Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-12-16
GOSSIP ABOUT HEEDLE-woRK.

A novel use of outline. stitch is in fash.
ion, the ordinary Nottingham lace tidy
ia transformed by its aid into piece OF
decorative needle-work. Upon the center,
which is usually plain, figures are worked
in filoselle or crewels, while the bordering,
which is generally of geometrical or fancy
design, is outlined in the same materials,
in all co!ors, the center OF a circle or square
being often worked in beads.
The fashionable arraseIe, which figures
so conspicuously in embroidery this fall, is
now used TO decorate the plush frames for
beveled mirrors. Designs are worked
either in the corners or across the top and
bottom, and are exceedingly effective.
A new stitch is in use, which is sort of
combination of feather and cross stitch.
and is very effective upon canvas. This
consists in working stitches of varying
length into and between each other, 10
every alternate one the thread being passed
under the needle in such way as to pro-
duce chain stitch.
Combinations of painting and needle
work are very usual. For instance, an ex-
ceedingly pretty lamp-shade is made by
painting different designs upon squares of
colored silk and then uniting the squares
by sewing insertions of French lace round
them, to which deep lace edging is after
ward joined. A still handsomer effect is
given by the introduction of a pretty tat.
ting pattern between the squares and the
addition of border of tatted medallions.
Ribbon forms quite an important feature
in needle.work to-day. Raised effects are
produced by gathering ribbon about an inch
wide at intervals and then forming it into
the shape of bud or flower and laying it
with few invisible stitches in the center
of round of plush or velvet, Very pretty
scarps for the piano are made in ordinary
muslin, with such raised work in ribbon
carried out at the ends.
The French knot, which is used for the
centers of flowers or for stamens, pistils,
etc., in art embroidery, is very easily made
and needs only little care to be very
effective. In making it the thread is
brought through to the front of the work
and held in the left hand four or five inches
from the work, while the needle is kept
in the right hand. The thread thus held
in the left hand must be twisted two or
three times round the needle as close to the
work as possible, then the point is turned
down into the material nearly, but not ex-
actly, where the thread came up. the needle
10 puitcu tuEOuRu W blt UIUtE sue, anu
the thread carefully drawn till the knot is
firm. A little practice will result in a psr-
feet French knot.
Darnipg stitch is very much in use now.
Designs are worked upon Java canvas ia
arrasene, and the background is simply
darned over quite evenly in any neutral
tinted cre8el that may be preferred. This
method has entirely superseded the old.
fashioned cross.stitch.
The imitation of tapestries and tapestried
effects is more fashionable than ever. A
great deal of this is obtained by what is
known as inlaid applique, which consists
in tracing the same pattern on two ma
terials and then carefully cutting both
out, and in laying one onto the other by
sewing the upper portion on to the under
with thread and covering the stitches with
fine cord or windings of floss silk. Some
times narrow ribbon or braid is stitched
over the edges to keep them fiat.
Oriental embroidery on thin muslin is
readily initiated at home by the use of
pearl and iridescent beads, and velvet and
plush leaves. The raised appearance of the
flowers, whether they are in beads or en-
broidery, is gained by padding. Cotton
wool is first sewn very firmly upon the out
lined design, and then the beads are thread
ed in the numbers necessary and laid care
fully over the padding, always being placed
in one direction. Generally, in reproduce
ing flower in beads, the center will be a
pearl or cluster of smaller beads to repre-
sent the raised center of the natural flower.
Drawn work is rapidly becoming more
and more fashionable. 1t is trying to the
eyes, but so fascinating that ambitious
workers are always celebrating designs in
it. 1t consists in drawing out the threads
of fine linen and filling in the spaces thus
obtained by stitches of every variety.
Recently, decoration for towels and nap.
kins has taken this form The threads are
drawn out at regular intervals, and then
design is worked in the interstices in col
ored threads, either in herring. bone, but.
ton hole, or chain stitch, or by simply
overcastipg.
The most fascinating baby blankets are
made now in fine Saxony flannel, en-
broidered in raised designs of flowers and
birds. The angels heads, which were so
fashionable last year, are scarcely seen
they are replaced by double bordering of
delicately- tinted blossoms, one end being
folded over and worked in such way that
it can be placed outside the coverlet The
latest style of all adds monogram in the
center.
Gold-embroidery can seldom be salts
factorily carried out upon the material to
be decorated. The best and safest way is
to work the design upon linen or crash.
and then cut it out and applique it on to
the surface upon which it is required.