Practical Dressmaking: being Plain Directions for Taking Patterns, Fitting On, etc ([1879])

The failings of dressmakers are almost as favourite a topic of conversation as is the degeneration of domestic servants, wherever women most do congregate; the changes being rung on their exorbitant charges, bad fit or style, incredible consumption of material, and unpunctuality in sending home articles distinctly promised at a given time. Re-making old dresses and altering new ones spoilt by second or third-rate dressmakers, is the lot of hundreds of girls in good social position, nor can they lose caste in any way by turning what is too often wholly idle time to such a practical purpose. The desire to learn has often been experienced without the means of learning, for although there are classes held by a few dressmakers, they are composed of ladies’ maids and milliners’ assistants intending to start business themselves; and naturally, such associates are objectionable to private people.