Morning journal and courier., 1890-05-01
WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH LINEN,

SOme Household Decorations.
 From the New York Tribunel
 During the last decade, which has witt messed the ever increasing rage for household decoration, almost every variety of material has been pressed into the service of orna- mental work, but of late there seems to be a reaction in favor of one of the most an cient known fabrics-linen.
 It would be hopeless within the limits of this article to attempt to describe the many forms in which this beautiful textile ap- pears, from the cobweb daintiness of the linen cambric drawn work handkerchief to the heavy "butcher's linen" portiere; but an account of some pretty pieces of decorative embroidery recently made may be of service to those who are already choosing the fancy of summer leisure.
 First in order is 50 called "tea cloth" intended to cover small table used for five o'clock teas. The material is heavy linen sheeting, two yards and half wide. Three quarters of yard is enough for two cloths. Cut the sheeting in halves and finish the sides with hems quarter of an inch in width. Fringe one end to the depth of six inches and make knotted heading arranged in points. Leave a space of half an inch, then draw threads for an inch and half, leave a second space of half an inch, and draw threads out to the width of an inch and quarter, leave a third space of half an inch, and draw out threads to the width of an inch. Hemstitch both sides of the three spaces with white linen floss, and work in each a different design of punto tirato (drawn work), which may be more or less ela- borate, according to the makers time and fancy. Above the drawn work embroider three rows of circular fringe about the size of three cent piece. These are very quick ly executed, being made with only four stitches, two crossing each other at right an- gles, the other two diagonally. They are set an inch apart, those in the second row midway between the wheels in the first, and those in the third directly over them. The other end of the cover is finished by fringe with straight knotted heading. The center of the plain portion of the linen should have the future owners monogram in long, slender letters.
 A dainty sachet requires only a bis of fine linen, thirteen ikches long and five wide. Both ends are fringed to the depth of an inch, and an inch below threads are drawn out for space of half an inch wide. Both sides are then hemstitched, and the threads ara twisted in the familiar "basket stitch." One-half the plain space remaining is cov- cred with scattered rose petals outlined in pink silk amid which-one word in the up- per left hand corner, and the other in the lower right hand corner-are embroidered in outline stitch the words, Rose Leaves" The sides of the linen are neatly ovsr- scanned, the bag thus formed is filled with dried rose leaves, and through the row of drawn work is slipped pink "baby" ribbon, tied in pretty bow and ends.
 Another of these bags had violets deli cately embroidered in Kensington work ~1A k~tl placed diagonally across, and was tied with violet baby ribbon.
 A set of doyleys which, though not abso- lutely novel in design, attracted much at- tention on the fancy work table of a fair, consisted of moderately coarse white linen, cut in the shape of an oak leaf and finished around the edge with buttonhole stitch. Both the outline and the veining of each leaf were in two shades of a color, the but the half dozen was different-brown, blue, red, green, orange and pink. The effect of the set was extremely pretty.
 In contrast to these pretty trides was @ portiere of coarse ecrue linen, the bottom finished with hem an eighth of yard wide and the top turned over to the width of nine inches, edged with fringe made by ravellins the material to depth of four inches and knottiDg the top. On the plain space, between the fringe and the hem, one of the graceful "Fiaxman" figures was wrought in outline stitch with brown linen floss.
 A handsome "table center" of fine white linen was decorated with wreath of grape leaves whose edges were heavily worked in linen floss, the space within being filled with "bobbinet" The transparent effect was both novel and pretty. This variety of work is done by basting the lace over the stamped design, and after completing the embroidery cutting away the linen with very sharp pair of scissors.
 This center was finished with @ hem- stitched hem two inches wide.
 A very effective table cover can be quickly manufactured of piece of sheeting linen . fringe, which is made by ravelling the linen to the depth of three inches and knotting the top. A row of feather stitching, worked in heavy linen floss, forms heading. Two of the corners diagonally opposite to each other are decorated with three fern leaves, embroidered in outline stitch; one carying toward the left is worked with orange silk, one toward the right with brown, while be. tween the two, interlacing both, is the grace ful maiden hair fern in very pale shade of yellow green. The design in the other two corners is spray of sumach leaves wrought l in crimson silk, dropping toward the right, g spray of acorns and oak leaves in dark brown, extending toward the left, and be. l tween them cluster of rose leaves in light. l CT brown. It would be difficult to produce ! prettier piece of work with the same outlay ! of time, skill and expense.
 must not close without mentioning the latest novelty in linens, the use of color deep blue, dull red and yellow. The dyes are said to be fast, and the effect, when em- broidered with white linen floss, is extreme ly good These linens will be found special ly useful for rooms whose furnishings are expected to stand hard wear. A very hand some covering for sofa pillow in 2 chamber
 was recently made of red, embroidered in
 scroll pattern with white linen floss. It was
 cut large enough to extend an inch beyond
 the pillow, and furnished at each corner
 with narrow bit of linen tepe fastened al
 agonalIy across These tapes were slipped
 over the corners of the pillow and held thu
 cover firmly in place.