The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-09-12
NEW DESIGNS IN TABLE LINENS

The newest designs in table linen are
beautiful and astistic and in general like
decorations in all departments of the
household this season, somewhat larger
than heretofore. Among the choicest
may be named the ash-leaf pattern, the
corn flower, large clusters and vines of
wild roses, the red clover, leaf aud bios
som, large lozenges, clusters of lily-of
the valley and great pond lilies floating
on fine satin damask surface, all of
natural size. Some handsome plain-sur.
face cloths were shown with a large
medallion center and border to match.
Others were entirely without decorations,
except deep border representing a wav-
ing satin ribbon or succession of fine
satin lines. The cheaper grades of cloths
are good aud firm and in artistic pat
terms, while the satin damasks are things
of beauty.
For lunch and tea cloths, the delicate
colored spreads are still used and are
shown in exceedingly rich patterns. The
pink, blue, straw, buff, ecru and pea
green covers are either fringed or deep
ly hemstitched. Some are hand-em-
broidered in wide patterns on perfectly
plain grounds, others display several
lO"o VI hlCAiSdh WOAhs TUT lut
stitched borders the hem is two inches
wide, and for the napkins accompany
ing the set, one inch IN width.
We may glance at the elegant silk
warp linens which are among the most
beautiful fabrics yet SHOWN. Here is
delicate but decided salmon colored
spread richly covered with Egyptian de-
signs of sphinxes, obelisks, pyramids and
other strange shapes, each standing out
plainly from the brilliant ground. A
gorgeous orange cover has large floral
patterns with doves flying among the
flowers. A rose-color cloth has rustic
border of wheat and for get.me-nots
drawn with artistic accuracy, and a
pretty amber cloth is crowded With
dancing figures of nymphs and other
graceful figures, while still another rep
resents scenes in Roman chariot-race,
OF course for many elegant luncheons
the center-pieces alone are used. These
are shown in all the styles and colors
mentioned for covers, and among the
newest are those which are nearly COW
cred with the open work embroidery.
When the center-piece is used, the re-
mainder of the table, to the depth Of
eight or ten inches, is handsomely
banked with flowers and ferns.
Among the most serviceable and, at
the same time, the newest center-pieces,
doilies, and carving cloths are those
which are finished in the German Spach-
tel work. This is strong embroidery
on the linen which, being cut out, leaves
handsome, durable, open-work en-
broidery, This embroidery is favorite
ornamentation, and appears on bed
spreads and pillow shams, as well.
Napkins are of the usual sizes and
match the cloths and center-pieces with
which they are to be used. But the
+doilies, whether for finger-bowls or or.
binary tea-doilies. are exquisite works
of art. They are in great variety and
one looks for their pretty designs, at
grand luncheon, with as much interest
as for the choice china which the hos
tess displays. Some are mere scraps of
white, pink, blue, buff or green satin
damask, with single pond lily, rose or
daffodil spray stamped on their smooth
surface and with fringed borders. Then
there are the squares of fine linen lawn,
a mere breath of fabric, hemstitched
or embroidered in delicate pink or blue
scallops with small eyelet hole in each
scallop, Others are of fine white or
cream-china silk, ,hemsttched or fringed,
and painted with bits of color taken
from Japanese fans-here an odd flower,
there a mandarin or a strange foreign
scene. Or you may choose faint shade
of pink or blue faille and, after finishing
it nicely with a hemstitched border,
paint quiet bit of landscape with few
dainty touches, in monotone if you
please, or a sea view, snow scene, or a
branch with bird or birds in any pos.
sible arrangement, and you will have
set of doilies for which the dealer char
ges five dollars per dozen, delight to
the eyes of your guests. Will they wash !?
Judge for yourself.-Good Housekeep-
ina.