Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-04-23
TABLE AND HOUSE LINEN.

Our grandmothers OF fifty years ago
would shrink back appalled, if they
could gaze upon the many eXtrava-
gances of the present age in house lin
ems. Some of the novelties are so beau
tifully fine that it seems as though
fairy fingers alone could have guided
the looms in their manufacture. The
figures in table linen are mostly geome-
trical, following the lead of wall papers
and general household adjoining.
Floral designs are not altogether dis
placed, and among these there are
numerous pretty styles.
Sheeting and pillow-case linen should
be chosen for the eYenness of the
threads, very heavy, coarse linen hav-
ing an unsightly appearance. The
sheets, bolster, and pillow-cases are
made in sets-that is, they are trimmed
to corresponds two-inch hem is fin
ished with hem-stitching, and upon
this is an embroidery design. A large
monogram or initials is placed in the
center above the hem of the articles.
There are many different styles and
modes of trimming, but none that lasts
so well and uniformly looks the same
Il
upon the bolster and come down over
the quilt, are used for daytime, and are
made of fine linen deliberately trimmed
to match the pillow-shams.
Persons who cling to old-fashioned
ideas retain their fondness for Marseil-
les quilts, and always use them, while
others have the bed dressed up to cor
respond with the surroundings.
Spreads and pillow coverings are used
in antique, point, guipure, and Noting
ham laces, lined with color to CORES
pond with the room, and, although
very pretty, can not compare with
those of fine, thin muslin or linen cam
brio. A beautiful set, comprising COW
eringS for bed, bureau, and Washstand,
was made of the finest linen cambria.
Most exquisitely hand-embroidered in
the center of the spread was mono
gram eighteen inches square, while the
whole surface outside of this was COW
cred with bouquets of flowers. All
around was tiuted ruffie an eighth of
yard in depth, edged with real Val
enciennes lace.
All the articles correspond with this,
only the embroidery was regular in
size according to the piece upon which
it was placed. The lining was pale
pink satin. To keep these laundried
is considerable of an item, but the deli
cate beauty where expense is not an
object would amply compensate for any
outlay. Elegant spreads are of satin,
hand embroidered, edged with lace, bat
are almost priceless, and most magnif-
cent are the Turkish ones with their
delicate embroidery. These are edged
with heavy silk fringe combining all
the colors.
Some of the new table napkins are
three-quarters of a yard square. These
large sizes are designed for protecting
the ladies dresses at dinner. The mon
ogram is now placed III the center, in
stead of on one corner Embroidered
doylies are used for dessert. The
| Dresden pattern in colored silks is
lovely, and many of the simple etching
| designs for ordinary use are pretty and
| artistic. They are quite moderate in
| price, while the embroidered ones range
from $40 to $50 per dozen.
The correct form is to set lunch ia
| bles Without cloths, but this, of course,
necessitates handsome polished table
top. Those who prefer to have some
thing spon the board use satin or
damask cloth, one yard square, heavily
fringed, in the center. Upon this are
placed the fruit, flowers, and bonbons,
while the plates, glasses, ETC., are ar
ranged upon the outside polished bor-
| der. For dinner it is covered entirely
over, and many novel coverings are in
troduced. -Bro0klyn Eagle.