Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1891-12-11
THE VERMONT PHOENIX, BRATTLEBORO, FRIDAY, DECEM



An infinite variety of dainty bits of
work is possible when you enter the field
of linen supplies. Tray cloths bread and
cake covers, centre-pieces for the table,
doilies, bureau covers, towels, beautfed
with drawn work or embroidery of various
kinds, make most acceptable gifts. A de-
scription of one table square will suffice
for work of this class. Take square of
fine sheeting linen of the desired size and
closely button-hole a small scallop around
it, the depth of the button-hoe an eighth
of an inch in the centre and gradually mar
rowing at the sides of the sCallop About
an inch from the edge is stamped braid
ing pattern, which is couched with heavy
strand, about eight threads of Write EN-
broidery cotton, crossed with a color at in
tervals of about an eighth of an inch.
The strand should be long enough to 90
around the entire pattern, as it is difficult
to join neatly but when necessary it may
best be joined in point of the design
After the COUGHING is finished the deco
ration begins in point russo stitches, that
is, three stitches quarter of an inch long
forming fan shape, placed at intervals
around the outer edge of the design On
the inner edge small shell shapes are made.
The style of the design may suggest great
variety of stitches, such as herring bone,
feather, and cat stitches small scattered
seed stitches and cross stitches. Simple
patterns are best for this work
a pretty little powder bag may be made
of China silk, any color you fancy, though
white is best suited for the purpose. The
bag should measure five inches in length
and four in breadth; put a hem an inch
deep at the top, fastened down with
double row Of feather stitching about half
an inch apart. Through this casing run a
narrow ribbon. Fill the bag with Lubin's
powder, or plain cornstarch if for infants
The powder Sits easily through the silk
when rubbed on the skin, and is very
agreeable after bathing
\ dainty bonbon box, made from heavy
water-color paper and filled with confcc-
tionery, is an acceptable gift that may be
utilized afterward for the toilet table as a
box for trinkets or hairpins. Cut TRAN
| gle with the three sides equal and Of five
inches in length. On each of the sides
make a triangle of like dimensions. The
result is large triangle with the sides 10
inches in length. Fold over the three tr-
angles upon the original triangle as "A base
Fold over the points and fasten the sides
together with narrow ribbons. The sides
may be decorated with Christmas notices.
sprays of flowers, etc. The covers Of the
! box may he folded inside, or may be ar
ranged to have the outer one tie at the
! point.
| Glove holders may he made of the long
rush baskets, lined with quilted or plain
satin with a little sachet powder sprinkled
/ on bit of wadding underneath. Tie rib
| bons on the handles
/ A needle-case that will he an ornamental
! convenience in a guest chamber is made as
| follows: Take half yard of ribbon three
/ inches wide. Cut two circles of paste
| board each an inch or an inch and a half
! in diameter, and cover them on both sides
4 with part of the ribbon. Hem the ribbon
] at iIlN tilh anu oNN IL " Nht wv NliNitos
! placing one at each edge of the ribbon and
sewing but halfway round each circle so
/ as to form pocket at the end of the rib
/ bon. Fringe the other end, fold it over on
the right side for three inches and catch it
with fine silk across the top. thus forming
a sheath through which to pass ribbon to
suspend it by. Button-hole with white
silk a piece of flannel five and half inches
long and not quite the width of the ribbon.
Place this midway between the spool pOck-
ct and the fringe, fastening it to the ribbon
with bows of narrow white ribbon. \
tiny pocket for thimble and one for a pa
per of needles may be added, and a spool
of black and of white thread placed in the
bag.
These are a few hints, but no doubt
they will suggest many other dainty things
which we would not have space even to re-
fer to-. One thing for the Christmas giyer
to remember is that a present is much
more attractive to the recipient if daintily
wrapped. White tissue paper is not costly,
but it gives a parcel the true holiday ap-
pearance, and this will be greatly enhanced
by tying the package with narrow white
ribbon.
Failing Like Autumn Leaves.