Colac Herald (Vic. : 1875 - 1918), Wednesday 24 January 1917, page 6


FOR WIVES AND DAtUGHTERS. A WEEKLY BUDGET OF FASHION, hOME MA1NAGEMENT, NEEDLEWORK ANM) COOKERY.

S051 E .1 AUT|1:iN H\ LATS. 'It seems so early to be talking of the autumn fashions but one likes to have an idea of what is comling. One thing is certain, there will be very little tinmming, some hats will have none, but will .iut depend on clever lines and clever handling of material. A charming white felt hat had an array of tiny Greek dancing girls silhouted in shining black against the crown and connected by festooned chains of tiny shining black beads worked tlatly on to the soft white surface. A black velvet finished the hat which was slightly curved upwards all round. Another white felt hat had a picture painted and embroidered by hand in the daintiest ,colorings all round the crown. Yellow is well represented in felt, buvetyn, velours, and velvet in the palest amber to the most vivid canary. A black patent leather brim piping band an an encircling crown 'embroidered in yellow silk is very- successful on a canary tinted felt hat. The pinafore bodice is increasing hi size. It is widening at the base and is.rising at the neck, and really becoming more like a sleeveless blouse than anyhting else. These new blouses are cut very low indeed and in circular fashion, only suited to a plump throat. The "Jumper" blouses look very well if opened slightly down the front and laced together after the blouse is on. Laced in black velvet they look very well. . One of the new collars is sloped away almost to nothing in the front and so long at the back as to almost reach the waist. This collar is cut in square fashion and is not rounded at the points. Deep hems are usually the only trimming. Marquisette is being used now for underlilouses This has always been a great lascination about the sumer sales and this season they seem better than ever. The ready made frocks and blouses prove so useful these times. Remnants come In for all sorts o fthings that do not mean actual dressmaking. For instance a sash to adorn it sale bought readymade frock is a welcome use for a piece of silk. Then oddments of -ribbon no matter how small, may with the help of insertion 'eather stitching etc. be made into dainty camisoles and handbags. It is not advisable to put silk ribbons by because they perish. Try and buy any lengths of crepe de chine at saletime.. Any crepe de chine articles should always be washed at home, they are so easily laundered. A little melted soap or lux, and warm, not hout, is all that is required, and a pinch of salt in the rinsing water if it is colored. A crepe de chine dress or gown, made very simply and softly, would hbe a good investment the whole thing lttng. loosely, slipping on easily and :being adjusted in a second by a patent belt, or a scarf-sash of its own material passed beneath a couple of stitched tabs at the sides. Hats are expensive and smarter than they have been for a long time The safest choice of all just now is a taffeta .silk or straw hat. There is a:'e perfectly chic new sailor's shape fairly low as to the crown, and wide a band of ribbon and a bow, or a cockade at the side. Such a hat as to the brim, simply trimmed with will 'keep. you smart all through the autumn as well. There is no age limit either, as this hat looks charming on anyone. It is 'a good-time just now to buy ,stockings, also boots, which can but put away on boot trees. It is not advisable to buy more woollen goods than are required, becanse of the moth The best remedy fore moth appears to be tobacco which comes rather exensive unless one c.,r get the sweepings from a factory. It should be sprinkled between the g:rmnts. IIOUSEIHOLD ILNTS. ia:;ging the oven door is responsiile for much heavy bread cake. The door :lould be closed very gently. l)si.<es which have become brown and ,uirnt from baking in tile oven may < asily be cleaned after they have stood a while in borax and water. \\Whln makiing sponge cake or sandwichil., always put a tablespoon of water with the chill cff it in the cake mixture with the eggs. The cake will bie milic itore light and spongy. \W'hen frying fish sprinkle the bottom of thie pan with salt. It will pret'll sticking and the fish can be easily turned without breaking. BIefore heating milk in an enamelledl saucepanl it should be rinsed out with cold water and then the milk ishould be poured in. Don't dry the sauceplral. Jam served with hot puddings shlould be heated in a saucepan with a little water. If sugar is added to stewed fruit after it has become cold much less will be reqruired to sweeten it. If the upper inart of a saucepan 1i greased with ,a bit of butter, the con

tents will not boil over, no matter what you may be cooking. Always soak Brussels sprouts the day before cooking them. Currants and sultanas should he put into boiling water and soaked all night. In the morning drain them well and dry in the oven. . Never turn out puddings the monlent they are taken from the sautcepan or they are liable to break. Let the steam pass off for a minute or two, during which time the pudding will shrink and become much firmer. It is a good plan when making a ruit pie to put a sheet of geased white paper between the fruit and the pastry. This prevents the pastry from sinkng. The paper can be removed before the pie is served. TUE BEST BED BOOKS. We are all creatures of habit, and habits die hard. One habit almost as dear as the early morning tea habit is that of reading in bed. A well-known specialist says that, taken in the right way, it is an excellent cure for insomnia; but, taken in the wrong way ,it does harm. The best bed books are essays, reminiscences, descriptive works and philosophy. By such reading the brain has been gently exercised, but not excited. It is a kind of mental massage, which soother and rests. For the one given to the readingbed habit, an electric lamp that throws the light over the right shoulder and can be put out without getting out of bed, is to be recommended. To read when lying down flat is bad for the eyes. The reader should be well propped up with pillows. PREFI'Y LAMP SHADES. If you want to replace your lampshades with something pretty and inexpensive, crepe paper is about the best thing you can make use of. A lovely shade can be made in half an hour, and the effect will be quite satisfactory. A big roll of paper is necessary, costing about Sd., and a piece of 2-in. ribbon the same shade. Tack the paper to the outer ring of your frame, letting the edge roject and inch or so, afterwards pleating up the middle of the paper to fit the upper and smaller circles. Turn the rest of the paper back, patting and coaxing it into a pretty frill, then tie the ribbon over the stitches, and the shade .i complete. Pink paper gives a rosy glow, and yellow brightens a room. Greens, blues and mauves are too cold to be successful. A shade used in a green drawing room that was most effective was made of white crepe paper bordered at each edge with yellow daisies and green foliage. A green ribbon to tone made a good finish.