For Beginners - To-day's Coupon Pattern!
The Shoulders Are Cut To Form The Sleeves, And An Inverted Pleat Gives Fullness To the Skirt
(Woman's Weekly, June 27, 1936)

The coolest of little runabout frocks for the really hot weather is to-day's Coupon Pattern.

It is youthful and simple, with its demure high neckline, and with the tiny Magyar sleeves. The neckline has a neat, shaped strapping, and there is a smart button fastening. The centre-front seam of the skirt is finished with an inlet inverted boxpleat at the hem. At the back, the skirt has a plain centre seam.

You w ill require 3 yards of 36-inch material for the frock.

This design (illustrated on this page) was made in a gay Miss Muffet print in blue and white floral design, finished with a white organdie sash and a large white organdie posy.

Lay out the pattern on the material as shown in Diagram 1, setting the back of the bodice and the neck-strap, also the front pleat of the skirt, to the fold.

Not a single point to worry about in cutting out, especially as the pattern allows for turnings! There is half an inch on all edges, except on the hem and bodice front. The skirt has a two-inch hem, and the bodice has a turning on the front edge up to the dotted line.

MAKING THE BODICE

Begin making the bodice by turning under the facings allowed on the front edges and invisibly slipstich them down, on the wrong side.

Stitch a dart from each front shoulder edge, and then sew the shoulder and side seams in the usual way.

An opening is left at the lower part of the left side seam for a fastening.

THE NECKLINE

The strapping that completes the neck is fitted with shoulder seams.

Stitch and press open these tiny seams, then place the right side of the strap flat against the wrong side of the bodice, round the neckline. Stitch half an inch away from the neck edge, all round, then trim off the seam trimmings. Fold over the strapping on to the right side of the bodice, and turn under the lower edge, machining it down neatly to the bodice.

Fasten the front of the bodice with buttons, or with clip studs, just using buttons as a trimming note.

To finish the sleeve edges, bind them with crossway strips of material ¾-inch wide.

THE SKIRT

YOU will be so pleased with the simplicity of the skirt. Start by joining up the centre-front seam in the usual way, from the waist to the pleat projections. Then press open the seam on the wrong side and also press back the projections, in a straight line, to the hem. Now take the separate pleat section, and join the side edges to the edges of the pleat projections of the skirt, then secure the top of the pleat to the skirt with a forked line of stitching.

The centre-back and side seams of the skirt are stitched up in the ordinary way, but do not forget to leave open the top of the left side seam a few inches, to complete the lower half of the side placket!

TO FINISH

Join the bodice and skirt together round the waistline, then neaten the side placket and sew on press fastenings.

OTHER FANCIES

A dark contrasting neck-strap, with a wide belt to match, is a pretty variation for the frock. You will need a ³/₈-yard of contrast. Cut a five-inch wide strip for the belt, so that it can be folded in half, then stitch it so that the belt is of double material when finished.

The front edges of the bodice, the neckline, and the sleeve edges of the second variation are trimmed with ready-made bias folds of white piqué. The front opening is fastened with clip studs, and one large button trims the neck.

A dainty notion is to have a scarf and tie-belt of crisp taffeta on a silk frock, as shown in the third variation.

The neck-strap can be omitted altogether; just bind the neck neatly with a crossway strip.

The belt and scarf will take ⁵/₈-yard of 36-inch contrasting material.

Cut a long, straight strip for the belt, fold it in half lengthways and seam it, as already suggested in the first variation.

Cut the scarf pieces on the cross of the material, so that it will drape prettily. Join up these pieces so that the scarf will measure about one yard in length. It can be made in a single material with the edges finished with narrow hems, or binding, whichever you prefer.

How The "Lovlies" Are Making It
(A Cool Little Frock for the Hot Summer Days)

COTTON FOR MORNING

Dress. Brown and white cotton, with a neck-band of plain brown and a wide stitched belt to match, finished with a brown wooden buckle. Six Square buttons of brown wood fasten the bodice.
Coat. Brown linen, knuckle length.
Hat. White straw sailor, with brown ribbon band.
Shoes. White linen, with brown trimmings.
Stockings. Mayfair brown.
Gloves. White fabric, stitched with brown.
Accessories. A wide, brown wooden bracelet and a brown and white handbag.

LINEN FOR TEA.

Dress. Printed linen - different shades of green on a white ground. Bias strips of white piqué finish the sleeves, neck and bodice opening. A large novelty button fastens the neck.
Coat. Bright green woolen, with detachable piqué revers.
Hat. Matching green straw, with floral trimmings.
Shoes. Green and white leather oxfordettes.
Stockings. Granite - a sand shade.
Gloves. White piqué gauntlets.
Accessories. A green leather belt and a green and white handbag.

SILK FOR BEST WEAR

Dress. Bright blue silk figured with chalk pink. A short straight scarf of chalk pink taffeta and a tie-belt to match. A row of tiny buttons trims the bodice opening.
Coat. A jacket of the dress material, made with large puff sleeves.
Hat. Chalk pink straw, trimmed with blue.
Shoes. Pinky-beige kid, trimmed with blue bows.
Stockings. Glow - a golden beige.
Gloves. Matching blue kid.
Accessories. A pochette of stitched pink taffeta and bright blue ear-rings.