, MASS.: G.

M.

IN

GREENWOOD & r

890.

CO.


Copyright, 1890,

By G. M.

Typography by

greenwood.

J. S.

Gushing

Pkesswork by Berwick

&

&

Co., Boston.

Smith, Boston.


l)N(5I^0DiJQ50I^r.

rHE

present work was suggested during a

number

given to teaching Points on Cutting and solicitation of leading

and

in

work.

new

order to reach a

As

At the

my patrons,

dressmakers who constituted

more universal patronage,

the book advanced, the plan unfolded

I

undertook the

itself,

features, offering attractions of additional value.

has been given to a clear and

of seasons

Fitting.

presenting

Special study

concise presentation of the

French

bias,

notwithstanding the beauties of which are so thoroughly appreciated, the method has been so imperfectly understood. The more the subject was considered, the more was

it

recognized

system of cutthat a treatise on dress, combining with the points a one that ting free from all complications, scalings, and chartings until self-instructing and take the beginner step by step

would be

the perfect draft was completed

;

nor end there, but continue to the

point where the professional cutter would find value in

— would

its

teachings

long be to accomplish a work for which a demand has

existed.

ful

successAgain, the question of space arose, for such a work to be labor unremitting must be concise. This called for hours of

appeared to have the spent in selecting and condensing that which How far I have been successful the public will value. greatest judge.

On

the subjects of Color

its

Bearing on Dress, Complexion,

my labors have Line and Proportion, Ornamentation and Material of a very large been almost entirely those of a compiler. The works number Planche,

of writers

W. W.

^^""" "P°"-

have been consulted.

Story,

Chevreuil, and

Of

these, Charles Blanc-

Haneis have been largely G.

M.

GREENWOOD.


<sof(xEf(j5o»4c PAGE

Art

in

Dress

I

Fashion

The Dressmaker

....

Color

on Color

Effects of Light

14 14

20

Material

Trimming

23

Line and Proportion

24

Points in Cutting and Fitting

Boning

Hip

27 28

Effects

Difficult

Forms

The French Design

27

in

to be fitted

30 32

Bias

36

Stripes

To Draft a Basque

41

Rules for Measurement

41

Drafting a Basque

44

Draft of Back

45

.

Draft of Front

48

The Darts

48

Correcting Drafts

To The

Draft one Dart Sleeve

53 .

56 57


/^RT

'f

i^R^^^'

-ooXfcio

STANDING creat

city,

fashionable quarter of a a short time ago in a demolishing a building that I beheld workmen

few years ago, in order to had been erected as a palace a The mc.dent palace of to-day. make room for what was to be a changes what the world of to-day seemed to present an epitome of of forever pursued by the sp.nt we are undergoing how man is hamlet the old is giving way to In every city, town, and unrest commonplaces of the of the past are the :

;

the

new

present

means than

The

luxuries

Wealth and of art.

it

and wealth

art are taking giant strides,

Into every home, into every

did a decade ago.

And

as

life,

the homes

art

enters more

is

a

fully

of a people exhib.t

the refinement the raiment they wear cultivated taste, so too will in the other. found in the one reflects itself the dress has kept pace with That the development of art in The question. can be no art in other fields, there ;

advance of

adorn the windows and counters wonderfully ingenious fabrics that by the of the demand created our great stores are evidences of

homage to votaries of fashion who do inventive modiste and the world are kept weaving, the For these, the looms of the her skill of new fasheach season sees the birth art brains kept designing; For these, earth gives up her of the old. ions, and putting away and man his strength and science surrenders her learning, store, skill

And

the

web

is

woven

finer,

and the color

richer, fairer;

skilled the filmy fabric falls into while from the ponderous loom captivates that gives poetry to drapery hands, whose artistic touch


Art

2

until a season it

Dress.

in

And

ends and newer fashions come.

making

that, as of the

the thought

of dresses, there

Would

no end.

is

this brings with

of books, so of the

making

that the comparison might end

— but

candor

forces the confession that the analogy can be carried farther,

though

and

here,

I

could say that the dresses are

not pursue

I shall

it.

Dress voices the wearer it

and prejudices,

whose

we

;

We

speaks of neglect.

taste

read character by

form an opinion wearer by

of the

for should not she

;

the color

otherwise,

make

goes to

the

attractive,

attire

line,

If

disregarded,

of the rank or station,

fault

know whether

ill-suited,

it.

Unfortunate the

it.

The

attire misleads us in this.

maker's

good,

all

is

woman

not alone her dress-

the style

is

becoming or

the drapery, and

that

all

an offence to art and good taste

?

With such a variety of fabric, such a world of color, such a latitude from which

of styles

unending display

to offer for the

us

woman

day have no excuse

garments

of tastelessly gotten-up

suppose that by some preconcerted movement every

them

as a rule before

became her

revelation

of our

our land having a garment to purchase should, on some

in

given day, start out and

style

women

upon our promenades.

that are daily seen

Let

to select, the

!

:

best.

What

make

their purchases with this one object

each one to study what material,

What

a parterre of

order out of chaos

!

It

loveliness

and

color,

!

What

remains with the

a

indi-

vidual to do her part, without any pre-arranged plan.

FASHION. If the definition of Fashion was asked,

Fashion

is

however

far short

beauty remains.

Art ion

rests is

it

might be answered

the expression of a desire to reach the beautiful

upon

it

may

fall

Fashion

is

ephemeral.

Art

is

eternal.

folly.

A fash-

merely a form of ugliness so absolutely unbearable that

have to alter

it

:

and

of reaching its aim, yet the tribute to

"Fashion," writes Oscar Wilde, "rests upon

law.

;

every six months."

The

we

despairing poet evidently


Art had a warm sympathizer

me

beguiled

my

of

one of

in

Madame, being a

ment

Parisian

loarlors,

by one

Paris, as well as the

in

New

3

York's leading modistes, who

one bright

hours

Madame's elegantly appointed the

Dress.

in

day

— the

was

in

entitled

to

it

;

lady was

and having an

birth,

New

in

June

in

"

York.

establish-

The

fashion

exclaimed the lady, "the fashion!" repeating the words with a ing accent, as

in deprecation.

if

A

the fashion.

me

can lady comes to

my

striking,

;

American, she

it,

will look at

much and then What can I fashion

say

?

'

;

so

I

says,

'

Madame, can

she wants to look

But the Ameri-

.''

'

exhibit a confection

becoming and so

artistic

and be enraptured with

she will turn and ask,

!

guished

I

me and

uncommon

rooms, and to her

thing exquisite, impressive

oh, so

America to

fall-

hear of nothing but

something new, different from anything, from

something grand,

;

comes

Parisian lady

you not design

anybody

" In

" !

.-'

And

fashion.

some-

And

!

the

and admire,

Madame,

*

She does not want

— the

it,

;

is

the

it

to look distin-

then she

will order

a robe like those book-plates on the news-stand, or like something you see in the shop-windows, because she wants

— the

And

fashion.

all

the others, they want the same fashion, until the fashion becomes

And Madame

exaggerated, unbearable."

sank back in her /auUtn/,

resorting to her vinaigrette, a picture of Art in despair.

one thing that impressed establishment

;

it

me most

agreeably about

Madame and

was the ease and quietness with which

Her rooms were models

were done. shop

;

of taste,

There was

all

an entire absence

gauzy pretext of

"The

of shapely

young women, entering under the

cutter's awaiting further orders," and then

posing long enough to display an exquisite model of gown. it

of

no sign of rush, no talk of pressure of engagements, no silent

coming and vanishing

too,

her

things

may be Madame no

longer needed, had she ever done

so,

Then, these

accessories. If it is

true that fashion

is

a form of ugliness,

let

us be thankful

that the forms present themselves in such variety that

we have

still

the privilege of displaying our taste in selecting the least unbearable.


Art

4

my

For

do not hold

part, I

deplorable a condition.

Dress.

in

»

true that our fashions are in so

it

Indeed,

am

I

again and again confronted

with the most charming designs, and called upon to pay the

homage

to

of those whose conscientious labors make the world of fash-

skill

Nor

ion indebted to them.

are these the exceptions that prove the

In turning to the magazines of fashion, those of the highest

rule.

rank, the designs are invariably of a high order,

and the standard

of

excellence always sustained.

No the to

sooner does one style give place to anoth.er, as the bustle to

than

flat skirt,

all

the talents of these great designers are turned

producing the most graceful lines possible under the new order of

things. all to

If

some

admire,

made

of these are

so attractive that they

must be expected that some

it

compel

will purchase, regardless

of the eternal fitness of things.

After

all,

are not these unfortunate selections but tributes paid by

the wearer to the designer

Of course '

Must

?

one's cheeks vie with the color

one be forbidden to partake of the luscious

of the peach, or

is

it

most desirable that we possess good

fruit

.''

taste,

the faculty,' as Haweis writes, of distinguishing between the agree-

able and disagreeable.

Its function is to

arrange and display what

gives agreeable impressions, and to suppress what gives disagreeable

Natural taste will detect at once any flagrant breach of nat-

ones.

ural law

;

and

this

sense beautiful

which has no

;

is

why nothing

any part

j'aison d'etre,

of

in fact,

bad

is

purposeless

any part

and does not form part

form part of an harmonious whole, looking,

that

dress, like

is

is

of

in

any high

architecture,

of the rest,

and

ungraceful and uncomfortable-

in art.

In the usual recourse to fashion-plates the difficulty in selecting will

be greatly lessened by

first

considering the age of the customer,

second, her figure, which will call for such of the prevailing styles as,

if

the

conceal

patron

is

very defective in

fair

jDroportions,

will

best

those defects, and what also will best preserve her better

points or charms.

Presence

is

here to be studied and

life

given to


Art

who

those

in

Dress.

5

much quietness sufficiently down be toned

are burdened with too

vivacity can very well

while an extreme

;

to prevent

run-

it

such a

toned down ning into anything like loudness, and only that cannot be made attraction' reason, as vivacity in its place is an for

too

much

of.

as observed before,

Age,

must

in a

measure determine what they

can be made than to dress but are honorable beneath one's years. Old age and gray hairs youthful hat, or the body grey hairs, a Hned and aged face beneath a

No more

shall wear.

serious

error

;

burdened with fashionable trimmings intended

An

ble in the extreme.

for youth, are execra-

elderly person dressing as

becomes her age

and material, make herself can yet, by a tasteful selection of color contrast of age in the cosappear younger than her attire, while the

tume

of

youth

is

ghastly.

