Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-20

PRETTY CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.
Things Which Can be Quickly and In
| extensively Made at Home.
The last few days before Christmas are often
very trying ones in household where good
many small presents have to be given, and the
list Of suitable or available ones has been ex-
hausted and Q few more are needed. Espe-
cially is this the case where resources are lim-
tied and the memory Of Q special friend hobs
up serenely who has been overlooked and
must be remembered. Then it il ingenuity il
needed and needed mighty badly. Any Of the
following suggestions can be easily carried
out and prove not only . saving grace, but .
| very acceptable present.
PRETTY AND USEFUL BAGS.
There is great fancy for bags Just now, and
they are shown by scores in fancy stores. Gre
tonne or gayly-fgured India silk and fouIard,
made like an old-fashioned purse, the opening
/ in the middle, the ends gathered under ro-
sette or ribbon bow with rings and chain like
those on school bags, only smaller, are favor
ite fad for holding busters, and are hung in
chamber, parlor or sitting.room. as the case
may be. These bags should be lined with q
solid color in one Of the tints Of the material.
Three-quarters Of yard Of material is enough
for the largest size; the usual width IL eighteen
| inches. nine when the bag is sewed up.
Small bags, imitation purses, and little
! cushions edged with chenille are pretty de-
| signs for sachets which even small girls may
make, while another easily achieved result is q
bag, II inches long and wide, made Of silk or
strips of ribbon sewed together fringed at
top, filed with perfumed cotton or with an
inner cushion Of fir balsam twigs, tied at top
with ribbons and hung as head-rest on a
favorite chair. The case may be embroidered
IL one likes, but is equally pretty made Of fig
ured India silk.
DAINTY sAcHEr
and handkerchief case combined may be made
from . silk kerchief. Lay cotton batting on
half the handkerchief and sprinkle with sachet
powder. Put layer of cotton over this, and
fold the other half Of the kerchief to cover it.
Sew the edges together; feather-stitch all round;
catch cotton and silk together with embroidery
silk, as comfortable is done, and put feather
stitching through the center the shortest way.
The case will now resemble an open book with
out leaves. Sew ribbons on the sides for tying.
II you like, before the sachet is made, you can
embroider initials, monogram, or q fancy de-
sign, upon the part of the kerchief which is to
form the top of the case when shut.
Another handkerchief case can be made by
cutting two pieces Of pasteboard six inches
square; divide one piece into four parts diago-
nally; cover each piece on the outside with the
two shades Of plush, which should be pre-
viously stitched together, and the under side
with satin. the same shade Of the pink. Cover
the square piece on one side with the terra
Gotta plush and the other with the satin. The
top and bottom are to be joined with puff Of
the satin four inches in width. This should be
double, 20 that the satin face may be inside 20
well az out. bow Of satin ribbon Of the two
shades il fastened on the top to open 1t by. A
glove case can be made in the same manner to
accompany 1t II desired.
NEWSPAPER HoLDRB
ID convenient and easily made; for this you
will need one yard of the straw mating which
comes around tea boxes, and which erocsrs are
willing to give away, or, at the most to sell for
few cents. With this you viii want half
yard Of Turkey red and yards Of gay ribbon,
an inch wide. The mating is bound all round
with a broad band of Turkey red-then the
lower edge is turned up about Is inches and
fastened in place by strips Of the ribbon sewed
rated with rosettes and bows-rings are Sc
curely sewed to its upper corners and it IL
hung by these on the wall
VERY USEFUL ARTICLE.
For mamma or auntie, . housewives girdle
is pretty gift. 1t is made Of satin ribbons Of
different lengths, Of any color, or Of two con-
tracing cOlors, suspended from q pretty bow
which Is to be pinned to the belt. From one
Of these ribbons is suspended tiny pair Of
scissors; from another q strawberry emery
cushions from another satin-covered needle
book; from fourth a thimbIe case and from
the fifth . pansy pincushion Of purple and
yellow plush. For q lady who attends . sewing
circle, this is very dainty present.
UTILIZING GRAPE BASKETS.
A novel work basket IL made from one Of the
smsll-handled baskets which contain five
pounds Of grapes. Place layer of wadding
over the outside to smooth away all inequali-
ties, and cover with bronze morocco; line the
inside first with wadding, and then with silk Of
little pockets Of silk inside for thimble, needle
case, spools, &C., and tie Q bow Of ribbon on
the handle after covering 1t neatly with the
morocco.
WHAT LITTLE BOT CAN MAKE.
Akey and button-hook rack is q pretty and
useful little gift which boy can make out of q
couple Of clothes-pegs. Stick them together
in the shape Of an T. screw three little brass
hooks into them; gid or paint them some
pretty color, and tie to the top ends q ribbon
Of the same shade to suspend them by; In this
hook rack a. could be asked for, all for very
little work and the cost Of . few cents.
WORK FOB LITTLE GIRLS.
While the big girls are spending all their en-
srgy and taste in beautiful work the little ones
can do something too. A needle-case il some
thing that would suit for mamma, sister, or
even papa when of on . trip, or brother,
away at q school To make one, take pretty
piece Of ribbon six inches long and three
wide. Hem it across the ends. Cut Q couple
Of pieces Of cardboard for each end q little
larger than the spool you are going to use in
it. Cover these with q piece Of the ribbon.
Basic them together and overland them at the
ends. Sew little piece Of pinked-out flannel
for the needles and q loop and button to keep
it together. A ribbon six inches long fastened
to each side or ends when rolled up makes 1t
handy to hang It up when not in use. II you
haven't any wide ribbon, you can make it of
linen or flannel and bind 1t with narrow ribbon.