Page:The Cutter's Practical Guide 1898 Edition Part 1.djvu/8



Tailors generally do not view this important branch of the profession with the most kindly feelings as owing to the keen competition brought to bear by the ready-made houses, the prices are necessarily kept low; so that whilst many people do not object to pay a good price for their own garments, yet anything approaching a correspondingly proportionate figure for the juveniles would be considered most exorbitant; so that it will be necessary for those who aspire to clothe the coming race to be very expert in the matter of economy in every detail and by it's means be able to produce garments at a reasonable figure and at the same time yield a living profit. A large one should never be attempted, as the tailor is sufficiently handicapped by the log to allow of any liberty being taken with the price. Nevertheless, although the immediate profit may not be large, yet this branch is well worth the attention of every tailor desires of building up a connection; for, by carefully catering for the wants of boys, they are likely to think of "their tailor" after the leading strings are cast aside, and they are in a position to order their own attire, so that, in addition to the large amount of trade to be done at a reasonable profit, there is a connection to be built up, which must prove very beneficial to the firms who give this branch their careful study.

The systems as laid down in this work have been arranged with a view to simplicity and accuracy, and may be relied upon to produce smart and clean-fitting garments for the majority, and at the same time admitting of that ease or "growing room" most parents are anxious to impress on your mind as a positive necessity when giving the order.

As the scope of the work is very wide it will be as well to view it more as a treatise on practical cutting, adapted to youths and juveniles, than as a pure and simple juvenile work; accordingly we shall endeavour to explain such principles as will stand the test of meeting the vastly different wants of all the seven ages of man. It has been frequently pointed out that a knowledge of anatomy and mathematics is of very great service to the cutter, and as we shall endeavour to show every phase of science or art that can be brought to bear on the development of our profession, these must occupy a prominent position. Accordingly, we take a brief glance at

And its practical use to the tailor, in helping him to fashion a fitting covering for the image of God. It is not our intention to describe the formation of the skeleton in detail, but rather to point out such truths as will be of service to us as tailors, and foremost amongst these comes the fact that there are certain portions of the skeleton or framework which always remain near the surface; that is in a thin man the bones may be felt very plainly at these places, and no matter how fat the person may become, these particular parts are still only covered by a comparatively very thin portion of skin, as compared with other parts of the body. These parts are marked with a cross on