Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-12-07
non Z; TOPICS.
How Plain Apartments nrc Made
csrful-Hints About Curtains ana
Carpets,


q bare, cold-looking bedroom into pref
ty boudoir. No bedroom should be with
out curtains, as we'll rs shades. There
are several pretty and inexpensive mate
rails from which curtains may be made.
For two ordinarv-sized windows-double
curtains-it will require twelve yards.
When the material is wide enough to go
across the window, single curtains are
pretty and not so expensive.
Canton flannel curtains of dark Grim
son are warm and tasteful. A band of
old gold Canton flannel about eight inches
wide should trim the top and bottom.
This material costs about 25 cents yard.
Cheaper curtains, and pretty ones, may
be made out of unbleached muslin and
trimmed with bands of blue. crimson or
yellow muslin, as the fancy dictates.
The daintiest curtains for bedroom
are white ones, and any thin material OF
null, lawn, Swiss, .either plain or dotted,
is suitable. One or two old white dresses
that are fit for nothing else will serve the
purpose. Even if thin and frail, they
will last for some time if carefully washed.
The curtains should be finished by mar
row ruffle of the material or frilling Of
lace. When loopcd bnck with ribbons to
correspond with the furniture the effect
is very good.
Many kinds of lambrequius may be
made at home, but oftentimcs the win
dows look better without any. Flowered
chintz is one of the best materials for this
purpose, and handsome ones may be
made out of an old broche shawl or meri-
no dress. Straight lambrequins nre fash
ionable and are finished with fringe.
White curtains shonld be covered with
white lambrequins Of the material or Of
lace.
Portieres for the closets and doors, and
also for the windows, if desired, can be
made out OF any Persian material, either
in woollen or cotton goods. The colors
should be dark. OF course the bars and
brass rings will cost little money, but
considerable may be saved by buying the
bars of plain pine wood and vanishing
with shellac. Portieres are greatly beau
titled if trimmed with bands of velvet,
velveteen or plush. Dark red or brown
is the best color, and an old skirt or jacket
will look well if utilized in this way.
| Carpets are always expensive, and very
often not pretty. If you have not car
pet for bedroom, do not waste money
buying one, unless the flooring is in a
very bad condition. Have the floor scrub
bed very clean, and then paint deep
brown and varnish. The paint can be
purchased all ready to apply, and twenty
five cents worth will do room.
Mats or rugs to place about the floor
can be made out Of variety of materials.
Squares of pretty carpet, lined with some
thick woollen goods and bordered with
scarlet or blue braids are serviceable.
Patchwork mats of calico, woollen or silk
goods, lined and borlered with crimson
pinkcd flannel or silk, are also cheap and
dainty.
Several mats or rugs should be placed
in bedroom, one on either side Of the
bed, one iu front of the dressing. table,
wash-stand and window. The room can
be kept much sweeter and cleaner without
carpet.
A dressing-table or bureau without O
cover or mats is n gloomy and unhand
: some article, and soon becomes soiled and
8 stained. Cottage furniture should be
l draped with white-dotted Swiss The bu.
reau should have two curtains of the ma
terial coming from the top and caugh,
; back at the sides by clusters of ribbon.
= ! cover of the same material, lined will
pink, blue or scarlet ailesia should cover
, !, the writing table and wash-stand.
s One of the loveliest fancy bed-coverl
, can be made out of white muslin. Cut
| the material in circles about four inchei
< in diameter, then gather the edge, turn
ing in, with strong white linen thread
When quantity of these are made, sew
:, them together, leaving little diamond
{ open space between each one. Wher
Ntp,a b. l,aI l.,
fringe on each end circle, and put
.. spread Of pink or blue cambric under
a q meath. Pillow-shams should be made il
. the same way. Such spread will kee,
a clean for long time, and does not re
b quire ironing after washing
n Household Hints.
}, Pretty and warm bedroom slippers ma.
c be made out Of pieces of any kind o
$ woollen cloth, lined with cotton batting
!. then sewed to pair of tleece-lined corl
8 soles.
v An old lace curtain will make tastefu
lambrequins over white lace curtains.
!, others are not at hand. Gather half fo
e one window in four puffs, and tack care
II fully up. The effect is pleasing.
y Dainty bedroom mats are made out G
J, the threads of old unravelled carpets
&c The colors are sewed on ground of cloth
Is and cut about three inches long. TIL
u crinkles in the threads make soft nap.
Flower-pots for the sitting room o
H. parlor are decorated in q variety of ways
Is A good way is to cover them with ban
IN of :bright-colored plush or ribbon an
st fasten with bow. Colored paper cover
ii are also pretty, and those painted an
decorated with pictures are also tast,
ful.
Pure mutton tallow is the best thin
for chapped hands. If you arc oblige
to do your own work wear long sleeves
an old dress or draw pair of long wris
ed gloves over the hands. Nothing save
the hand like wearing gloves
A piece of dark brown or black clot
may be made into pretty lamp mat {
small table scarf by button-hole embroi,
cry about the edge in yellow floss sill
and border of golden-hcartcd daisi,
connected by green fern fronds.
A dainty cap for a little girl is mac
out OF small pieces of white silk, plus
and velvet and covered with Valencienn'
lace.
Woollen stockings should be worn ov,
thin cotton ones if the former are di
agreeable to the skin.
Small boys should have double kne
placed on their trousers. This is dol
by sewing a square of cloth nef tly ON Il
wrong side of the garment.
A pretty evening hat was made out
an old black laco sGcquc which had n
been used for years. 1t was dipped in
coffee and pulled ont carefully. II
J. sleeves made the strings and cluster
cream roses were placed at the side.
A good strong work basket may be ma
by placing one pasteboard box inside a
other and covering both with dark musl
or silk. Embroidcr the top with scar
SeasOnn ble Rccipcs,