1931 #23 Maidservant -- Soubrette The Occupations of Bleuette -- Les Metiers de Bleuette Bleuette, who is a very modern doll, knows very well that every little girl well raised and practical must inform herself with a lot of things. She has decided to stand in for Janette, the chambermaid, and to apply to become a model maidservant. But she thinks that she will well initiate herself more with work of the household, adorned with a costume stylish and indicating her new function. Do not oppose such a little thing! Make her this charming apron, so smart, and this no less charming tipped hat, which will transform Bleuette into a very whimsical maidservant but so convinced of the importance of her mission. The little apron is cut on the fabric folded double: from white lawn, and includes the ties of the waistband. [Editor: Note that you must extend and widen the ties to have sufficient length for a bow.] The shoulder straps are continued by straps on the straight thread, of which you have the pattern at the bottom of the page, they are adjusted in the front by a seam on the shoulder at point A and are equipped with buttonholes corresponding to the buttons of the waistband, a little behind; they cross in the back. All around the apron and the straps, finely make a small hem. The turn of the bottom, hemline, is edged with a pleating in box pleats out of white lawn doubled, or organdy also doubled. The hat is composed of the same double pleating, in organdy, crossed with a black velvet ribbon, that you pin to each side, on the head of Bleuette. But this is not all. A modern maidservant, worthy of this name, must have the set of lingerie matching her hat. And here is a small round collar, organdy or lawn, to cut on the fabric doubled, and that you frame with a pleating in the same fabric. The poignets [cuffs] removable, to wash easily, are made from a straight band, finely hemmed, with the pleating on three sides. They are closed by buttons and buttonholes. The collar and the cuffs can also be used as charming ornament on a simple dress, when Bleuette, having finished her service of maidservant, takes again a more elegant dress as hostess. The bow which closes the apron is made from two wide bands of lawn or organdy, with tails cut beveled. And here is an elegant maidservant, whose domestic science is as remarkable, certainly, as her pretty costume. Translation copyright 2012 Deirdre Gawne. Not for sale. www.dressingbleuette.com