Having decided on the material and the most the artistic draping.

skill of

the modiste will next be

Cherish the observation of the

suitable fashion,

tested in the fitting

woman

of

fashion

and

who

a comfort, a sort of

" There is uttered the words of worldly wisdom, knowledge of being corsatisfaction, that comes to one, in the

calm

give." rectly dressed, that religion can never

To produce what we

often hear spoken of as a glove-fit

is

oft-

yourself of every seam and times a very easy matter, but to avail success. and make art lines of them is to be a dart

should not be accompanied by a neglected the beholder will be to force the conviction

A perfect-fitting bodice sleeve, as its effect

upon

stopped at the cutting of a that the education of the dressmaker some system, the ingenuity basque, and that she must have employed inventor was not equal to making a sleeve. of

whose It

heart, that ease, softness, cannot be taken too thoroughly to

and pliancy

in a dress are essential to art

and beauty.

The

first

sign

A

beauty and must be studiously avoided. drawing, but without seeming to waist should fit, not only without given to any drapery that have draw, and no lines should ever be

of stiffness destroys all


Art

6

in

Dress.

the appearance of dragging or restricting in any

Hmbs.

of the

Draping

is

not the piUng up of mountains of material or revelHng

in labyrinths of lace.

It is

the handling of these to an end

to an outline that carries with

moulding pery

way the movements

the touchstone that tests

is

faintest line,

We

art school

the result of their studies

drawn a head or a

art condition.

puff, the slightest loop, the

The

face.

and pass among the students, looking

we pause

;

and the shading unusually it

an

it

Dra-

— these can make or mar a dress.

go into an

picture

A

all.

the

;

before the work of one

There

is

much

seems excellent, yet somehow but a

something lacking

we cannot

something our

;

rance of art cannot

to

commend

;

for a

picture, just as there

associate with art

;

there

is

finer faculties sense, but our igno-

with a name.

fix

who has

features appear accurate, the color good,

fine.

are thousands of such that

at

The master comes

to our side,

he looks upon his pupil's work, he takes palette and brush, gives an imperceptible touch here, darkens a line there to bear

it

What

never possessed before.

The

simply soul. life

to the eye, an expression to the features,

life

a soul to the portrait

where

the brush seems hardly

upon the canvas, yet with these few touches he has given

beauty to a mouth,

It is

;

artist

and

the secret

had the soul within him, that gave

So too with drapery.

was wanting.

is

lines that are to tell of the art of the modiste.

A

It

is

?

life

the finishing

touch of an

artistic

hand, the lifting of a fold here, the suppression of one there, and the

garment gains an expression

Be not let

well

alone, does not apply here.

never be entirely satisfied satisfied.

By

could never have had but for these.

with having done well enough

satisfied

enough

it

this

I

;

rather, that

;

the old saying,

true artist should

indeed, a true artist will never be entirely

do not mean that when you have succeeded

securing an effect, that you should destroy

your success

to higher attainments

A

in

it,

to try

some

this instance should act as

other, but

an incentive

;

" That which you have clone but earnest of the things that you

in

shall do."


Art

The reward

is

in

certain to follow.

Dress.

7

Aside from the gratification of

feeling yourself a success, you have the knowledge that you are ele-

vating your labor to an

art.

but art dressmakers are few.

may

There are dressmakers by the thousand,

Once known, fame and fortune soon

not come to-day or to-morrow

but the lovers

follow them.

It

of the artistic

and the beautiful are watching and waiting, and

vated taste will eventually find one out.

;

culti-


5|iE

DI^ESS/ri/^}\EI^.

paraphrase the well-known lines of the great poet

To

women

"

Some

dressmakers, some achieve dressmaking,

born

are

:

and some have dressmaking thrust upon them." Should any for a business,

woman

my

my own

the

that

fair

" opening,"

I

advice as to taking up dressmaking

answer would be

young man who sought Confident in

my

ask

in the

words of the cynic

his counsel about getting married.

case that the advice would not be heeded, and

questioner would

hurry away to order cards for an

would, notwithstanding the slight rebuff, extend further

counsel and say

Since you have set your mind on this thing, and

:

are determined to go to the dressmaking in your

my

you

offer

blessing,

wise,

done for cash.

which we who are older are

row a dramatic expression, of

all

feel the

your best effort

mal

;

and woman

May

it

be long before

You offering

to

its

crosses will come, and you will

—

can

being mostly,

with an eclat that

subjected to some very, very severe strains.

you are

it

is

well, there

meet them

still

blessif

you

are

many

types of

is

Despite

your temper

find

Man

the share

lustre dims, or

yoke that the calling has put upon you. ,

I

The opening will be as all others, with familiar. Your first appearance, to bor-

will pass off

young debutantes.

you

that

own way,

which you may cherish for future use, as

ings form a very small part of the business, are

to the

Don't.

a peculiar ani-

femininity, and

all.

many who might well go to you for instruction, many more you their advice many who have poor taste will find

;

;

with no taste at 8

all

:

and these people

will insist that

you put your


The Dressmaker. fine

work

bad selections

into their

receive their check,

—

and you

;

at least, let us

will

be paid when you

hope that you

will.

On the other hand, you will meet some who are actuated by a sinof self in cere desire to see you succeed others again, with more ;

but both capable of rendering you great assistance. who have a refer to those having the entree of the best set, people

their motives I

of all that

knowledge will

:

is

passing in the fashionable world.

that while your occupation confines

remember

you

to

you

If

your room,

and catchthese patrons have more favorable facilities for observing These patrons can assist you, and ing the fashions as they rise. they will do its

in so refined a

it

that you cannot

way

to appreciate

value. It is

She

times.

vated taste

is

is

under obligation

is

an

what

and what

is,

assume the responsibility alone shirk assuming

it.

not,

is

becoming

;

I

am

it

fail

—

born of the

falls into

the hands of a

If

:

the

weak

fully aware that there are customers

let

soul.

to her.

to recognize the

her prerogative

is

;

with such there

them.

great height in any art pursuit is

culti-

the duty of the dressmaker to

always insist on deciding for themselves

aspiration

quarry,

It is

indeed,

but one course to pursue,

No

world to see that

the customer cannot

artist,

value of the service rendered.

will

of the

puts herself in the hands of an artist should allow

that artist to decide

the dressmaker

improvements

all

to the refined

the art of

This much in starting.

not offended.

The patron who

who

make

a duty the dressmaker owes her patrons to

dress a complete study, to be well up in

is

fail

A

is

ever attained unless the

block of granite, rough from the

common

laborer,

and with

his rude

for a implements he hews out an ordinary building stone or flagging sculptor, of a walk the same block of granite, falling into the hands ;

and becomes a thing of beauty and a joy forever. mere trifle under In the hands of the one its value is increased a in the thousands. the spell of the other its worth will be estimated

takes form and

life,

;

What

is

true of the block of granite

is

equally true of a piece of


The Dressmaker.

lo dress goods artistic

As

;

the possibilities lying within

for

becoming a thing

of

elegance are limited only by the soul of the dressmaker. in the life of

study of light and

an

artist,

the experience of years, the careful

shade, of line

and proportion, and the mastering

details, to describe

thousand and one

of a

it

would be almost impossible, yet

all

of

which, or to single out,

which were so needed

in form-

ing a complete whole, so time, study, and experience can alone complete the dressmaker. calls for

Hers

is

an art embracing

all

other

arts.

It

the eye of the sculptor for line and drapery, the painter's

delicate discrimination of tone

and

color, the

harmony

of things as

by the musician, —all these in the highest degree, and beyond

felt

these a patience becoming a saint.

Let us now consider the barriers to maker.

It

individual's

art for the

American

dress-

can be readily understood that a state of things where an

independence

is

lost, his

investigation handicapped with the

or her privileges restricted, and

knowledge that any

results of its

researches shall be submitted to a prejudiced censorship, are about

Art

the most unfavorable conditions under which one could labor.

and inventive

skill

must be untrammelled.

these are what most mortals

and the other

will suffice

;

toil for

;

Reward and

they want both

but take both, and

nothing remains to stimulate either

all

:

recognition,

take away one,

incentive

is lost,

and

artist or artisan.

These are about the conditions which our American dressmakers find,

placing limits on the development

environ the European.

The

first of

of

art

here,

that do not

these barriers might truthfully be

called the foreign craze.; indeed, there are two distinct types,

Anglo-mania and the Franco-mania. alone in the progress of

ment in

of

American

art,

They

— the

are barriers standing not

but in the progress of a fuller develop-

industries.

That both England and France excel

the production of dress fabrics

after the goods are placed on the

we

cheerfully concede

common

;

but why,

market, the American


The Dressmaker.

i ^

modiste, or stand second dressmaker should give place to the French These there is no equitable reason. to the English dressmaker, that is, there was a time artificial barriers are both natural and ;

of those conditions left, when they were natural only haying little natural, and exist more on sentithey are now artificial rather than still new and our nation ment than on fact. While our country was :

older nations and countries for those yet young, our people drew on undeveloped here. No manufactures and luxuries that were still

was only from the looms of we could obtain those rich and France, Germany, and England that our homes and persons. We accepted rare fabrics with which to adorn they continue the supply goods and adopted their fashions, and

longer than a quarter-century ago

it

their

of both.

