The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-29
CHRISTMAS IS COMING.
Tho Midnight Oil is Burning
and the Needle is Fly
ing Fast.
Choice GIFTS that May be Made
at Homo by Fingers
Deft

Gsaereus Hearts Evidsnced by Good
Will and Not ~ Costly Presents
Some Designs.
In the matter Of homemade "Christmas
Rifts," good mother, don't despair! The
ingenious woman will have no difficulty in
fashioning any number Of little things
which, IL suited to the needs OF. taste, will
be sure to be welcome, says the New York
News.
A friend of the writer has just made a
ha ndy-bag,'' to be suspended by rings to
the inside of the closet door. The material
was blue denim; the edges were bound with
cardinal worsted braid. The dimensions
Of the fat part or foundation of the bag
were about four feet by two and half.
Upon this were mounted pockets of various
sizes. The lower one was wide and deep,
and was labeled patterns in outline stitch
with red cotton. Others were for shoes,
rubbers, slippers, papers, string, linen, cot
ton and sundries. The top was cut in deep
points. to each Of which was sewn q brass
ring to hang it by. It was. in fact, an en-
larged shoe-baR, which every woman knows
how to make. The cost was trifing, but it
is safe to say that the recipient Of this
useful bag will bless the giver every day
throughout the coming year.
The changes have been rung indefinitely
on all manner of bags, big and little, orna-
mental and sturdily useful. until every one
has unlimited suggestions on this point.
Why repeat them?
Very much the same thing may be said Of
cushions, although there are fashions in the
latter. One of the latest of these is the
1oseleaf pillow (illed with dried rose
leaves). A charming cover for one Of these
silk, upon which is mounted piece Of bolt
ing cloth painted with q design of roses.
The mounting is done with fancy stitches
in pink silk. A handsome bow of ribbon at
one corner is pretty addition. A little pot
pourri mixture scattered through the rose
leaves is an Improvement.
Another new cushion is the slumber ball,
which is made of ribbons sewn together, or
of silk or velvet, or in fact any sort of soft
material. The size is eleven inches long and
twenty-seven inches wide. Gather the
ends of the ribbons or what not closely to-
used for the purpose-down is the best:
next is feathers of good quality. Finish the
ends with pompons or bows.
pair Of bedroom or invalid slippers with
looped Innings could hardly fail to be accep-
table unless one is already supplied. The
directions for crocheting these are copied
from Demorest's Magazine:
The material required is wool in two col
ors and felt soles. The slipper is worked
from the toe, in ribbed rows, back and
forth, in single crochet, taking each stitch
up from the back Of the one in the preced-
same time. which, in this instance, was
worked of dark blue and light blue wool.
Begin with the darkest wool and work nine
teen chain, and crochet four rows (Which
will make two ribs, working three stitches
in the center each time going back, which
increase Of stitches is repeated in every re-
turn row that is worked with the dark blue
WOOL, while the forward rows are worked
with the light wool, and in this the
looped lining is worked. Crochet, how
ever the ts S.. Two oo,s and - the last I've
wool, 90 as to have 9 dark band
next to the sole. For the loops at the back
after every stitch pass the wool over and
around an ivory knitting needle. With
eighteen dark blue ribs, or thirty six rows
CHE last row should !i,,I number fifty-si1
is reached, and the narrowing side-pieces
begin. The first row for each side-piece,
numbering sixteen rows, or eight ribs,
counts eighteen stitches; the last, four,
which leaves fourteen stitches on the inner
edge h hs egg of tes bsPRse i finished s
the dark wool with a single short crochet
between each. For the Topped lining Of
the sole crochet piece of the shape in the
light wool, only taking up the stitches in
front 90 as not to make it ribbed. When
the sole is lined sew the slipper to it. and
heel. and finish with pompon.
The same journal. gives also suggestions
for convenient writing board, which can
be made at q very trifiing outlay Of money
and work. It ia. q plain wooden board,
nty-three by eighteen inches, and can
cred with dark-blue cloth, though any color |
or material can be used, and the various
pockets are Of the same fastened down with
fancy braas-headed nails. In the center ID
the blotting-pad, held in place BY triangu-
lar pieces Of leather or cloth. A straight
nails, holds the paper knife, penholder,
pencil and pencil shafpener. Next to the
inkstand (Which is leather-covered trav-
cling inkstand glued on. or held in place BY
piece Of leather or CLOTH ie q calendar,
and on the opposite. side PEN
iet may also b atted With cloth
flaps at each end to fold over and en-
tirely cover the top when not in use, or to
cover any work which may be left upon it.
Good Housekeeping has also directions
for number Of inexpensive. useful and
splasher. To make this take three palm-
leaf fans, and in oils tint them according to
the col0ring of the bedroom. If blue. for
one side almost pure Prussian blue, dark,
rich and deep. the next paint soft bright
blue, for ~, rhicn mig t; White, emerald green,
Make the third a pale blue. using the same
cOlors, only more white. Tie tho three fans