The woman who maintains her home, does all or part of her family sewing, with or without the aid of a seamstress, should find much of interest to herself in her work, within this book. If her problem be concerned with the saving of income, useful helps are to be found in Chapter I, Income Spending; also in Chapter II (Fabrics - Facts For Consumers), Facts for Consumers, which treats of the fabrics of which women's clothing is made. In Chapter III, Clothing Design, are presented some fundamental principles to guide in planning the garments to be made. Chapter IV (Color) states some theory about color and suggests exercises intended to advance one in the intelligent use of color. Chapter VIII (Simple Problems In Clothing Design. Equipment And Materials For Designing Clothing) shows methods of designing clothing by the use of flat patterns, or by draping directly on the form. Chapter IX (Commercial Patterns: Purchase And Use) treats of the purchase and use of the commercial pattern, which for many, seems the necessary key to the situation. Chapters X and XI tell of the necessary tools and equipment for a sewing outfit, and how to make the fundamental stitches used in garment construction. In Chapters XII to XXI are to be found directions for making various under- and outer-garments, while Chapters XXII and XXIII treat of methods of decoration.

The home woman, should provide herself a place in which the sewing may be shut out from her view and thought, when engaged in other work, or recreation. This may be accomplished in one of several ways:

A Sewing Room

Where most or all of the sewing is done within the home, a room, be it ever so small (if well lighted, and with chance for good ventilation), in which the cutting, basting, stitching and pressing may be done, the work dropped when necessary and the door closed upon the seeming disorder will prove not only a great saver of time, but strength and energy as well. A room with a north light is good because the light is steady and easy to the eye. We all love sunshine, however, and should take it into all the work we can, so much is to be said in favor of the sunny window. Where there is abundance of sunshine, it is well to have the window shade in two parts, so as to draw it from the bottom where it is desirable to have all light from above. A good artificial light should also be provided for use on short winter days. If a sewing room is not a possibility, then devise some means of putting the work out of sight when laid aside for other duties or leisure time. It may be an entire chiffonier or a corner of one's bed-room cupboard may serve the purpose.

As much sewing equipment for the room may be selected from that listed on p. 136 as the individual woman can afford to install. A few of the most necessary pieces of equipment are here noted.

Cutting Table

This should be high enough to stand before and cut out without "breaking one's back," should be built to suit the individual height. It can be either a heavy table such as is used for laundry purposes, or simply a loose top and trestle built by the carpenter who does the odds and ends of work for the home. It should have a smoothly planed, but unvarnished surface, so that tracing may be done at will, without fear of marring it.