GOIN’ TO THE CORNER

The parts may be used in several different combinations for various purposes. Light driving harness would not do the work of the heavy harness used on draft or work horses. All parts of the harness work together to enable the driver to control and

guide the horse, and to help draw the load.

DRESSMAKERS

Rena Hardy - In 40 years of sewing for the public, Rena Hardy saw many changes. As a young woman Rena learned sewing from her mother Mrs. George MacArthur,

but did not sew for the public until some years after her marriage. She made her own wedding dress. Her favourite garments were dresses for brides and their attendants.

Bridal gowns of the 1930s were styled in princess lines with skirts slightly below the knee. A few of the dresses had capes fitted at the shoulders falling the full length of the dress. Most bridesmaids of that period wore dresses with full skirts, over which there would probably be three tiers of netting. Taffeta was the material most com— monly used. The price for making one of these dresses was $6.00. If a bride chose silk or velvet for her gown, she could order it through the catalogue for $1.98 per yard. Many of the once well-known materials are almost forgotten today: wool serge for suits and skirts, gingham, calico, crepe and wool flannel for dresses. Velvet re- quired very careful handling. It had to be cut one way or there would be undesirable shading in the dress. Seams had to ' be finger-pressed because velvet could not be

ironed, unlike thevelvet of today.

The first tartan suit Rena made was a Black Watch tartan suit for an Elmsdale lady. Today the more common materials used include polyester, chiffon, seersucker, rayon,

cotton and satin.

In the 1920s wooden spools of cotton thread cost six cents and silk thread cost ten cents. In the 1970s plastic spools of polyester thread cost 45 cents. In the 19203 the charge for making an afternoon dress was two or three dollars depending on the work involved. Sewing was done on a treadle machine. Buttonholes were made by

hand.