The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-04-19
DECORATIVE NOVELTIES.


well. .,,
Earl Of Lytton, IN Youths Companion
DECORATIVE NOVELTIES.
Among the decorative novelties for
mantle or table scarfs, one OF the most
effective is the black satin groundwork,
with flowers or figures in bright colors;
the borders can be finished with balls
or FRINGE. The former is very pretty
if made large square, with the lower
edge pointed sharp and finished by II
brass circlet, through which Is drawn
twist of silk ribbon. The alternate
panel should be long and narrow, with
straight edges, the color being chosen
TO harmonic with the room. 1t is a
very good way to use up old silk or
satin, and the decoration can be APP
piled very easily by anyone. Where
old black silk is to be used, sponge it
with ale; this will give it body, and
make the surface bright and easy to
handle.
A very pretty shade for chandelier
globe is made of a band OF bright satin
ribbon two inches wide, gathered
slightly at the upper edge to fit just
above the largest part of the globe.
The lower edge is bordered with an
tique lace about three inches IN width,
finished with fringe of embroidery
silk of the color of the ribbon, knotted
into its pointed or scalloped edge. A
chandelier of three globes has shades
repeating the colors Of the furniture,
one with ribbon and fringe of crimson,
another of yellow, and third OF dull
blue.
The novelty for floor decoration
which the art papers are talking so
much of at present, in which wall pa
per is applied to the use OF carpet,
seems to be the revival of an old fancy.
About forty years ago the same pro-
cess was in vogue, and although 1t Is
not particularly practical, it is pretty,
cheap, and coy. First wash the floor
perfectly clean, and when nearly dry
give it coat of paste in sections about
ward wide; cover this with coarse
brown paper; when this is dry cover
with paste, then, put down coarse I'M
bleached cotton cloth, which should be
thoroughly dried before the paper is
put on. The paper looks best if the
pattern is dark; and the surface needs
q heavy coat OF varnish. which must be
applied frequently to keep the cover
ing in good order. A covering of cloth,
calico or chintz is equally pretty and
more comfortable to put down. The
floor covering par excellence is the
Turkish rug or the Kcnsington Art
Square. The sides of the room only
need paint, hard finish, or the patent
marquetry flooring. This plan is very
acceptable OH account OF its cleanliness
and beauty.
This is the easiest way to applique.
If YOU wish to cut out velvet leaves for
applique work, tack the velvet on II Ia
bic, or board, with a piece OF flannel
below it, and with camcPs hair brush
paint it lightly over with mucilage;
leave it until thoroughly dry; remove
the lacks, and cut out what lou choose.
The object of making the velvc, sin Is
10 prevent it from raveling AS velvet
always does. When the leaves and
flowers are all cut, place them on the
material you wish to adorn, and put a
drop Of mucilagc here and there to
keep them in place. Only few should
be put on at a time, and these must DO
buttonholed with silk the same color;
when done. place moss leaves and sew
on. The object is not to injure the
leaves by having too many pasted at
one time, As they would drop off and
spoil from ovcrhandling. In working
al fancy work the hands should be fire.
quently washed as nothing spoils the
lustre of silk and velvet rs hands that
perspirc. The same rule applies to
Goth applique work. The back of the
cloth is not gummed, but a spot Of gum
placed lightly here and there, fixes the
pattern and makes it easy to work.
Some people run the leaves round on
the material with fine cotton. but in
pulling out the cotton afterwards you
rufile the work and make it look rs
though il had been dragged out Of the
rag-bag. Also in thus lacking on there
is always "a chance of an inferior work
er pulling the pattern, that is, making
il puff up when the material is drawn
tight, and in that case the under mate
rial should be shipped with the scissors
which will remedy the evil.-Americdn
Queen