The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-10

stereotyped GETS of furniture, each piece in a
room the counterpart of that next il, but,
instead, variety is preferred, with scarcely
any two articles alike, ladies of taste and in
genuity employ their leisure in embroider-
ing covers for different articles An odd
chair, lounge, sofa cushions, rugs, foot
stools, a table or piano cover, embroidered
by the lady of the house, is to be found in
almost every home. To complete the stripes
for the back of folding chair, and an elabo-
rate piece for the seat, seems to be the ambi-
tion of almost every young lady. During
the holidays these chairs and camp-stools
were the favorite gift to bachelor brothers,
friends, and lovers Some were ornamented
with heads of animals, hunting scenes, or
battle pieces, while for smokers, cigars, pipes
and tobacco jars we're wrought on the canvas
The back of the chair is usually three stripes,
a different vine of flowers in each, or else the
monogram of the owner is in the centre, with
q wreath of foliage around it.
Most of this work, that looks so difficult, is
very easy, as the complicated shading, and,
indeed, all the intricate design, is done by
experts before it is offered for sale. The
lady who purchases it merely fills out the
background by simple cross stitches of wool
of q single color. Fancifully shaped catch
alls, or wall-pockets, for letters and other
small articles, are made of black walnut, and
have an embroidered piece in front; brackets
for vases and stationery are draped with
needle-worked cloth; chamber racks for hats or
an overcoat are embroidered in the centre,
back OF the pegs; willow baskets are orna-
mented in the same way; the backs of hair
brushes, straps fora travelling shawl or water
proof, small picture frames, tiny easels, ira
Yelling satchels, and multitude of such small
articles are decorated with this gay work.
Perforated morocco and perforated board
either tinsel or silver, are used for making
many pretty toilette articles, and embroidered
in bright colors. There are cornucopias for
shaving papers, tapers, or loose hair; match
safes, photograph frames, and boxes for
mouchoirs and gloves. The holes in this
board are very large, hence the designs are
easily wrought, and the labor is not injurious
to the eyes, as it was when very fine perfora-
tions were used.
BRAIDING.
Talking of embroidery reminds us that
braiding has proved to be exceedingly popu-
lar for trimming dresses this winter. The
designs are made to initiate passementerie,
and are thick and heavy, being filled in
almost as closely as embroidery. Plain SOU
tache and the feather edged braids are both
used. The braid must match the color of
the garment. Two colors mingled in the
braid, or one color in contrast with the ma
terial, should not be used except for fanciful
jackets for the house, or for children's
clothes, and these have either black or white,
or any solid color.
The handsomest velvet cloaks of the winter
have elaborate designs of fern or palm leaves
braided above lace. Dark cloth and cashmere
suits have the slashed paletot and upper skirt
braided to match. These are worn over silk
skirts, or else over cloth skirt, made plain, or
perhaps the whole garment is edged with fur.
Black cashmere suits richly braided are in
especial favor. The vest and cuffs, or the
Maria Theresa collar of such suits, are almost
covered with braid. Some house jackets of
white scarlet, or blue cloth or flannel are
braided all over, or are chain-stitched with
the sewing machine in braiding pattern.