The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-20
A Chapter on Aprons.


Dame Fashion does not at all times sanction
fancy aprons but at the present time they are
very highly approved. and are smiled on most
warmly by the capracious goddess. They are
seen in some charming designs made of various
stuffs and sizes, with even greater latitude in
the way of garniture There are rounded and
square aprons, aprons with and without bibs,
long or short full or scant, and some all in
white; but by far the greater number are orna-
mented with colored bows or embroideries.
Very dainty breakfast aprons made with
caps to correspond the most jaunty and CO.
quettsh little affairs imaginable. 1t is
quite the correct thing just now for maids
and matrons alike to wear these pretty
breakfast caps the difference being that those
for young are smaller and more gaily decorated
| than those worn by their married friends.
While linen scrim Is among the prettiest stufs
for these caps and aprons, and has the advantage
OF being very inexpensive, 1t is the prettiest
made up with drawn pink patterns, and, as the
meshes are very open, there is no tedious diff
Guilty in drawing the threads, and the sim
plest patterns assume lace-like appearance
| over bright colored ribbons. Belts that entirely
| ercrcle the waist are not always considered
becoming and short aprons may be finished
with ribbon bands that extend only across the
'front.' and are finished at either side with
bows-a short, full bow at one side, and bow
with long, floating loops and ends at the
! other A very pretty design for scrim apron
and cap shows the former made full and square,
and about three quarters of yard deep. finished
across the lower edge with six-inch hem
stitched hem. Above this three rows of
drawn work insertion, the widest one, at the
foot, being three inches wide. and the narrow
est, or third row, being just half of that width
Under each of these lace-like bands rose pink
satin ribbons set and the little square pocket at
the left SIDE which Is entirely of drawn work.
is lined with pink, and finished with quilting
of the pink satin ribbon across the top, There
is square, full bib gathered close at the band,
and again near the top, under a band of inser-
ton lined with pink, and the short belt is also
of pink ribbon, finished at either end with
| bow. The accompanying little mob cap is
wholly of drawn work over pink, finished
with pink quilting, and irregular knot of
pink directly in front Other pretty scrinn
aprons have the threads drawn in bands and the
oands run c!.""S0 with the narrowest Of ribbons in
bright. variegated colors. Perpendicular as well
as horizontal bands are seen, and when the for
| mer are used there should be three, one down the
center and one down either side, with pockets
between the bands, finished with ribbon knots
| IF embroidery is preferred to drawn work. aprons
and CAPS of Swiss muslin are very pretty, with
gray colored silk embroderies in vulture stitch,
| which is very rapidly and easily done,
and which is, moreover, very eff
| sctive. Plain, cream colored batiste also
makes dainty aprons, very pretty one having
| slightly gored front breadth, trimmed round the
| satin edge with scant ruffe of cream colored
| lace, run with red thread, and put on the apron
| under heading in the shape of fancy stitch
| of the same color. The gathered pocket is Of
| lace and the pointed bib also. A belt of red
satin ribbon. tied to one side il full bow com
| pletes the effect. The cap is made of a square
of the batiste about the size of ordinary hand
| kerchief, edged with a ruf1e of lace. The middle
| of each side of the square is drawn up to the
center, making the cap small, with very pointed
| corners. A knot of red ribbon catches the folds
| in the center, and the cap is worn cornerwise on
the head, and over high couture is particularly
becoming, with the point in front
| falling low among the soft curls of the
| bangs The most elaborate and delicate apron
| yet seen is of fine white silk boiling cloth, cut
| square and bordered with a wide hem through
| which pale blue ribbon is run. Above this
| hem is group of fine tucks, and above this
| again. in each corner, is nd-painted design
| of blue forget-me nots, with delicate green
| leaves and vines trailing through them A
pocket, also decorated with forget me- nots, is
added. and the little square bib is similarly gar
| nished. Both bib aud apron are gathered into a
grdle of pale blue surah silk, that encircles the
waist and ties to one side in loose knot, with
| long fringed ends Very pretty little work aprons
| are made of almost any of the foregoing
materials with more capacious pockets and q
domestic chatelaine attached. For the benefit of
any who DO not know of what domestic chate-
| laine consists, it may be described as full BE-
of short loops, made of ribbons about an inch
and half wide. From under this bow depend
| five long bands of the same ribbon, finished
across the bottom with very narrow mems.
| Through each narrow hem the very narrowest
ribbon of the same color is worn, and to the mar
| row ribbon finishing the largest end of the wide
ribbon a small pair of scissors are hung. A
| piece of wax is attached to the second end a
| thimble bag to the third, an emery cushion 10
| the fourth. and o fat needle-book to the fifth
| and last This makes a complete working out
| fit, and. fastened to one side of dressy little
apron, is pretty and useful addition.