The

civil

war

called for a higher revenue,

and luxuries bemg the

taxation, these foreign manufactures natural and legitimate objects of almost prohibitory for the taxed to a point making their cost

were

goods stood upon the counters masses; and, when imported, the of of the many, the opportunity our large establishments, the envy discovered that for what But it was not long before the few the few over the counter of the American the imported material cost them could the American dressmaker, they dealer, and from the hands of where manufactured, and have forgo abroad, purchase their goods saving that paid the cost of their eign workmen make them, at a each year And thus the European exodus set in, forei-n tour. out-gomg to secure state-rooms in of

increasing, until to-day, in order

steamers during the panies' agents

These

weeks

summer

season, travellers

must notify the com-

in advance.

brought back their foreign dresses and Then dismay the American dressmaker.

tourists, returning,

foreign ideas to amaze and

To her, a trip to Paris meant a knowlshe was seized with the fever. and the prestige that a foreign trip edge gained of French methods, advertise French fashions and would give; and she returned, to abroad came the literature and fashionforeign importations, and from


The Dressmaker,

1

were

plates that

to guide her

Satisfied with

tumes.

knowledge

of

art

that

and be her model

in

making her

imitating and duplicating, she lost

comes

all

cos-

that

one who designs and originates.

to

Again, these models and fashions set the bounds beyond which her individual taste dare not o'erstep.

I

am

and seeing advertised French systems

fitting

son with American

There

common

good forms

to

fit

to

all

fact of their deficiency in alities,

partly

owing

other,

and do not

fitted,

can add that there

us take leave of defini-

waking up

to the

owing

to other conditions that space here I

say, allowing for the difference in

the American dressmaker, in this one branch,

is

also

much

rivals.

And, having

said this,

and improved upon,

to be acquired

in the cutting of a dress.

found

at

our

own

barrier to the

doors.

scales of ladies' wraps, mantles,

made, so as to

that has

fit

development

of art in dress

manufacturing on immense

in the

It is

and outside garments.

anything more absurd than beholding a

woman

Can there be

ordering her gloves

her hand, and then accepting a wrap or

been made for somebody

else

Yet

?

this is not

who must count

cloaks, wraps,

The

designs.

numbers

;

the cost

of

their

apparel.

gown

uncommon.

These manufactured outer-garments appeal most strongly class

fitting

form as compared with some other nation-

Another and growing

to be

let

are only of late years

need ask no favors from her foreign

is

as the other.

American dress cutting and

;

does not allow of enumeration.

even

humbug

a

in compari-

to the neglect of a proper study of the subject,

and, in a larger measure,

the forms to be

is,

The French cutter has a far larger percentage of in a given number of women than has the Ameri-

Our American women

can.

it

the one

;

though some can be found who forget the

sense, even

tion of patriotism.

much

almost as

fitting,

no question about

is

stands far in advance of

I

continually hearing of French

Many

to

of

that

these

and mantles are made after very attractive models and evil is in

the fact that they are

made

in

such vast

next, that they stand in the large warerooms, not until a

woman formed and

of the bearing

for

whom

such a particular gar-


The Dressmaker. ment was

originally intended appears, but to be disposed of to the

buyer without regard to any

first

it

and each new

risks,

styles, robs

cannot be otherwise style

is

a

new

He

risk.

them

who

So a

at a loss.

As

ficed.

limit is placed

far as the dealer

However,

are to blame.

on the

if

it

sacri-

is

the public

in this

of

is

art

it is

;

who buys

the lady

and to duplicate others,

willing to be duplicated

and

right

is

sell,

or dispose of

sell,

variety,

concerned he

is

charm.

all

assume too many

manufactures to

not to keep, and he must keep what he does not

fre-

one unending

street, the

even the best of

for the dealer will not

;

The

suitability or fitness.

quency with which they are seen on the parade of a few stereotyped

But

13

way

is

no moment.

Dress of any form, whether for out-door or the home, should be

made

specially

for the person

fine effect, that natural

individuality

factured on

and character, be found

some

way

The

worth hazarding.

as

it.

Rarely can that

line of a person's form, that

in a

garment or mantle manu-

Occasionally a person can be suited as

lay figure.

well in buying this

by a dressmaker, but the

correct style and

exception that proves the rule. of these

who must wear

moulding to the

fit,

if

is

hardly

found, will only be the

may appear

It

risk

to

some that the

manufactured garments, through the lower prices asked

fact

for

women of who cannot then suffer

them, appealing more to the masses, does not prevent the

wealth patronizing the fashionable modiste,

from the condition of things here tors, I

would

come.

It is

of

say, that

amusement.

must go with them

It

home

existence.

are cheap

them

such objec-

it

art

must

on the street or places

to their

homes, and become

art,

resent every exhibition

Let them understand that things bought because they

— are

cheap.

That a value must be on everything.

learn that the purchase

a form of

to

Let them be so nurtured that they

be sensitive to every infringement of

of false taste.

Replying

stated.

from the masses that taste and

not sufficient that they behold

a part of their will

it is

economy

made

at a sacrifice of taste

that impoverishes.

and

Let art is


($OCOI^. a>Oic

EFFECTS OF LIGHT ON COLOR.

OTHER body

things being equal, the more highly the surface of a

is

light.

more

polished, the

The white

it

will reflect

light reflected

white and colored

by a colored body may be the body in some of

sufficient intensity to render the color of

of its

parts imperceptible.

When

the eye sees certain parts of the surface of a polished or

uniformly colored object which reflects to

it

proportionally to the col-

ored light less of white light than the other parts, the

appear

in

The

most cases of a more intense tone

of color

spiral thread of a piece of twisted silk or

first

parts will

than the second.

wool held perpen-

dicularly before the eye, appears in the part opposite to the light of a

much more decided color than on the rest of the surface. The folds of bright draperies present the same modification eye properly placed silk stuffs,

and

;

the effect

in sky-blue

;

for

is

to

an

particularly remarkable in yellow

we can

easily understand that

it

is

less marked when the stuffs are less bright and of dark colors.

There are some same

scale of color,

stuffs

which appear to be

and sometimes

also of

of

two tones

two tones

of

of the

two contigu-

ous scales, although the weft and the warp of these stuffs are of the

same tone and the same simple

;

color.

The cause

of this

appearance

is

very

the threads which, parallel to each other, form the designs,

are in a different direction to the threads which constitute the ground of the stuff.

Hence, whatever may be the position 14

of the spectator with regard


Color.

1

—•m — •

to the stuff, the threads of the design will always reflect colored

and

white light in a different proportion to that reflected by the threads of

the

ground, and, according to the position of a spectator, the

design will appear to be lighter or darker than the ground. Modifications produced by Colored Lights.

Red

rays falling

on

Black

make

it

White

u

u

u

Red

u

u

u

Redder.

Orange

^

«

a

Redder.

Yellow

u

a

u

Orange.

Deep Green

"

«

"

Red-black.

Light Green

"

"

"

Reddish gray.

Light Blue

"

"

"

Violet.

Violet

u

u

u

Purple.

appear

Purple-black. j^e(j

Modifications produced by Orange Light.

Orange rays

on

falling

(

make

Black

it

appear

Maroon, or Car-

{ (

,.

White

u

u

a

Orange

a

a

u

More

Red

u

u

u

Scarlet.

Yellow Light Green

,

melite-brown.

Orange. vivid.

((((((

Yellow-orange.

"

"

"

Yellow-green.

Rusty green.

Deep Green

"

"

"

Light Blue

"

«

"

Orange-gray. (

Gray,

slightly.

Deep ^ Blue

"

"

"

Indigo Blue

'<

"

"

Orange-maroon.

"

"

"

Red-maroon.

(

Violet

Orange-gray.

Modifications produced by Yellow Light,

Yellow rays

falling

Black

on

make

it

appear

Yellow-olive.


Color.

i6 White

make

Yellow

"

"

Red

"

"

"

Orange.

Orange

"

"

"

Yellower.

Green

"

"

"

Greenish yellow.

Light Blue

"

"

"

Yellow-green.

Deep Blue

"

"

"

Green-slate.

Indigo

"

"

"

Orange-yellow.

"

"

"

Yellow- maroon.

Violet

Light Yellow.

appear

it

'•'

Orange-yellow.

Modifications produced by Green Light.

Green rays

falling

on

Black

make

it

appear

White

u

u

u

Green

^

<.

«

Red

«

u

a

Orange ^

"

^^

«

Greenish brown.

Green.

.....

(

I

J (

a

Green

a

a

{

Violet

a

a

a

II

u

ti

and

brilliant.

Yellow,

Faint v

a

r^

i

htde Green. Greener, according

j f

Indigo

intense

Brown. (

»

More

,

.

to j)^\\

Its

,

depth.

Green.

Bluish green. Brown.

Modifications produced by Blue Light. Blue rays

falling

on

make

Black

Yellow

Green Indigo Violet

it

appear

Blue-black.

u

u

u

Green.

tt

u

u

Blue-green.

u

u

(I

u

u

u

Park

blue, Indigo.

i3ark blue, Violet.

Modifications produced by Black Light. Black rays

falling

White Blue

on

make

it

appear

Blue.

u

a

a

More

vivid.


Color.

1

»

Red

make »

Orange

appear

it

»

Violet.

Brown, having a pale

»

_ ^

j

^

of Violet.

tint

I

Modifications produced by Violet Light. Violet rays falling on ^,

,

,

make

Black

(

.

appear

it

Very

'

White

«

a

<<

Violet

u

u

u

^ Red

u

u

u

,

»

Orange

«

Yellow

u

black. Violet.

Deeper (

Red-violet,

Purple.

Ljg^^ ^^^^ (

«

Brown, with a very ^ slight tint

(

It

Violet.

(

..

u

faint Violet-

\

of Red.

Green

u

u

u

Ljg^^ Purple.

Blue

a

«

a

Yine Blue, Violet.

Indigo

a

a

a

Bcep

is

nomena

understood that exactly,

we must

in

order to represent the preceding phe-

take into account the facility with which

colored light penetrates every kind of glass, the color of the stuff,

and that

Blue, Violet.

more

or less intense

and the kind of scale to which the colored stuff

of the transmitted colored light respectively belong.

Juxtaposition of Draping with Complexion,

Rose-red cannot be put plexions without causing red,

them

with even the rosiest com-

in contact

to lose

some

of their freshness.

Rose-

maroon, and light crimson have the serious disadvantage of

rendering the complexion more or less green.

Delicate Green plexions which

are

is,

on the contrary, favorable to

deficient

in

rose,

and which

imparted to them without disadvantage. to complexions that are

a tint of

more red than

But

it

all

fair

com-

may have more is

not favorable

rosy, nor to those that

have

orange mixed with brown, because the red they add to this


Color.

