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Show , Woman's World Protection, Comfort Important In Infant or Toddler Garments I $11 rtta JJafett "X7"HEN we' think of iclothes for , ' ' babies, most of us make the mlsfake of clothing them, at least In our thoughts, with ruffles and bil-lowjt bil-lowjt dresses. Actually, though, the mosl important considerations In making baby's clothes sensible are comfort, protection, room for rapid growth and room for plenty of movement. So, when you plan a layette, or do some sewing for a friend with a baby, don't get too sentimental. The gift-type garment may bring most Ahs and Ohs from friends, but the mother will appreciate simplicity sim-plicity and ease of placing the garment gar-ment on the baby most of all, and this should be your main aim. It certainly will be your main theme if you've ever tried to dress a equlrming, wriggling youngster. The garments you'll want to avoid are those with tiny collars that wrinkle and crush easily, garments that have to be slipped over the head, and tight, gathered sleeves. Whenever you can, make clothing for baby with wide, raglan sleeves because these slip on so easily. 7 Show a definite preference for gar ments that open and close In front, particularly nightgowns and the like that can be folded over and tied. Fabrics may be Just a little difficult diffi-cult to find, but remember to choose those that are soft and fine: batiste, soft muslin, voile, extra-soft flannel and crepe. The seams may be French fell, flat hand-rolled or hound. Special Care Needed For Toddler's Clothes Have you ever watched a baby learning to crawl or reach? Notice this the next opportunity you have and see how much leeway the garment gar-ment has to have to accommodate all this activity. The sleeves should be loose and free so as not to put any strain on the youngster. The little seat of the pants comes In for Its share of the strain too. Little rompers or panties for the baby at the creeping stage need extra fullness full-ness at the back, and should be shorter in the front because bf the positions they get themselves into. Because toddler's garments come In for their share of buttoning and If you're tewing for baby. ... unbuttoning, you will want to make these as secure as possible. Top tips which you will want to follow for sewing on buttons are these: first, use only a single thread; second, sec-ond, do not make the mistake of .sewing on the buttons too tight. There is pull and strain on the button but-ton that easily gives way if lt hugs were an active youngster Instead of just a pretty doll, and the baby will be much better off. Always make little girl's dresses with large hems. Then as the child grows, the hems can be let out and more wear achieved from the garment. gar-ment. A little girl's dress should have an opening sufficiently large around the neck to permit easy getting in and out. Only one button is used for this opening. Very large or small buttons or snaps and hooks are considered poor choice for youngster's garments. gar-ments. Child authorities say that it is easy for the child learning to dress to use the medium-sized flat button, but he is lost with the outsize out-size or small size. Teach him self reliance by making it easy for him to dress himself. For boys' one-piece garments, use a drop seat controlled by a belt. This is easy for the boy to manage even at an early age and looks neat. The drop seat can have an elastic run through a casing so that it snaps back into place easily after being stretched. the garment too tightly. Save the Sentiment, Lean Toward Practical All mothers want their youngsters to have lovely pastel coats of soft wool with silk linings. This is a nice sentimental gesture, but actually this type of coat is more practical If made with flannel or challls that is unlined. Then the coat is more easily made, simply washed and more durable. " Another good Idea is to spend time making rompers in several izes for the toddler. Boys, of course, use rompers as soon as they begin to crawl, but It isn't such a bad Idea to make rompers for little T Mak them sensible and practical. girls, too. Dresses may be lovelier, but if you will notice, they easily get in the baby's way, and she may trip and fall more often than necessary. nec-essary. Dress the child as if she |