282. Putting in a Temporary Hem.—The hem of a dress that must be lengthened after it is laundered should be turned perfectly straight and stitched with number one hundred thread. It can be easily ripped and the fine threads will not leave the usual stitched lines that one often sees when a hem is lowered.
283. Serviceable Child's Dress.—A quaint little frock that will be serviceable, can be made from a remnant of demi flouncing hemstitched on the embroidered edge. This placed at the hem, of course, and the top is gathered in Mother Hubbard style into a neck band edged with a little frill. The sleeves are in bishop style confined with bands trimmed to match the neck.
284. Convenience for the Sewing Room.—A good sized waste basket should be continually close to every sewing machine. Then it is easy to form the habit of dropping all scraps into it just as the scissors make them, instead of leaving them to litter about the floor.
285. Buttons for Future Use.—When buttons are removed from a dress for future use they should be loosely strung on a thread before being put in the button box. This is a time-saver as well as keeps the buttons from getting lost or several of a set from being used.
286. Basting Long Seams.—When basting long seams, if the edge of the material is slipped under the machine needle and the needle is lowered it firmly holds the two pieces, and one can more quickly do the work.
287.—Mending Table Linen.—A woman who is expert in mending table linen does it in this manner: A piece of linen is coated with white soap, to make it stiff and the patch is evenly trimmed. This is placed under the hole in the damask after the edges around the hole in the tablecloth are soaped and trimmed to remove the rough edge.
[886 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
288. Washing Cooking Utensils.—All the cooking utensils should be washed with soda immediately after they have been used, which will remove every trace of grease.
289. To Make Soft Soap.—Soft soap made from half a pound of shaved hard soap and two quarts of water will save the soap bill at cleaning time.
290. Separate Night and Day Pillows.—If separate night and day pillows are not used, as is now generally done, the bed will look neater if special pillow slips are kept to put on over the wrinkled pillow cases by day.