1

—

•

•

In the latter case a dark green will

be of a brick-red hue.

tint will

be less objectionable than a delicate green.

Yellow

imparts violet to a fair skin, and in this view

less

is

it

favorable than the delicate green.

To white

those skins which

more yellow than orange

are

but this combination

;

is

imparts

it

very dull and heavy for a

fair

com-

plexion.

When make

the skin

is

tinted

more with orange than

rosy by neutralizing the yellow.

it

the black-haired type, and

thus that

it is

we can

yellow,

produces this effect on

It

suits bncncttcs.

it

Violet, the complementary of yellow, produces contrary effects thus

it

imparts

ments the yellow there is

may be

one of the

some greenish-yellow

The

yellow and orange skins.

tint of

in a

to fair complexions,

complexion

it

makes

;

it

aug-

little

blue

This, then,

green-violet.

least favorable colors to the skin, at least

when

it

is

not sufficiently deep to whiten the skin by contrast of tone.

Blue

imparts orange, which combines favorably with white, and

the light flesh tints of fair complexions, which have already a more or less determined tint of this color.

blondes, and in this case justifies

Blue

brunettes, since they have already too

Orange

is

much

too brilliant to be elegant

blue, whitens those

is

thus suitable to most

reputation.

its

;

which have an orange

it

It will

not suit

of orange.

makes

tint,

complexions

fair

and gives a green hue

to those of a yellow tint.

Lustreless White, such fresh complexion, of which

it

as cambric muslin, assorts well with a

relieves the rose color

;

but

it is

unsuit-

able to complexions which have a disagreeable tint, because white

always exalts

all

colors

by raising their tone

;

consequently

unsuitable to those skins which, without having this tint,

very nearly approach

Very Light White more gray than white. which allows the

it

is

disagreeable

it.

draperies, such as muslin

We

or lace, appear

must thus regard every white drapery

light to pass

through

its

interstices,

and which

is


Color.

1

«—•—•

only apparent

to the eyes

by the surface opposed

to that

which

of the colors with

which

receives incident light.

Black

draperies,

by lowering the tone

they are in juxtaposition, whiten the skin

somewhat

rosy parts are

but

;

if

distant from the drapery,

the vermilion or

it

will follow that,

although lowered in tone, they appear relatively to the white parts contiguous to the same drapery redder than

of the skin

not con-

if

tiguous to the black.

For the

colors for dress of

women we must

begin by establishing

certain distinctions.

That

of the

two types, with skins more or

less

white and rosy.

The one with light hair and blue eyes. The That

other with black hair and black eyes. of the juxtaposition of

the articles of the

pertaining to the hair or to the complexion

;

whether

toilet,

for a color

may

contrast

favorably with the hair, yet produce a disagreeable effect with the skin.

The

color of light hair being essentially the result of a mixture

of red, yellow,

and brown, we must consider

orange-bro%v7i

the color of the skin, although a lower tone,

gous to

it

;

except in the red parts.

it

as a veiy pale,

subdued is

analo-

Blue eyes are really the only

parts of the fair type which form a contrast of color with the whole for the red parts produce, with the rest of the skin, only a of analogy of hue, or at

and the parts

most a contrast

of

hue and not of color

of the skin contiguous to the hair, the eyebrows,

eyelashes, give rise only to a

harmony

;

harmony and

of analogy, either of scale or

of hue.

The harmonies fair

of analogy, then,

evidently predominate in the

type over the harmonies of contrast.

The type with

black hair shows the harmonies of contrast pre-

dominating over the harmonies of analogy.

The

hair,

eyebrows,

eyelashes, and eyes contrast in tone and color, not only with the

white of the skin, but also with the red parts, which in this type are


20

Material.

— really redder, or less roseate,

m

than

in the

blonde type

;

and we must

not forget that a decided red, associated with black, gives to the latter

the character of an excessiveljf deep color, either blue or green.

The

which are usually considered as assorting best with

colors

light or black hair, are precisely those

thus, sky-blue,

known

which produce great contrasts

to accord well ivith blondes,

is

approaches the nearest to the complementary of orange, which basis of the color of their hair

esteemed to accord favorably orange — contrast

or less

Two

and complexions. hair

ivith black

in the

— yelloiv

;

the color that is

the

colors, long

and

red,

same manner with them.

more

Yellow

and orange-red, contrasting by color and brilliancy with black, and

and blue-green,

their complementaries, violet of the hair, are far

from producing a bad

in

mixing with the

tint

result.

-«-^t^»«^5«£^

/n/^5^i^i/»c.

selecting material, the complexion, the age, and the figure are

INthe it

first

is

wearer.

to be considered

;

then the time and occasion for which

intended, and the position in

In the same

way

and harmony cannot be disturbed. expression, a

sympathy

There

seldom look

is

not a source of delight.

her two tasks, to display and to conceal left to

is, if

well,

force upon us a sense of incongruity

the incongruous

and individuality

I

in goods, as in sealskin

of widely different cost

They

life

:

;

may be

and

and are

and

to

has laid relentless lines upon

it,

:

allowed the Materials

silk.

be avoided.

art teaches us that

The modiste has

before

as an elegant throat can be

prove the truth of the adage, beauty unadorned,

collars will

of the

colors harmonize, so also does material

so,

when time

the value of elegant laces and high

be readily appreciated.

Textures assimilate with the light of day.

Woollen textures


Material.

21

absorb rays, satin reflects them, velvet subdues them, and cloth

deadens them.

from

Again, variety

severe.

materials derive their characteristics

to regard

them

as grave or gay, as lively or

given to the character of the material by

is

being plain or figured, striped or checked, and this characteristic

its is

and we come

light,

way

In this

changed again as these

stripes or figures are large or small,

or obtrusive, while these are again affected

by

modest

their arrangement,

whether representing order by being regularly placed or by being Color next enters, demand-

carelessly placed representing confusion.

ing more care and study in the selection of the material. Stripes,

when used with

rare good taste, are capable of producing

They have

most gratifying sensations.

style of the goods, as well as the

stripes elongate,

and horizontal

the property of changing the

figure of the wearer.

stripes widen.

Plain

material, as

soon as

it is

folded or plaited, practically becomes striped.

shadow

cast

by the overlying

plait gives

So a sash gathered and

line.

color,

wound around

Vertical

Both the

and the crease gives

the waist breaks length,

and gives width. Stripes that alternate in either texture or color can in the

ing either

avoided

make

when

or

mar the

Narrow

dress waist.

a pronounced effect

is

sought.

A

mak-

stripes should be

stripe

from one

to

two inches in width has character, the width always being determined in proportions

These figures stripes tall

conformable to the height and figure of the wearer.

effects can only be

that

shown

to great

advantage on fine forms, or

have had their deficiencies of

demand smooth

When

fitting.

and slender form, they have

little

to

contour supplied, as

carried on the straight on a

recommend them.

For such

figures the stripe should be on the oblique or bias, brought in this

way

:

the stripe slanting from the shoulder toward the centre or

front, the effect is to give the

wearer the appearance of much greater

width and fulness of bust, and

if

cut according to the instructions

given under the division of Points on Fitting, the result will be both aCTeeable and attractive.


Material.

22

—

•

>

Though we while

I

are daily beholding such evidences of false taste, and

fear that the

amateur cutter

will

me

never forgive

ing attention to this abuse of both design and material, pelled to remark,

broken

purpose

all

off short

which they were

am com-

and emphasize the statement, that a waist having

when two

vertical stripes is simply ruined

darts destroy

for directI

;

the

lines,

whether

darts are taken.

The

vertical or oblique, are

long before they have carried out the object for selected,

and the painful spectacle

presented of a

is

waist of stripes as far as the line of bust, becoming a check at the bodice,

and running purposelessly into anything

There

is

one exception to

where two

It is

this, or,

subdue the other

shaded, the squares in a degree are

The

might

say, a modification.

stripes cut at right angles one, either

of tone or width of line,

restored.

I

at the basque.

lost,

through depth

the texture then appears

;

and unity

rule given for these conditions

is,

in

a

measure

that one of

shades must be three times deeper than the other, and the

is

the

first

line

the

arti-

three times wider than the second.

have endeavored to lessen these faulty occurrences

I

cle already referred to

on Points

in

Fitting,

in

and the dressmaker,

whether professional or amateur, can spend no more profitable hour than in the experimenting with material of this design. in

mind that

for stripes

effects can only

Plaids ered.

dren. all

one dart

is

sufficient,

Bear well

while the grandest

be obtained by leaving out darts entirely.

and checks are to be forsworn

if

dignity

is

to be consid-

They have never been considered suitable for any but chilAt long intervals they put in their unhealthy appearance, like

other plagues, and then disappear.

At

the present time of writ-

ing they are somewhat worn, and the cutters have striven to over-

come the square

effect that cutting

on the straight gives, by cutting

the material on the bias and having every part carefully matched

but their labor, while still

skill

in

leaves a waist that

a shght is

more an advertisement

than any recommendation of

;

measure showing an improvement,

taste.

of their

mechanical


Material.

—

23

•

>

TRIMMING.

The aim ot trimming is that demand trimming. The figure

need

little

Again must we

needed.

form or the well-rounded

slight, graceful

trimming to their waist

or no

repeat,

be relegated to the

Trimmings seen on

They have

closet.

— these are

and the

tion for concealins: a

There

fitting.

is

is

all

that

adorned

like,

should

but not here.

their uses,

a perfectly formed figure only

somebody's bad taste or worse

a bow, a sash, a

;

"beauty unadorned

Plastrons, watteau plaits, blouses,

the most."

There are forms

line.

ribbon to relieve color or give color

scarf, a bit of is

improve the

to

seem

to advertise

no excuse or

pallia-

good form beneath a bad fashion.

\ViDTHS OF Material. Iks: Black (French)

Colored and Plain (French)

American

Summer and Japanese

.

Pongee and Foulard

.

.

.

.

.

18, 20,

24 inches.

18, 22,

24

... ... ...

24 18 27 22

Undressed Poplins

:

24 inches

Irish,

Ladies' Cloth,

Reps,

all

20

54

64

"

heavy.

