RENOVATING Almost always the garment which is to be mended requires more or less renovation before it is ready for serv ice again. In the case of cotton fab rics the laundry does the work. In silks, woolens, or velvets a deft hand and cleansing fluid, a damp cloth and an iron are necessary.
To Restore the Gloss Finish on Woolen Goods.—First, brush the cloth the way of the weave with a brush dipped in weak gum water. Then carefully place over it a sheet of paper or a piece of cloth, allowing no wrin kles either in the cloth or the cover ing, and put it under a weight or in a screw press until dry.
To Restore Creased Velvet.—Velvet creases badly when folded for trim ming, and cannot be used again until the creases are removed. A simple way to do this is to procure a wide piece of heavy cardboard and stretch the velvet tightly upon it, overlapping as little as possible. Put the card board in a paper bag, paste the top to keep out the dust, set it on the shelf above the kitchen range, and let it remain there until the heat raises the pile.
Or wet a cloth and lay it on a hot iron, holding the velvet over the steam which rises.
Or stretch the velvet until it is taut on a light wooden frame made, if possible, the size of the piece to be renovated and hold it over the steam of a boiling kettle. This last proc ess has, perhaps, the most durable effect.
To Raise the Nap on Cloth.—The article should be well cleaned, after which soak it in cold water for half an hour, put it on a board, and rub the threadbare parts with a hatter's card filled with flocks or a teasel brush. A prickly thistle will answer
the same purpose. When the nap is raised, lay it the right way and hang the garment up to dry. In renova ting clothes the elbows, collars, and cuffs are often so worn as to make the garment look shabby. By the above process it may be completely rejuvenated.
To Clean a White Mackintosh.—A white mackintosh is very easily soiled and may be cleaned with soap and water. But if it is extremely dirty a soft scrubbing brush with yellow soap may be used. Rub on both sides until the dirt is removed, then dip in three or four waters until the soap is rinsed off and hang in the air without wring ing. Mud stains around the bottom are very difficult to remove and the garment may have to be sent to a cleaner. But do not use benzine or gasoline, as they will dissolve the rub ber.
Trimmings. — On renovation day trimmings also come in for their share of attention.
To Stiffen Silk for Trimmings.—To renovate a piece of silk that has lost its stiffness, sponge the surface with a weak solution of gum arabic, or with equal parts of ale and water. To prevent its becoming glossy iron while damp on the wrong side.