The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1889-01-24
THE HOUSEHOLD.
Family Mending.


Repairing andsmae ending over cover
wide field in w oman's work. Some general
directions Cam 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 il torn down the middle, the sell
wage sides over-seamed together, and the
raw edges hemmed- This puts q seam
up the center, matter of small incon-
venience. To over-seam hold the two
edges even over the forefnger, 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 quihed 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 run
by hand, taking care the stitches go
through and through.
Marseilles quilts must be patched by
darning the patch with unfurned edges.
Towels ale often patched with scraps
of odd ones.
Tablecloths break first i'm the middle
where the. two folds cross. 1t is some
TIMES expedient to transfer to such a
place a center cut from an old napkin,
auad darn the edges without turning.
Such patch makes AN excellent appear
ance, and is worth the trouble liza hand
some cloth.
To make over carpets, spread them
upon the floor they are intended to
cover, and seeswhere worn places cam be
best hidden. The widths next the walls
are usually least worn, and can be sub
stituted for the middle. Parts of widths
cam be cut out and patches put ia, 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 cam also be turned into rugs by
sewing together the best widths. These
are much beautifed by adding a border
mitered at the corners. To inter, cut
where the fold comes i'm turning the
corner, and sew together the bias edges.
Much trouble is saved in mending
children's clothes if the knees and seats
of boys trousers, and the elbows of
jackets and girls waists, are made
double. 1t 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 ad-
vantageously for boys. First rip up and
clean. There are many preparations put
hv 6ryy ictC + hat h Of
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 yoke Of
contrasting color upontthe waist, which
would hide a soiled front; a straight
band let in the skirt to lengthen; a
belt to lengthen waist, and puff at the
top or cuff at the bottom to lenethen
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 wonderful
am ounttof doing over they make posi-
bic. Everything will dye black that will
dye at all, and black dress is always
useful, genteel and unobstrusiye.-G