The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1889-10-13

neatly sewed by her own hands, and care
fully laupdried by herself. This done,
she is deemed capable of assuming the
responsibility of the wife and house
keeper.
Nowadays it is said that the table
linen manufactured is not of the same
| durability or strength of texture as that
in centuries long past but that assertion
Is generally considered untrue by those
who deal in linen. They claim, and
surely they ought to know, that it is the
undoubted fault of our housewives that
the table linen wears out after year or
two of service.
HOW TO MAKE AND LAUNDER IT.
When the proper attention is bestowed
| upon it, all table linen, whether for
ordinary use or only for important occa-
sions, should be washed before being
made up.
1t is much better to hang it on the line
wet and permitted to drip dry, thus
| avoiding the creases which are so ruinous
to new linen, as they break the fibre of
the CLOTH
While the linen is yet damp it should
be taken from the line and folded several
times, then pulled until all the threads
are perfectly straight. 1t must not be
lroned, and when sufficiently dry can be
hemmed, with the satisfaction of know
ing that the hem will be perfectly
straight.
When table linen is hung upon the line
after being washed it requires great care
to dispose it in such manner as to have
the threads straight.
| Ii allowed to hang loosely, or by one
corner, SO that the wind may make of 1t
| playthlng and whip it about, at will, q
long time and much pulling will be neces-
| sary to Straighten out the cloth, and the
actual damage that has been done the fab
r1c amounts to more than a weeks hard
wear. To make our table cloths look
| graceful and dainty, but little starch
| Snould be put III them, only enough to
make it iron well and showup the pattern
of the linen. All table linen when not in
nse should be dried without starch, loosely
folded and put in q chest where it cannot
be creased.
If the starch is left in the cloth when it
Is put way, especially in warm weather,
1t soon becomes sour and causes dis
agreeable smell to permeate to linen
winch nothing can take away. 1t also
| greatly increases the danger of mildew.
| IRONING, PRICES AND DESIGNS
| Always fold the table cloth lengthwise
| twice when ironing it. Even when first
manner. Then double it, having the ends
even. If not ironed until it is perfectly
| dry and left to air a short time before
| putting away, the gloss which the iron
| has impaired will soon leave it, and,
when placed upon the table, will present
|
that all bleaching preparations injure the
linen.
1t is generally considered better to hem
table linen by hand, although some claim
that it can be equally well done by ma
chine. Nevertheless, the hand work Is
preferred for the finest fabrics, being
much more delicate in appearance. The
hem should be about five-eights of an
inch wide.
The prices of linen have greater range
probably than that of any other material
and almost any amount may be paid for
it. Twenty-Five dollars will buy the very
best table cloth that it is possible to
weave, although $50 may be the price
for exactly the same quality if the pat
tern be new or fashionable.
| In fine linen the fashionable designs
now seen are small sprays, flowers, leaves,
| fruits and vines. The snow-drop pattern,
| which has probably been in use since the
first table cloth was made, is always
pretty and stylish. Game cloths are
| shown in landscape designs, in which are
! the figures of grouse, pheasants, deer or
| partridge. OF course it is always best
| that the napkins should match the cloth.
both in design and texture