28

"

all

wool,

32

Velours, silk-faced,

Drap

;

French,

wool

27

48

d'6t6

20, 22

Velvet

Number of Yards required to make a Dress from Material of Different Widths. The

first

figures in

numbers of yards being

for persons of

medium

size;

the second column

for larger size.

18 to 20 inches wide

from 20 to 25 yards.

22

"

"

"19

" 22

"

23 " 24

"

"

''18

" 22

''

21 "


24

Line and Proportion. 27 to 30 inches wide

from 15 to 20 yards. "

14 " 20

"


Line and Proportion. Alternation

velvet.

the latter

;

less elevated in its character

than repetition

;

be almost sublime, the former never passes the Kmits

ftiay

beauty

of

is

25

so

we may

say, alternation

has charm, repetition has

grandeur.

Symmetry.

The

original

meaning

word symmetry, according

of the

Greek etymology, meant the

state of a

body

of

which

all

to

its

members

the

common measure amongst themselves that is to say, it signiwhat we mean by proportion indeed, the words symmetry and

have a fied

;

;

proportion are almost interchangeable, because a symmetrical animal is

always well proportioned, and a well-proportioned animal

always

is

symmetrical.

Contrast. Contrast stripe follow

is

the highest degree of alternation.

an orange

stripe,

If

you make a red

you simply produce alternation

;

but

if

the stripes so placed are the complementary colors one of the other, as orange

most

and

blue, yellow

lively contrast.

and

violet,

In the same

red and green, you will have a

way

a series of circles and ovals

would only produce alternating forms, while a

circle

and rectangle, a

cube and sphere, would be decidedly contrasting forms.

To adorn seen, but

a person or a thing to cause

it is

them

to

is

not simply to cause them to be

be admired.

Contrast should only

be used as a means of rendering the whole more powerful,

and

orange must predominate in a decoration,

If

with

be

brilliant,

striking.

it,

its

let

blue be mingled

but sparingly, so that the complementary color of orange

auxiliary

and not

its rival.

A

may

contrast of round and angular

shapes would be displeasing in the highest degree

forms competed with the other in importance,

in

if

one of these

volume, or

in extent.

Vertical and Horizontal Lines.

The

vertical line raises itself, the horizontal line extends itself;

therefore

it is

natural that these two lines should be connected with


Line and Proportion.

26

The

totally different ideas.

gives height, because

While

it

divides the width

because

lines give width,

repetition of vertical lines on a surface

it

;

the repetition of horizontal

divides the height.

for the

dressmaker but to follow the prevailing

fashion, the consideration of

amplitude, as affecting dress, will be

little is left

carried out, subject to the limits that scribe.

It

may

any particular fashion may

mind

be well for her, however, to keep in

that ampli-

tude produces an aesthetic effect in the art of dress as in other

A certain presumption of dignity is because

it

to excess in width, to exaggerate

ping

The

it.

it,

is

to miss the goal

condition of fulness in dress

human

the natural shape of the

arts.

attached to width, which enlarges,

To run

the opposite of scantiness, which diminishes.

is

pre-

that

is,

it

by overstep-

does not alter

body, the outline of which ought

always to give boldly the all-prevailing direction of height.

Confined

within these bounds, amplitude produces an illusion of

not only

because

it

makes us

enlarges the image presented to our sight, but because

it

instinctively attribute increased importance to a person

amply dressed, by augmenting the place that by reason

size,

of the space that

it fills

it

occupies in the mind,

in reality.

Too much value cannot be set upon the possibilities of lines. They produce beauty, they produce symmetry, and the symmetrical is

always beautiful.

Their power to do this

we

the boundaries of truth and fact, and exist,

but as

the}/

is

carried even

see objects, not as they

appear through the tendency

of lines to

thoughts to height or width, accordingly as they for example, two' circles,

with horizontal, lines

;

and cross one with

these repeated, the

beyond

may

vertical,

direct

run.

our

Take,

and the other

have the appear-

first will

ance of greater height, the second that of increased width, while both will

have the appearance of

ovals.

The same

will

be the result where

squares or ovals are employed.

Lines can be broken by

color,

by trimmings and where so broken, ;

the effect will be to lessen the height

express motion.

They

are suited to

all

if

vertical.

figures, and,

Oblique lines

whether obtained


27

Points in Cutting and Fitting.

impression ot freedom, and lend shaping or draping, convey an lengthened at the waist should never be di-nity to the gown. The gives an .mpreslong waist and short skirt ex°pense of the skirt. at, and, secured, happy mean should be aimed

in the

sion of short limbs. will well

A A

repay the study devoted thereto.

poiflT$ 'H Q^TT'HC

f^P

F's^'HC'

o;*:c

BONING. a give and preserve shape to use of bones and steels to study than ever. waist is a more important curve, where the buttons Bec^inning at the front line or are used should be inserted; flat bones are fastened, a round bone back, the bone including the centre seam of in every dart and seam down and shaped with the others.

THE of

which can be carried well

When

the waist

last time, the fi ter being tried on for the of wa>st hne the most pronounced curve

is

should take a stitch to mark

bone, markcomes. Then remove each each point where boning The of curvmg. the stitch gave the point in. it at a point where over a lamp, or over holding it for a moment bo°,e is then shaped by conformmg to the then curving it to a shape the edge of a hot iron used for this the best whalebone can be contour of the waist. Only

at

;

annealed are used, the steel can be the watch-spring steels the following processes and tempered by either of flame Pass the steel through the spirit lamp (alcohol).

'"men

:

,

Use

a

-

Shape it novv out. then cool the temper is until thoroughly heated, and when pass it through the flame, conform to the figure again ;

lo

it is

;

quickly plunge a cherry-red heat,

m

water.


Points in Cutting and Fitting.

28

Put the steel

2.

in a pot of hot lead

then remove and allow

it

to cool.

the desired curve, and put

minutes

back

it

let

;

it

now

remain

five

in the lead, letting

minutes,

Shape

annealed. it

it

remain

to

five

then remove quickly and plunge in water.

;

The

It is

lead keeps 'the steel from warping

moreover, lead being

;

subject to but one height of temperature, gives a uniform heating to

the steel.

Cross-Boning. In order to preserve the shape to the waist, an extra bone can be

seam

carried from the side

bottom

to the

of waist,

of front, crossing the

where

be a fine one and cased.

It

it

A

very good plan,

spring steel in the following

way

if

:

all

seams, fastened at

correctly carried out,

and side seam)

;

will

steel,

bow

of waist

(between second

steel.

Fasten the

steel

firmly at both ends.

being longer than the line of cloth on which

But when the waist

out.

and

top

to use a

that will be one-third of an inch shorter than the

extreme ends of the

The

is

—

Measure a distance from the bottom dart

to the under-

circle.

Bones can be placed between only.

The bone should

must be firmly fastened

arm seam about one inch below arm bottom

second dart down

can be secured.

is

it is

fastened,

put on the wearer and buttoned,

the steel shapes to the line of the figure, and the waist

is

held

down

firmly.

Always remember fit

that the cut gives the

fit

;

the boning holds that

to its shape.

HIP EFFECTS.

The method taught

in

for cutting

the System,

is

on the hips, as shown

in the

cuts and

a great improvement over the old ways,

insuring an accuracy and smoothness that can never be attained by

them. It

may be

well, in starting out, to say that these errors arose

the fault of the old teachers in studying the

from

human form from

the


Points in Cutting and Fitting.

wrong standpoint.

They only saw the

them, when, standing

they

by taking a

when standing

down

this

for a side view,

of

back

in

was a mistake the reader can

strip of cloth or ribbon

and standing behind some it

or,

by sloping the centre seam

That

their drafting and fitting.

and carry

itself to

the very easy error of mistaking the slope of the back

fell into

as a fact that could be treated

easily prove,

presented

it

they beheld an outline sloping at

full in front,

the side and springing at the hip,

figure as

29

about one inch wide,

friend, pin the ribbon at the collar line,

the back, the edge of the ribbon on a straight line

with the centre seam of back.

The

straight edge of the ribbon will

be seen to follow the seam, and the ribbon mould to the form.

Observe that

// is

not the edge of the ribbon that moulds to the figure,

but the flat surface shapes itself ; and this without any dart or curve

being

cut.

Now

a curve or dart

if

system teaching

it is

at fault.

be stretched into shape or not called

for,

is

cut

where no reason

for

For even while a piece

it

exists,

the

may

so curved

yet a dart has been taken where

fitting,

consequently at the sacrifice of the fitting at some

point at which a dart was required.

Bear well

in

mind

that the

dif-

ference between the bust and waist measures gives the exact amount of cloth to

At no

be taken out, when the

other point requiring

The

it,

being considered.

side of a person presents for a certain width the

time,

though

this, in

(A surface can be

flat

in its relation to

same

and slope

fit.

flat

at the

teaching, heretofore appears to have been

This principle has been carried out

overlooked.)

some

consequently at the expense of a perfect

surface as does the back.

same

scientific point is

point can an excess of cloth be taken but at the loss of

in this

system, both

the cutting of the under-arm piece and centre of

back patterns. Again, putting line joining

it

all

the spring on the front

line,

and drafting the

straight, as the spring of hip in front of basque, to

the straight front seam of under-arm piece as

shown

in

the dia-

grams, brings the material well over the hip, the straight line of one


Points in Cutting and Fitting.

30

holding the other well back, and having the added effect of bringing the seam

more

in a straight line,

offensive bunchiness seen in

all

while doing away with the painfully

basques where the lines are cut in

corresponding curves.

The where

only deviation from this rule for cutting the hip seams

be matched to a V, as shown

stripes are to

and which are to be

fully explained in the article

is

matched

in

the illustration,

Where

thereon.

to follow out the line, this

is

new method

stripes will

be

followed.

DIFFICULT FORMS TO BE FITTED.

the

As most systems human form, it

some

principle of proportions of

measure from these proportions, no

differing in a great cal results

are based on

naturally follows that where. a figure

can be obtained from a draft for such a

the gravest faults of such systems

is,

found

is

really practi-

One

figure.

of

in basing the widths of back,

both at waist line and across shoulder, on some proportion to the bust or waist measure, while

all

systems

will

be found

at fault,

where

the person to be fitted comes out of the quality of ratios on which

such scaling

The

is

calculated.

following are the causes of

rences of misfitting 1.

