Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-04-20
A FINE ART.

The Home Journal calls the "art OF
| Patching Fine Art. and goes on to
remark upon it in very pleasant and IN
structiye manner:
We said a few words, in late number,
about the neglect of homely. household
arts in the education of girls. We find
80 en- Edinbut gli paper, soIncthing further
and better on the same subject to which
we invite the attention of mothers and
teachers:
ITO patch-how vulgar is the term
ct 1T is an operation requiring far more
skill than does the making of u new gar
ment, and when we'll executed, may save
the purchase of many costly one the
most expensive robe may, by accident.
be torn, or spotted the first day of its
wear the piece inserted in lieu of the
damaged one is a patch. If figured
material, the pattern has to be exactly
matched in all cases the insertion must
be made without pucker, and the kind of
seam to be such as, though strong, will
be least apparent, the corners must be
turned with neatness. Is not this an art
which requires teaching? So of darning,
much instruction is necessary as to the
number of threads to be left by the need
lie according to the kind of fabric then
there is kind of thread or yarn most
suitable, which requires experience to
determine where the article is course,
the chief attention is directed to expedi-
ton, but a costly article of embroidery
on muslin can only be well darned with
ravellings of similar muslin such par
ticulars do not come to the girl by inspi-
h,, la. l
acquired by dearly bought experience
The third mode of repair is we'll under
stood and practiced by our continental
neighbors, though rarely in this country
The stocking stitch is neither more diff
cult nor tedious than the darn, yet how
many pairs of stockings are lost for want
of knowing it when a hole happens to
be above shoe2 Practice in lace stitches
is still more desirable: particularly for
repairing lace of the more costly descrip-
| tions. The deficiency of single loop,
when lace is sent to be washed. often be-
comes large hole duriug the operation,
and thus the beauty Of the lace is des-
troyed. Indeed lace when duly menGed,
on the appearance of even the smallest
crack, with very little trouble, may be
made to last twice or thrice the usual
time of It's duration So the shawl stitch
is never taught in this country, though by
employed it with ravellings itself, the most
costly cashmere can be repaired without a
possibility of discovering the inserted
part.
| Proficiency in such useful works might
we'll merit as much appreciation as is now
/ bestowed upon crotchet and other fancy
works. and might be considered as equally
desirable qualifications in a tradesman's
governess as music. Iu populous places
/ it might well answer to establish schools
where the art of mending apparel should
| be the chief object of instruction month
! or two spent In it might be sufficient for a
damsel who is already good plain needle
/ worker 1t must further be observed, that
without practical knowledge Of needle
work, 10 young lady can tell whether hei
servant has or has not done reasonable
quantity of it in a given time; and i
this be true as to the plain seam, it il
still more essential in regard to mendine
of all kinds"