184 IN THE BIDING-SCHOOL. 



modern eyes being that which shows no trace of 

 the needle, an end secured with lighter cloths 

 by pressing all the seams before hemming, and 

 then very lightly blind-stitching the pointed 

 edges in their proper place. 



Strength is not desirable in the sewing of a 

 habit skirt. It is always possible that one may 

 be thrown, and the substantial stitching which 

 will hold one to pommel and stirrup may be 

 fatal to life. So hems are constructed to tear 

 away easily, and seams are run rather than 

 stitched, or stitched with fine silk, and the cloth 

 is not too firmly secured to the wide sateen 

 belt. The English safety skirts, invented three 

 or four years ago, have the seam on the knee- 

 gore open from the knee down to the edge, and 

 the two breadths are caught together with but- 

 tons and elastic loops, all sewed on very lightly 

 so as to give way easily. The effect of this 

 style of cutting is, if one be thrown, to trans- 

 form one into a flattered or libellous likeness 

 of Lilian Russell in her naval uniform, pre- 

 pared to scamper away from one's horse, and 

 from any other creatures with eyes, but with 

 one's bones unbroken and one's face unscratched 