When

:

some

of the

most frequent occur-

—

a person measures an extreme length from the promi-

nent bone at back of neck to the point of bust. waist

is

In this case the

short from the line of bust to shoulder seam, and

nate for the individual

if

it

is

fortu-

her dress has been so cut, that letting out

the shoulder seam will remedy the defect.

by this system provides for

this,

The

7th measure taken

and enables the cutter to correct

the draft before cutting out the material. 2.

Where

the measure of width of back on waist line has not

been taken, but a scaling followed.

While two people may correspond require four

require

five.

inches on If

the

in waist

measures, one

may

width of waist line back, while the other

system of scaling allows

five inches,

the one


3^

Points in Cutting and Fitting.

at the back, would have an inch of loose cloth the front. in by that amount while her waist would not come together back, front and taking in at the This would require letting out at the measure The 6th satisfactory. and the result would be anything but any such mistake. called for by this system obviates who have retained the There is a very large number of women 3 waist at back, that was theirs symmetrical back and slender, sloping the fulness to bust and increased before time had added the rounding imbeen not The handsome shape of the one has size of waist. These forms have of the other. paired in the splendid development and if any, it will be any, fleshiness at the back,

calling for four inches

acquired

little, if

conin no way changing the found above the line of shoulder-blades, scahng forms when subjected to these tour of the waist. These of anxiety systems are an unending source

there

tx>

the dressmaker.

For

System accompanymg again direct attention to the front for a front, which drafts a back for a back, and

we must

this work,

tape measintelligence of the cutter with a preferring to trust to the proporthe fate of scalings and risk the disaster that is

than

ure,

tions

when appUed

The

4th,

measures

to the

5th, 6th,

human

form.

and 9th measures are

in correcting

any draft

all

cutter

service as test

for the class of figures to

are referring.

Whatever system the

of

may be

using, let

which we

him or her remem-

is needed, safely drafted for where cloth ber that cloth can always be rule. for the front, follow this and where more cloth is required and carry the added width all Mark out for it on the line of bust to neck and in a slant from point of bust the way down on front line, order to waist in front, The cloth you have added to the curve dart. first can be taken out in the ;

m

bust, .et sufficient fulness at on waist hne the amount you have added by dart Increase your first enlarged dart, draft a line From your new centre of the in front where This rule will always apply point and curve.

and form a new

an excessive fulness

is

found

at the front

and

at

the point of bust.


Points in Cutting and Fitting.

32

Refitting. In trying on, see that the customer stands erect, and admit of no

on and

Pin from neck down,

criticisms until the waist

is

pulHng the waist well

and watching that the shoulders

circle allow of

freedom

draw well down

on,

on,

at

fitted.

pinning up.

in

arm

at

After the waist or lining

every point and watch the

is

Should

effect.

there be any fulness in front from point of bust to neck, or at shoul-

do not try to correct by pulling away toward point of shoulder.

ders,

Simply unfasten from point up, and bring the two fronts evenly together and pin a fingers inside of

each pin

is

new

As you

slope for front.

neck curve, lightly

lift,

as

it

proceed, with your

were, the front

After pinning up snugly,

fastened.

;

this as

any fulness or

if

wrinkle remains at shoulder seam, mark with a pin for change at that

The change should be made

point.

fault is in front.

Any

entirely from the front

ening the distance between those points.

more

likely to

imply an error

than in the system.

It is

in the

circle

and baste down

the

arm

;

do not join

origin of the so-called circle in

an oblique

at waist line.

BIAS.

French Bias came

in taking a gore

line to the top of the

purpose for which the gore was taken being to get fluous cloth or looseness caused

being

that the lining should

circle.

rid of is

was

and smooth when used

cut.

from

dart, the

the super-

found just

This gore was taken

fitted before the outside

lie flat

second

by the hollowness that

above the bust and near the arm lining, the lining

that a misfit

All seams should be joined at

THE FRENCH The

Remember

taking of measures or drafting

the system that tests the measurements,

not the measurements the system.

arm

the

by opening the shoulder seam and short-

of bust, should be corrected

is

when

wrinkle or looseness across back, above the line

in the

In order

for a pattern

on

the cloth, the second dart was cut from bottom to top through the

centre

;

otherwise the concave shape given to the lining by the gore


33

Points in Cutting and Fitting.

Such was the pattern being cut. would have prevented an accurate th.s method French Bias. But the value of origin oÂŁ, and such is, the cloth, was no getting rid of the superfluous of Cutting, aside from its when the came to be cut in th>s way, realized until striped material the large manipulation of the cloth, and handsome bias, caused by the dart

came prominently

This

into notice.

very elegant effect

was certain

of attracting attention,

and

minds of cutting turned their both dressmakers and teachers amusmg and both was done. The results were ing the way the thing conclusion, wh.ch was^ They arrived, however, at one to find-

lamentable.

much move

up could be obtained by takmg that the appearance was made up taken so The extra amount cloth in the second dart. seam that jomed wUh the waist line) to the or by adding cloth (on seam established by drafting piece, and a new side he under-arm the new width

L

point at at waist line to the

arm

circle

where the

ringm as This was a success so far former line or seam ended. concerned t>"t ^o calthe second dart was the stripes on a bias into cloth naturally ad e Jhaving been made for the extra pomt, and the dressfulness was found at this bust hne. an extra the idea. looseness it added, abandoned maker, dismayed with the make, to for any but an expert The error was a natural one mistaking the effect from the wrong end, from arose from starting ;

It

a^

for the cause.

How

BlAS. TO OBTAIN THE FRENCH

take the paper patefficient method is to simplest and most from bottom to top, then through the second dart tern of a front, cut from a pomt in the wide at arm circle, and take up a dart one inch formed by arm circle inches from the angle

The

afm

ircle

where

it

about two

seam. ends at line of under-arm dart. from arm circle to top of

V <.haDed

Thelange Plate No.

I.

effected from

The

dart will run obliquely,

the original pattern

is

illustrated in


34

Points in Cutting and

Plate No.

I.

— French

Fittino;.

Bias.


Points in Cutting and Fitting.

Plate No. 2.

— Draft

of French Bias.

35


Points in Cutting and Fitting.

36

To DRAFT THE FRENCH Plate No. 2 exhibits the draft of the 1.

French

Measure from the right-hand seam

lyi inches,

and

From

dot.

BlAS. bias.

of second dart, on line

this dot to top of

5,

second dart draft new

curve for dart. 2.

Measure on

line

Place your rule, with

from arm is

to the right of line

5,

its

edge touching

1%

T,

this dot,

inches,

and draft

and line

dot.

TT

This line must intersect line 7 where

circle to the dot.

it

crossed by line T.

The

lines

T and

the dart for arm

shown

in Plate

TT, crossing

circle,

at line 7,

form a V.

answering the dart taken

new width

draft the

3.

Measure the distance from the point where

arm

circle as

of basque at hip.

line 10, to line 9.

Measure double

line 8 (or beyond),

and dot on

to the point

4.

This becomes

i.

To

TT'

in

on

line 5

this distance

line

where

line

10.

From

line

from

T' touches on line

9 towards

this point draft line

TT touches.

Measure on line 10 the distance from the centre line of original

second dart to the point where line T' touches on line

from the point where

number

line

TT' ends on

of inches toivards dart,

and

line 10,

10.

Then

measure the same

Draft a line from where

dot.

new curve of second dart ends on line 5 to this dot, and below if Have the width of skirt of new pattern correspond with

the

required.

the width of old.

These

rules apply to

any correct system.

DESIGN IN STRIPES. Plates 3 and 4 exhibit a pattern in stripes, the front forming a V,

while the stripes of the under-arm piece are also brought to a

where

it

joins the front.

the matching carried out in every part, as

The

V

Stripes are purposeless unless matched and

shown

in the illustration.

hip effect taught in the system cannot be carried out here, as


Points in Cutting and Fitting. the matching of the stripes to a

be equal to each other. line, this is

Where

V

on

i:he

37

hip requires both sides to

the stripes are

made

to follow their

centre of not needed, as shown by the side form back and

back.

The neck to

front of the basque or waist

is

cut

first, its

being brought on a line with the

point,

arm piece

is

matched

to the front, reversing.

front line, from

stripe.

The

under-

To match the

side

form must lay straight form to the under-arm piece the line of the side the goods. The curve of with the line of the under-arm piece on line. back and side form back should be brought on a stripes are The plates will be found of great assistance, as the

piece. represented just as they should come in each

Round Shoulders. Plate No.

shows the correct method

5

of cutting for round-shoul-

dered persons. the indiback should be made one inch shorter than This inch is afterwards supvidual's length of back measurement. and can only be supplied and plied in the part where most needed,

The

draft of

properly fitted in this way.

been made, the

line

AA

is

After the ordinary draft of back has made and cut open, spreading the open-

which can be held down by gumming paper thereto. and give a flat pattern, a dart, In order to offset the concave shape This shortens the shoulder seam. is taken up in the shoulder

ing to a

V shape,

BB,

seam and lengthens the centre seam altered pattern is shown in the same

The

of back.

The appearance

of the

plate.

be made to correspond length of shoulder seam front must In basting, follow the curved line of the the back. o^f

with that

shoulder seam back.


38

Points in Cutting and Fitting.

Plate No. 3.

— Design

in Stripes

(Front).


Points in Cutting and Fitting.

Plate No. 4.

—Design

in Stripes.

(Back.)


40

Points in Cutting and Fitting.

"A A

Plate No. 5.

— Draft

for Rounding Shoulders.


TO

Di^/^pT

f\

Bj\^qu^.

o>^c

RULES FOR MEASUREMENT. No. 6 PLATE should be taken over

illustrates the

method

of taking measures.

avoiding trimmed waists, belts and ornaments. the waist worn to be a guide.

Do

not allow

See that the person being measured

Stand behind the person, placing her before a mirror.

stands erect.

