Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-02-01
THE HOUSEHOLD.
Family Mending.

wide field in woman work. Some general
directions can be given for it, but each
woman must study we'll the best way to
prolong the usefulness and appearance
of the article she desires to renew, be-
fore taking it in hand. When sheets
show age by splitting they will last
longer ii torn down the middle, the sell
raw edges hemmed. This puts seam
up the center, matter of small incon-
venience. To over-seam, hold the two
edges even over the fore6nger, and whip
together:
When blankets grow thin, and begin
to give way, it is scarcely worth while to
mend them. Several such tackled to-
gether, and quilted into cotton or
woollen case, make an excellent cover
let. To quilt, divide into diamonds by
drawing diagonal lines crossing each
other, and stitch on the machine, or ran
by hand, taking care the stitches go
through and through.
Marseilles quilts must be patched by
darning the patch with unturned edges.
Towels are often patched with scraps
of old ones.
Tablecloths break first in the middle
where the two folds cross. 1t is some
times expedient to transfer to such
place a center cat from an old napkin,
and darn the edges without turning
Such patch makes an excellent appear
ance, and is worth the trouble in hand
some cloth.
omake over carpets, spread them
upon the floor they are intended to
best hidden. The widths next the walls
are usually least Worn, and can be sub
stituted for the middle. Parts ofwidths
can be cut out and patches put in, but
straight edges only can be used, cutting
with the lines of the warp. Take good
seams on the wrong side. sewing to-
gether with coarse linen thread, waxed.
! OF course in sewing the widths together
the edges are whipped. Worn car
pets can also be turned into rugs by
| sewing together the best widths. These
are much beautitied by adding a border
mitered at the corners. To inter, GU:
where the fold comes in turning the
corner, and sew together the bias edges.
Much trouble is saved in mending
childrens clothes if the knees and seats
of boys trousers. and the elbows of
| jackets and girls waists, are made
double. It is also economical in the
end to buy material sufficient FOR two
pairs of sleeves for every day clothes.
When Wristbands are burst and but
tonholes torn out, put on new bands of
twilled cotton, and work the button
holes with coarse thread, making the
ends especially strong.
Mems clothing can be cut down adj
vantageously for boys. First rip up and
clean. There are many preparations put
up by druggists that are much more eff
fective in taking out grease than home
recipes. After pressing lay the patterns
out thoughtfully, and cut with as little
waste as possible. Large pieces left
can be joined together to line the waists
of wrappings for smaller children.
Such alterations are only repaid when
clothing is not very badly worn.
The wear of mems shirts can be
heightened by new wrist and collar
bands, mending the buttonholes, and
darning where the bosom breaks from
the shirt. Such darning is hidden by
the vest. All starch must be washed out
first.
Dresses can be renovated by trimming
with new contrast goods, plain with
mixed or plaid, or solid colors that COM
bine we'll. A child's dress remade in
the present style could have q yoke Of
contrasting color upon the waist, which
would hide a soiled front; straight
band let in the skirt to lengthen; o
belt to lengthen waist, and a puff at the
top or cuff at the bottom to lengthen
sleeve. Let out the seam under the arm
to increase the breadth. After letting
out seams dampen and press.
Prepared dyes are used at home with
complete success, and a wonderful
amount of doing over they make posi-.
BILE. Everything will dye black that will
dye at all, and black dress is always
useful, genteel and unobstrusive.-G00d
Housekeeping.
Housekeepers' Helps.
To FUMIGATE house, burn in it sui
phur or tar; then whitewash and paint.
IT is said that snufing powdered borax
up the nostrils will cure catarrhal
cold.
Books and pictures, in intelligent
families, now rank next to bread and
butter
DRY cellar is downright luxury
especially if it is filled with the winter S
coal.
r GOOD way to take cod liver oil, to
5 make it palatable, is by putting it into
! tomato catsup.
! By using soda water as wash you can
clean ceilings that have been smoked by
t kerosene lamp.