Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-12
Written for The EVENING srAn.
ATTRACTIVE HOMES
Some Suggestions on the Question of
Portieres.


Portieres.
How PRETTY HASGISos CAN BE MADE OF NATE
RAILS OF LITTLE COSTA PoRrrEuE MADE FROM
HoNEsPUS BLASKET-DEsIsSs FOB MONTE
CLOTH, GIMP AND sHKE-ISe.
The heavy portieres that have been summer
ing in cedar chests or have been secluded in
newspaper wrappings now emerging and
filling the air with the pungency of carnphor
ana other preventives Of the devastating moth.
Happy Is the housewife who finds no inroads
have been made by the destroyer. Especially
happy is she II the hangings are enriched IN
any way with any of her own work, for every
one naturally desires a permenency in her
efforts at identifying her home. A portiere IS
a large thing to attempt, but without aiming
70 emulate the exquisite work one sometimes
sees at art societies, which represent artistic
sklA and much labor. many good effects may
De achieved / will try and describe some of
TIE unique portieres have seen or heard of, as
suggestions for rousing the ambition Of some
home artist
FOR BED ROOM DOOR.
The first that comes to mind is hanging for
q bed room door that is very pretty and suita-
bic for Its position. The foundation is q home
spun blanket, which was presented as family
relic" to young lady, who resolved to make
something more than a mere bed covering OF
II. At thc top was embroidered funny little
nall wreath OF flowers III pink and green woods,
with the initials of the qUondam owner This
gave enough color to maze pink the shade de-
eided on as the tone for the ornamentation.
The top with this monogram and flowers was
turned over for a valance. some ten inches
deep. At the hem of the valance coarse but
tOnnOle stitch was worked with heavy pink
lax thread. Into the loops thus made we're
tled large rings, crOcneted around with
the pink flax thread, and into the
rings were tied lengths OF the thread, making
tarsels. At Intervals over the portiere were
powered figures somewhat resembling princes
feather III shape, cut from fax velour OF an
Old pink color. These were couched down with
The coarsest Japanese gold thread that could
be gotten. This was quickly done and very
snowy, while the strictly conventional treat
ment made 1t more striking and appropriate
than any following of natural forms would
have done. The selvedges were lett as the
hnlsh at the sides of the portiere, while the
same narrow hdnd-sewed hem. put in when it
Was new, still served the finish at the bot
tom The tassels make a graceful supplement
10 the valance. Tie expense of this was a
tribe, and the work, as have said quickly ac-
compllshed.
PoETIERE OF BCRLAP.
Burlap has been used now and then, often
with excellent effect. An artist made portiere
its surroundings. The buriap was laid on a
bare Moor as the first step and nailed at inter-
walls, 10 keep II well stretched. It was then
gwen coat OF burnt sienna house paint. Be
TORE palnung deep fringe was made at top
and bottom b. ravehng the material To give
heavier effect rope was rayeled also and tied
In at given space, and to make it hang well
cash was knotted al the END OF the strands
This cash is II Chinese coin of almost infinitesi-
mai value, which can be bought in quantities
n etc ~ a.
turned over balsncewise, with this weighted
fringe as a finish. A wide band of brown
velveteen was put above the fringe 81 the top
and bottom. and on these bands as ornamentl-
non were straw woven dlsks-really Chinese
table mats to put under dishes. This, too, was
very inexpensive affair, but decidedly unique
and picturesque
FOUNDED ON sHEETISG.
A portiere, which produced a warm and
golden effect, had for its foundation white boil
ton sheeting. This was crossed Tor nearly half
Its depths by bands of yellow yelveteen. The
bands were inches wide and the spaces be-
tween about inches. Upspringing from the
bottom were chrysanthsmums worked iii linen
Hoses, which looks so silky and handsome. in
al the tones OF yellow and some browns to give
Character. The flowers were naturally treated.
utrather scant as to number and worked soiId
rs well as their somewhat ragged stems. The
whole thing was beautiful, but more work than
pcOp4t WISH 10 put on one article. A
pretty modification might be made from this
Port.ere with less work and expense involved
Use the same bolton sheeting for the curtain
Itself; then tor the bands use blue denim The
white stripes between should be worked with
FAX thread in a dull blue shade a Greek border
being good design. This can be quickly done in
either COUGHING. for which the heavy fax
thread is very suitable, or in outline simply.
Outlining Is monotOnous for any one who does
much embroidery of moie pretentious STYLES
m IN ma rf.r1ra 70 rt..~la
their possibilities, and really would look very
well In this case. The yellow and white por-
there was lined with buff Saline. This could be
lined with the denim more suitably than with
anything else. Still another way to turn denim
TO account as a door hanging is to have the
portiere of this material, with a band of cut
work IN cream white, put on as a frieze. As a
finish TO this-the sole ornament of the cur
tain-a deep fringe of cream white cord can
be tied IN. but instead OF leaving il to fall
loosely a fringe braid a number of strands
together. knOtting them at the end, thus leay-
ing little tassel at the end of each braid.
MONTE CLOTH AND GIMP.
Still another method for portiere Of home
manufacture is one quite successfully carried
out by young lady with materials of compare
lively small cost The curtains, for in this
case there were two at double doors. were OF
olive monte cloth. For frieze, wide gimp,
such as used to edge curtains, was made the
principal ingredient, as 1t were. This was ap-
Piled IN curyIng forms to the monte cloth with
coarse button-hOle stitch in different colored
crewels. The curves left oval spaces at inter-
walls which were filed IN with lace stitch with
the crewels. all done in a coarse but effective
way. From the lower edge of this frieze a
deep fringe hung made Of strands of coarse wool
braided and tied III a tassel at the lower end
The gimp edged the curtains too, and the shade
Of red in this contrasted prettily with the olive
ground work. IL all had something the effect
Of Indian work or Of the Algerian hangings
brought TO this country.
INITIATING JAPANESE WORK.
The portieres made in imitation of the bead
japanese ones are rather new and very cheap
and easily made. Strong cord is cut into
lengths long enough for the desired portiere.
Bamboo rods are cut into two-inch bits and
wooden button moUlds OF good size provided.
These last should be colored in various gay
shades with oil paints. The bamboo is strung
onto the cord, several pieces in succession then
bright button mould is put on; then the bam-
boo again, and so until the cord is full, when
knot In the end keeps 1t secure. Large glass
beads highly colOred sometimes inserted
also. Children, with their fondness for bead
stringing. might be made useful in getting up
hanging of this kind, and 1t would be an en-
tertaInment for some stormy winter day when