Take

They

as perfect a fitting waist as attainable,

the measures in the following

way

:

1.

Bust Measure.

2.

Waist Measure. Pass the tape around the waist

Pass the tape around the fullest part of bust, straight across back; take fairly snug. (See plate, i to i.) snug. 3.

circle, 4.

2 to

5.

4 to

take extremely

Width of Front. Measure across chest from arm circle to arm about four inches below neck. 3 to 3.

Neck

down

line

;

2.

to

Point.

Measure from the neck

to point of bust.

Width of Back.

in front in a straight

TV to P.

Across back from arm

circle to

arm

circle.

4.

Width of Back at Waist Line. Measure the desired width at having the width symmetrical with the width of shoulder. From back of neck measure well down full LengtJi of Back. 7. length. Be careful to observe how far the tape goes below 5 to 5. the horizontal line of waist that is, on a line where the under-arm This will show the drop of back, or length, the piece ends at waist. centre seam of back and seam of side form must be carried below draft of waist line, to conform to the shape of back at this point. The accuracy of fitting depends on the careful consideration of this point. Under-Arm Length. Measure from hollow of the arm to waist 8. line, well down. This is another essential measure and 7 to 7. governs the fit for length from waist line to neck. Place the tape on the promi9. Back of Neck to Point of Bust. nent bone at back of neck, bring forward over the shoulder, rather close to the neck, and down to point of bust as shown in illustration 6.

this point,

;

6 to P. 41



To

43

Draft a Basque.

10

Plate No. 7.

— Outline

of Draft.


To

44

Draft a Basque.

DRAFTING A BASQUE. One-half the basque Plate No. 7 shows the outline of the work. alone being drafted, all the measurements of circumference will be one-half

drafted

the

of

Those

measurements.

actual

length.

full

The

square,

i,

2,

3,

4,

of

length will

be

gives the lines within

which all the work is confined. The space between vertical lines that between vertical lines 8 and 9 I and 9 will constitute the front side and that between 8 and 4 the back of the under-arm piece, or ;

;

basque, or waist.

Draft line No.

1.

i

about two inches from edge of paper, or

sel-

vage of material. Draft from the right of line No. i, at right angles with it, line 2. The length of line No. 2 will be one-half the bust measure. No. 2.

Measure on line i to the left of line 2 the number of inches 3. you have decided on for length of basque. Dot, and mark 5. This point when carried out will give you your waist line. Find your 8th measure (under-arm length), and measure that 4. number of inches on line i to the left of dot 5, dot, and mark 6. This when carried out will be your under-arm line. Now find one-fourth of the bust measure, and measure that 5. number of inches on line i to the left of dot 6, and dot. From this dot to the point where line 2 joins line i is the length of line i

;

i.e.,

length of front. 6. 7.

right 8.

and

Complete the square by drafting the two sides, lines 3 and 4. Draft line 5, waist line, from dot 5, parallel with line 2, and at Line 5 extends from i to 4. angles with line i. Draft line 6, under-arm line, from i to 4, parallel with lines 2

5.

9.

Draft line

parallel with

7,

line of bust

(Note.

it.

— An

two inches below under-arm

line,

exact measure can be taken for this,

and the reader will find it explained in the article on Points.) The average length from the under-arm line to line of bust being about two inches, that number 10.

As i

used here.

below the waist

ally four inches

on lines

is

the greatest circumference of hip measurement

and 4

draft line 10

—

line,

measure that number

to the right of line 5 (waist line).

parallel with lines

5

and

2,

From

is

gener-

of inches

these points

and coming between them.


To

45

Draft a Basque.

the will always be one-hal distance of line 8 from line 4 of width the Measure one-half (5th measurement.) width" of back. these and between line

The

1 1

back on lines 2 and

measuring from

3,

4,

points draft vertical line 8. from line 8 will be I. The distance of line 9

one-fourth the

the number on Hne 6 between i and 8. Measure of this one-fourth take lines i and 8; of inches on line 6 between i Jine line from 8 ^o-ard measurement and measure on lines 2 and 3 lines through points, Draft vertical line 9 between these and dot gives the side or space for and 10, parallel with line 8. This of inches

number

5, 6,

7,

under-arm piece.

DRAFT OF BACK. a back of waist. Plate No. 8 shows the draft of from the angle formed by starting Draft the oblique line A, 1 angle formed by lines right-hand side of line 9 to the

lines'

9 and 6

;

inter;ect1ng line

and 4, der seam 3

8.

Mark

this line

A.

This

is

of back.

your shoul-

^ measure where it is crossed by hne A, and dot. and A and line 6, two-thirds" of the distance between from line 4, the number of line), (waist line Measure on 5 3 (width of back on waist line), inches taken by 6th measurement the distance you On the same line, between line 4 and and dot width of centre of back at waist haveTust measured, measure the

Beo-in

2

^'"^

Vo'^TE

on

,

line 8,

-The

centre width

is,

as i to the side-form width, about inches, at waist measures yA

That is, if the width of back inches, and the centre one mch. the side form will have 2% side form, lay it on the draft Use the piece marked curve for 4 andj^ touching the dot on line 8 between ^ its pointed end (top) draft and line nearest 4, edge of curve to the dot on hne 5,

to

-^1/

Brine the curve

Une

2,

5

B

With your

waist rule continue straight line from

parallel with line 4.

Mark your

From the angle formed by

B and B' and 8 draft line

down

to

lines

lines 6

^

to

second from

to the Continue the line, slightly slanting and Mark your lines C this point, to line 2. line A intersects slightly curve from where pencil your 6 With the curve to armgive dves This no, c 8. Q i<^(^f- Plate i riate.; (bee angle 6,

dot on line

line 8

down

circle back.

left

C

5.

to

\

">


To

46

6

Draft a Basque.


To

Draft a Basque.

47

10

Plate No. 9.

— Draft

Showing Front of Basque.


To

48 Note.

Draft a Basque.

— The length of

determine what

it

shoulder

This

shall be.

is

will

not marked, as the front will

be completed farther on.

DRAFT OF FRONT. Plate No. 9 shows draft of front of waist.

Place your rule in the angle formed by lines i and 7, and draft 1. an oblique line to a point on line 9 that will measure one-third the number of inches of bust measure.

—

Note. formed by mark it K.

i

If

the bust measure

and 7

will

is 36 the point on line 9 to the angle be 12 inches. Where the line ends on line 9

Place your rule in the upper angle of lines 6 and

2.

a line to a point on line 3 ure. 3.

its

Mark it L. Take the

piece

9

K, and draft

at

will

measure one-third

draft

measthat

and its right-hand end touches the shoulder seam and neck curve at the same line 3 at Z,

The curved .piece will give the correct bearing instructed. Mark the shoulder seam M, and neck N. time.

4.

and

8,

of bust

marked "neck, curve and shoulder," see

upper point touches

line

which

Measure the distance on

line

K

9 from where

if

placed as

touches, to the

angle formed by lines 9 and 6, and dot half-way between. From this point measure to the left 2^ inches, mark O, and dot. This dot

arm

gives the inside curve of circle "

for

arm

its

upper curve touching O,

with

curve naturally to point 5.

Undcr-arvi

circle.

Place the piece marked " curve

lower curved edge touching line

its

dot,

and

K on line

Piece.

9.

draft the

arm

circle,

6,

bringing

carrying the

(See Plate.)

The under-arm

piece

is

really drafted in

great part already, the pattern being the space occupied between the

and 9 and the horizontal lines 2 and 6, including the line 10 (shown in cut, but now to be 5, 7 and Of the under-arm piece the spring for hip remains to be Measure to the right of line 8, on line 10, three inches, Draft from this dot to the angle of lines 8 and 5, line S,

vertical lines 8

intersecting lines drafted).

drafted.

and

dot.

obliquely.

THE DARTS. To

number of inches to be taken out in the darts. the width of under-arm piece, at waist line, to the width of back at waist line, then subtract the sum from one-half the waist I.

find the

Add


To measure and the remainder

Draft a Basque. will

49

be the number of inches needed

in

front to complete the size of waist.

Find the number of inches on line 5 between lines i and 9 2. from that subtract the number of inches needed in front to complete the size of waist, and the remainder will be the number of inches to be taken out in the darts. Example. If the width of under-arm piece is 3 inches, and width of back on waist line 4 inches, these added give 7 inches, which subtracted from one-half the waist measure (say 12 inches)

—

leaves five inches

;

five

is,

therefore, the

number

of inches of material

required to complete the size of waist.

Then

if

the width on line

5,

between

lines

i

and

'9,

is

9 inches,

inches found above from the 9 inches and the remainder is 4 inches therefore 4 inches must be taken out in the darts. The amount to be taken out in each dart will be governed by the subtract the

5

;

and

conformation of the

figure.

curving at the

then the second dart and side seam will have

side,

large darts and very

If

little will

the person

be taken out

is

very

flat

in the first.

in front

If

the form

curves in front and flattens at the side the greatest amount of cloth

be taken in the

will

first

dart.

If

the figure

each dart will have an equal amount. darts, the side

seam being

one.

This

is

very uniform, then

Practically there are three is

always considered in this

S3^stem.

For first

practice, supposing 3^^ inches

could be allowed

third, or side

i}{

was allowed

inch, the second dart

for the darts, the ij4

inch,

and the

seam, three-quarters of an inch.

(i) and the first dart must always on ordinary figures is a good allowance. I. To draft the dart measure from line i, on line 5, i}4 inch, and measure the amount to be taken out in first dart, and dot Now dot. centrally, between these dots, draw a vertical line, parallel with line I and running from line 2 through lines 10 and 5 to within threeTake your curve pieces for quarters of an inch of line 7 (bust line). darts, and draft the curved lines, as shown in Plate, from the top of With your straight rule conline just drawn to the dots on line 5. tinue the lines, leaving about one-half inch width between them where they touch on line 2. Measure from right-hand side of the This will be first dart, on line 5, three-quarters of an inch, and dot.

The

space between the front line

allow for button holes

;

i}4 inch


To

50

Z

Plate No. 10.

Draft a Basque.

'

2.

Appearance of Front and Back when drafted together.



