Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-12-17
P~ILLOw-sHAMs OF PLUSH.

A magnificent set of shams and
spread for Il bed are made OF cardinal
plush. embroidered with shenille and
floselle. In the center is an elaborate
monogram in high relief, done in three
shades of old gold iiloselle, each letter
in a different shade. The letters form
a classic design, and are outlined with
gold cord. From the fancy turns in
the letters there are sprays of clematis,
done in soft, ~pearl-colored floss. with
leaves shaded as in autumn. On the
upper branch is perched a humming-
bird, which is wonderfully executed.
The ~variegated feathers on the breast
are wrought with two shades of flo
selle-red and brown-which makes
spread is intended to hang over the
foot of the bed. and is ornamented
with & broad chain of heavy chenille
embroidery, representing the curious,
rope-iike branches of the cac-
tus." bearing upon the tips of It's joint
ed arms large blossoms OF white and
pink. Inc white cactus has a star in
the center, and the stems are a bronze
green with the younger ones clearly
Indicated b. the difference in the shad-
in%. The buds are correctly Initiated,
and the broken ends Of the branches
have the dried appearance seen il live
specimens. The stems are eInbroi-
+! dered i'll No. , chenille and have the
natural ridges. while the thorns are
admirably initiated III cid gold ii .oselle.
The pink and white U~raEcnes are scpa-
rated by raised disks aud y~ariegaled
plush. ranging from light to dark red.
The disks are il hl!f-re!ief, and are
outlined with heavy gold cord. The
| piilow-shams have enlarged branches
of the pink cactus on each one, with
butterflies lowering around. Both shams
aEd spread are lined with pink satin.
and have the edges finished with &
heavy cardinal chenille and gold cord,
with large loops ut the corners.
There was once a liking for notified
rag carpets, because they were the re-
spectacle offspring of Industry and
economy. Il pair OF progenitors seldom
seen in this generation. A. present
rag carpets and rugs are the charm OF
studios, and happy is the master of the
brush aud palette who is possessed OF
a sufficiency of these soft, neutl al-hued
floor coverings. Rag-rugs, woven in
the same irregular mixture of colors as
OF old, are also among the choice pos
sessions of ladies of exacting tastes.
Cut and sew together the pieces OIL
inch-wide strips LETT from ~fiannels and
caShmeres, with gray scraps OF silk and
old bits of rumpled ribbon. Intermin.
gle these irregularly, so that, when
they are Owe together, the silk will
give a pretty shine to the fabric. The
ends of the strips are Tapped wheI
sewed, and the rugs are lined with
linen sacking, and may be turned when
the exposed side shows evidence Of
wear. 4 short, straight fringe of wool
en- yarn, with a few threads of sill
drawn into it. borders each end o.
these precious rugs. which are valued
equally with Turkish.
Ladies who possess a quantity of ole
coiored silk, or can beg it from theil
less industrious friends, are cutting i
into strips and sewing them together
These they wind into balls and send
to the rag carpet weaver to be woyer
into strips for draperies or for the low,
er quarter or third part OF portieres
which are made ofsik or cotton, plush
billiard cloth, felt, or other plain dri
perry goods. The effect OF the silker
rag-wrouglit material is beautiful DE
You'd belief. Sometimes strips of i
axe thrown over chairs, couci.es. etc.
and the harmony thai may be produced
by these domestic fabrics Is Il kecn de
light to many persons.