Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-12-25
USEFUL FANCY WORK.
Conventional Embroidery Patterns Sup
planted by Ancient Designs.

/ conventional Embroidery Patterns Sup
planted by Ancient Designs.
OF course different women take TO"
different kinds OF work, according to
the motive power that impels them;
but it is observed that the majority
devote time to ornamental articles for
the home rather than to those for per-
sonal adornment Linen still holds
the popularity which it attained some
years ago as ground work for elabo-
rate embroidery, and with very good
reason, for nothing lasts so well, and
will therefore so well reward the
worker. Drawn work is losing moth
ing in favor, Notwithstanding the hue
and cry that has been raised as to its
injury to the eyes. With very fine
work this objection will doubtless
hold goodi but it is certain
that the majority of the work
done-is no more trying than any other
kind of needle-work, and that the best
effects are not gained by the finest
work, Indeed, quite coarse linen with,
deftly-executed simple pattern, Is
preferred for nearly all household uses
toilet and table covers, napery and
the like. Drawn work strips, alternat-
ed with strips Of India silkss make
pretty chair and sofa backs, sash cur
tains, etc.
Another kind OF work very much
liked for napery, as well as ornamental
articles, is the Queen Anne darned
work, which possesses the added at
traction of being very quickly execut-
ed. This embroidery is done by TAX
ing the stitches irregularly or by leav-
ing an equal number of threads with
those on the needle in the alternate
rows. The stitches are also sometimes
taken diagonally Or in hexagonal
form, either of which will produce
good results, Sometimes the design
is merely outlined and the entire
background filled with darning stitches,
or the design may be darned and the
background leftplain The latter, how
ever only looks well when the pattern
covers the greater part of the material.
When the pattern is darned in it is fire.
quently outlined with contrasting
shade. Darned work is very durable
If wash silks or the elegant new flax
threads are used in its execution, but
to work with non-washable silk upon
linen is a pure waste of time.
The old Scandinavian, Russian and |
German designs are closely crowding
the conventional patterns that have so
long held the ground. The taste of
these early European embroiderers ran
most to the delineation of stays, boars,
cocks and the like, introduced into |
bold scroll patterns. The brute or the
bird is left in relief in the natural tint
of the linen, the ground being filed |
Withdrawing stitches. A simple pattern,
and one which is very effective, is a
border Of conventionalized oak leaves,
outlined with green upon unbleached
linen, the ground being darned in with
russell silks Another pretty design is
Of orange leaves and blossoms where
the outlines are done in chain stitch,
and the fruit, leaves and blossoms
filed in with coarsely-wrought net
work This is appropriate only for
articles that are seldom washed. Some
Jealous workers have undertaken to
copy the ancient Nuremberg embroid-
cries which closely resemble pen and
nix drawing; but it. is serious tax
upon the eyesight, and it is not desir-
able to carry it to any extent on that
The same effect can be OBJ
aimed with pen and indelible ink on
inen. and at one-tenth the labor.--
Dl o.. .J.IaLf. n..-..g !.