To

52

Draft a Basque.

your space between first and second dart. Measure the amount to be taken out in second dart, and dot centrally, between these dots, ;

draft

an oblique

ending

at line

7.

seen in the Plate, beginning at line 2 and Carry out the curved lines, as in drafting the first

line, as

and continue the straight lines to line 2. A very handsome slope is obtained by making the distance between the first and second dart, at line 2, about one-quarter inch more than the distance between them on line 5. The remaining number of inches to be taken out will be taken at the side seam, the dart being entirely on the front, the under-arm piece being allowed to continue straight down on line 8. Measure on line 5, to the left of line 9, the remaining number of inches to come out in the darts, and dot. From this point draft line 7" to the angle where line 6 joins line 9. Continue and carry out the spring for hip below waist line, same as the spring to underdart,

arm piece, corresponding with Turn to plate No. 8, Draft (7), between line 8 and line

line

^S"

as

of Back,

C

shown

in line T' of plate.

and observe that on bust

of side forni, there

is

line

a lost space.

As

the length of line 7 is just one-half the actual bust measurement, the waist would be too tight if this lost space was not made up. The left it out, because the cloth was not and places it where required, to carry out the correct bust measurement, as well as secure the accurate fit. Measure the distance on line 7 between lines 8 and C, then measure the number so obtained as a continuation of line 7, where it touches on line i, to the left of line i, and dot. This is the point or swell of bust. Measure from curve of arm circle (letter O) toward line I one-half the measure taken for width of front (3d measurement), and dot. Place your rule with its edge touching this dot and the dot out from line 7, and draft line + from curve at neck to line 7. This gives the slope of front from neck to point. Continue from line 7, a slightly curved line to a point on line i, above line 5, as shown in the plate. If any great fulness is required at the front of basque below waist line, the same is obtained by carrying out a line,

draft

being

demanded

scientific,

has

at this point,

as in dotted line of plate.

Length of SJiouldcr for Back. To complete the length of shoulder Measure the number of inches on shoulder seam front, line M, then turn to draft of back and measure the same

for draft of back.


To number 8.

Draft a Basque.

of inches on line A, beginning

where

53 line

A

intersects line

Dot, and draw horizontal line

V (back

To Complete

Whatever length number of inches on

Draft of Basque.

the

hip below waist line, measure that

beginning

at line

of neck).

continuing to or beyond line

5,

Measure the desired length continuing to or beyond line

of front

on

line

is

desired at

and

9,

Hne

5,

lines 8

10.

i,

beginning

at

Draft the line for bottom of basque

2.

V

from this point to where touches on hip line, or to the point you have marked for length at hip line. Measure the length of line and make the front seam of under-arm piece (line 9 from 5, down) correspond in length. Make lines and 6" correspond in the same way. The length of line BB^ (spring of side form back), and line ^',

V

C

continuation of back, must be the same. it will appear when made in one and 9 having shown the drafting at

Plate No. 10 exhibits the draft as drafting.

The

three plates,

different steps, are

made

7, 8,

separately to prevent confusion in the

mind

of the learners.

Plate No.

1 1

exhibits the four sections of basque

when

cut out,

the dotted lines showing the seams.

When

the draft

tracing-wheel

when

is

completed, as illustrated on plate

mark out each

10,

with a

section separately, and allow for seams

cutting out.

CORRECTING DRAFTS. For certain material

it

is

very essential that the draft should be

as nearly perfect as possible, particularly to

be matched.

where

stripes or figures are

Plate No. 12 shows a front of basque with corrected

The measures taken from the prominent bone at back of neck to point of bust and from neck to point are the test measures They are applied in this way. For the 9th for front of waist. measurement, place your rule on point of bust (line 7, and measure lines.

the length of 9th

where neck curve

i^

measure, less joins shoulder

inches, to the point nearest

seam

front.

(J/ joins

N)

tape or rule calls for more length, then the shoulder seam

M

If

the

{M) must

in the diagram. be carried out, as shown by dotted line above was required the dotted line would come below A'l.

If

less

The 4th measurement, neck the height of neck. the

same

to point,

This measure

as the other.

The

is

is

the test for correcting

taken from the point of bust

correction

shown

in dotted lines of


54

To

Plate No. 12.

Draft a Basque.

Corrected Draft of Front.


To

Draft a Basque.

Plate No. 13.

— Corrected

Draft of Back.

55


To

56 neck curve If

Draft a Basque.

illustrate that the line

more length had been required

has been dropped, or shortened.

it

would have been carried above

N.

line

The

dotted lines in upper points of darts show they have been

lowered as well as cate

that

seam

T'.

let

out

;

those in the darts of basque portion indi-

more fulness was required

Plate No. 13

The same

there.

shows a corrected draft

in the hip

back and side form. is found to run down below a line horizontal with the waist line, where it ends above hip joint, it naturally follows, that consideration must be given to the If the back measured 16 inches, showing fact in making the draft. a drop of i inch below line of waist, then the draft should be made from a point one inch lower than customary. Or measure 15 inches (i inch less than actual measurement), from line 5 to line F, above or below Fas the measure would determine. Line B would also be changed as shown in dotted lines of diagram, while line BB of side form must conform to the changed line B, the slanted line of cut showing how. The cut of side form on this plate also shows a dotted curved line C. It is a good plan to follow in all cases. The If in

of

taking the measure the length of back

curving of line

BB

at waist as illustrated

another point in artistic

fitting,

by the dotted

lines

is

giving a very pretty effect, and avail-

able in every basque.

TO DRAFT ONE DART. Plate No. 14 shows the all

method

dart.

For

one dart in cutting stripes has been

fully

outside garments and jackets this

The advantages

of

of drafting with is

one

the correct cutting.

dwelt upon in another part of the book.

To same

draft with

as

when

one dart the amount to be taken out

drafting with two darts.

The

will

be the

greater part will be

taken out

in the regular dart, though a slight curving will be allowed at front, and about one-half inch more dart taken at line T (side seam) than when cutting two darts.

Measure line.

2 inches

from

line

i

Then measure the amount

on

line 5

and dot

for first

sewing and

to be taken out in the dart,

Draft centre line, with very little flare, same as in drafting the other darts, using the curve piece to shape the dart.

dot.


To

57

Draft a Basque.

THE SLEEVE. Rules for Measurement. measures. Plate No. 6 shows the method of taking in illustration.) Around fullest part of upper-arm. (See 1. B. Around fore-arm below elbow, 2.

A

T,.

Around hand,

elbow, 5.

6.

7

A the

D to

easily, C.

E.

From elbow

E to

to wrist,

.

^ where sleeve joms waist .

,

a point in arm-circle back,

I From

*.^

to

F.

G

Inside length of upper-arm, Inside length of fore-arm,

to

H.

H to K.

measure can be taken from the

arm

to top of sleeve,

if

line of

where

A

passes around

desired.

Drafting the Sleeve. sleeve. Plate No. 15 represents the draft of a about 24 inches i, line draft square With your I inches long. rio-ht angles with it line 2, about 14

^

2

tS

the

left of line 2,

on

long,

and

at

^ measure 2^ mches and mark A. foreof length inside A, measure the

line

,

^

i,

On line i, to the left of (yth measure), and mark B. r measure the inside length of upper-arm 4 On line i, to left of B, 3'.

arm

,

(6th measure), On line 5.

and mark i,

,

,

C.

to the left of C,

measure 2 inches, and

draft

hne

^

j,

and 3. on line i draft line B, parallel with lines 2 inches, and dot. measure 2>^ i, line from On line B, 7 the circumference Measure from this dot on line B, two-thirds 8. BB. mark and dot, of 2d measure (fore-arm) to a point on line 2, draft Hne Q From point A, on line i, hand (3d measure). the around measurement measuring two-thirds of

^''6^'Vri^

foLtB

B

^"'lO^From pomt

C,

measuring two-thirds

on of

line

"'Ttrom 'ptinf ^^ (end of '^^f 'Onte'^i?

draft line i? to a point

line B), draft line

mea!!idng^from

^^T3"V4mThrrL^nt'°i;

on line

line

Fto

a point

3,

(ist

where

V, measure the length of

near A, draft a line to point A, and

measure the inside H, measuring from point A, dot. and fore-arm (7th measure),

"^^'^fon length of

i,

measurement around the upper-arm

line


To

58

Plate No. 14.

Draft a Basque.

— Draft

of Basque having One Dart.



To

6o

Draft a Basque.

E

Draft a line from the point where line touches on line 3 on line F, and mark FF. Draft a line from point C, on line i, to the dot on Hne H, and

15.

to the dot 16.

mark HH.

H

Draft line K, from the dot on X.o the dot on F, and mark. Measure one-third of circumference of upper-arm (ist measure) on line E, from line i, and dot. Measure one-third of circumference of fore-arm (2d measure) 19. on line K, from line H, and dot. 20. Measure one-third of circumference of hand (3d measure) on line D, from line H, and dot. 21. Draft line L, from dot on E to dot on K, thence to dot on D^ and mark L. 22. Line is the height to top of sleeve measure from centre of line E, intersecting line 3, line J/ making it about 4 inches in length. 23. Draft circle N', top of sleeve, and the curve to inside of arm circle as shown in plate. 17. 18.

M

;

Observations.

Shape your sleeve

to

conform to the

lines

shown

in the plate of

the perfected sleeve.

The

and under side together.

draft gives top

curved lines

This preserves the

H and HH.

Place the pattern over a sheet of paper and run your tracingwheel over the lines constituting the under side of sleeve, and you have the pattern. All seams must be allowed for. In basting, join points marked

X

and O, sew toward notch, and

gather fulness at elbow.

Fitting the Sleeve.

To fit the sleeve, draw it well up on the arm, then raise the arm, and bring the fore-arm at right angle with the upper-arm, and note if the elbow is right. Smooth the sleeve toward shoulder, and when it is feeling comfortable, pin it in. There is no point at which a sleeve should be set in, so no notch is given. On the conformation and muscular movement much will depend. Follow the directions here given, and satisfactory results will be obtained.

To

use the large plate, cut

it

out, paste

each section.

~Ll 13'

it

on cardboard, and then cut out






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