Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1884-03-06
WOMAN AND HOME.
Why Bachelors Are Abundant..-
Martyrs to the Piano
.song OF tho Shirt"--. Ruskin On
Female Deauty...New Theory
OF Colds. Hints on Homo
OrnamentatlOn.
TAmerican Queen. I

American Queen.
Hickory wood Is the fashionable fuel just
now, and wood boxes are being Handsomely
decorated. Some are covered with plush IN
q shade to match the furnishing OF the room,
and have dainty designs hand-painted upon
them. Others are made Of stamped leather
in octagon shape, and have tassels made OF
worsted ornamenting the ends. Those made
Of bamboo are more sensible and less extrava-
giant than any Of the others, and they look
almost as decorative. They are adorned
simply with piece Of pale blue or scarlet
ribbon.
The small, cheap, colored silk handker-
chiefs are now, as little novelties, being
quilted inside, with strong sachet powder IN
the lining, edged with coffee-colored lace, and
fastened together in the center by the corners
with bow of satin ribbon. Another style OF
pocket-handkerchief sachet, intended to hold
handkerchefs in drawer can he made OF
plaincolored cotton-backed satin, with two
pockets; on one side (the top, when foded)
white handkerchief with fancy border Is
folded and arranged with four pearl-hcaded
pins, and stitches in the centre. New
pelambulator covers Of old gold satin, with
border worked in large crosssttch in black
silk, aud good-sized monogram in the left
hand lower corner look we'll.
The table cover, made of plush and orna-
mented with border in cross-stitch, is very
handsome. The material is olive green plush,
aud the canvas Of an old gold color, worked
in olive green and red crewels. A worsted
fringe trims the cover all round. The design
for patchwork given is particularly suitable
for silk Enlarged 1t could be effectively
used as O centre for crazy patchwork table
.cover, bed-quilt or antinacassar. Only two
coors OF silk should be used. Amy mors
spols the effect. The border Of Indian em-
broidery is executed in silks on ground OF
pale plush The remainder Of the cover u
made Of rich aret-colored plush. 1t Is
lined with palest blue silk, and has worsted
fringe to match.
The usual way of decorating the back Of
piano for a ball is with q curtain or piece OF
embroidery gracefully arranged; but we
have also seen the palm hand-screen, on
which leaves and flowers have been Bewed,
attached to the piano in patterns, three in the
centre and one at each corner. with greenery
between, SO that the back was converted into
a parterrc Of flowers. From experience we
would suggest that all such floral adjournment
should be most securely fastened on, or
pieces of leaves become detached as the
dancers whirl around and adhere to
the dresses. A piece of ruby or gold -colored
satin covering the piano, draped with three
Syrian curtains. one along the top and the
other two at the sides, look very well. AS
the satin is not very wide, several yards will
he required but both it and the curtains are
durable, and come in for use afterward. An
other fashionable way is to fix glass on the
back, and paint spray, or rather branch OF
laburnum right across; then hide the edges
with a festooned length OF Indian yellow
silk, looping up with gilt chains or strings OF
bcads.
TO decorate straw chairs, first paint and
valnish them the color desired. Then line
the seat and back with cheese or serge cloth
or silk or any material you prefer. Cut m
exact paper pattern of the size or the seat of
the chair and then pattern for the back.
Cut out of common brown holland two pieces
each Of ths % sizes of course not forgetting
to allow q good margin for the trimmings.
Two inches over this material lay your wad-
ding with which you are going to pad 1t. and
over that tho second piece Of holland.
strip two or three inches wide is required for
the sides and depth Of the cushion. Pin this
and The edges together to keep the wool in
its place until you sew it on, and then tie the
wudding through at intervals to form
diamonds. When this is complete, cover
this on both sides with tapestry, plush or
cloth.