The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-06-12
SUMNER FANCY WORK.
Lat'st Fairies and Freshest Designs in Use
Linen Embroidery.
Philadelphia Record.

Never has the use of embroidery for or
namental purposes been so universal as at
the present time. While it cannot be said
that there Is anything absolutely new in
the way of stitches, the old ones are modi-
fed and adapted to new designs and new
fabrics. Ancient methods in the reproduc-
Ing OF patterns and colors softened to
represent the processes of time are revived,
ami quaint tapestries with knights and
msidens, scenes of the chase and mytho-
logical subjects are now embroidered 10
hang on walls as simple panels or
over mantel decorations. Much of
this work is done on canvas.
with the ground entirely filled
In, or plush or velvet. the canvas being
placed over the fabric. and after the needle
work Is done the threads of the canvas
pulled ont one by one. Portieres and cur
taIns are made In this way, the grandiose
designs of the sixteenth century being In
high favor. But we live in q rapid age and
only here and there is to be found a needle
worker with the leisure and patience TO
undertake such a large piece of work as n
tapestry OF solid cr0ss or Gobelin stitches.
and the impatient ones resort to dyes
scrubbed III with stiff bristle brushes TO
form some part of tho design. This is es-
Decialiy used 10 take the place OF stitches
les, the stitches being reserved for coarser
parts of the work.
Embroidery on linen is more then ever
before the fashion. This has been n
notable revival and hos filled many houses
with dainty and beautiful pieces of work
IN this line, meanwhile giving occupation
and employment, either for pleasure or
profit. 10 myriads OF women. What
needle-workers know as German embroid-
cry Is In high favor for table and carving
cloths, ornamental squares, etc. This
work is invariably done in soft cot
ton or linen floss. and the colors used are
red. white and blue. In the matter Of de-
sign one may follow ones own inclination
for anything and every thing Is admissible.
Buffet scarfs are likewise worked In the
same style with washable fakes aud
cottons. The work is not so dainty as
when executed In silks. but il possesses the
advantage OF greater durability.
French renaissance designs are used on
many ten-clotbs and bed spreads. These
show scrolls and arabesques garlands and
suspended baskets of flowers, nosegays and
bow.knots and are executed In satin-s stitch
outline and French knots. The favor,te
fabrics for bed spreads. bedroom curtains.
portieres and table covers is linen, eithe T
white. cream or dull blue, worked with
best when alike, but the designs may be
as varied rs one desires. Crewels are
sometimes used in place of the flax,
especially where the design is to be worked
solidly. a lovely beadspread and curtain
may be SIMPLY and quickly made
inch wide satin ribbon placed six inches
apart. Over each strip of ribbon is placed
an insertion of Irish Ruipure, held in place
by, irregular stitches of silk of the same
guipure finished the edge. Charming cur
tains are made in the same manner.
Novel desIgn for table cloths are bees.
birds. butterflies. ETC., arranged In flights
tvro1 tnrlxr ha al
| The bees are Invariably worked in shades
| of gold and golden brown, with touches
here and there of gold thread. The same
| colors are used for the birds and butter
| piled to napery. and the taste which pre-
| fers to them scrolls or conventional designs
| may be questioned.
| A great variety of doyleys are shown,
and the amount of work bestowed upon
| some of them is appalling notably some
that are entirely of fine drawn work. sep
| arated only by narrow lines of the linen,
/ which is worked in fine feather stitch with
white silk. Others less elaborate show
| sprays of flowers embroidered in colored
| silks, and geometrical patterns executed in
| gold-colored silks or the real gold thread.
| The patterns and colOrs seen on Dresden
| china are also reproduced with the needle
| on some exquisite doyieys, which are edged
with border of drawn work above the
| Quarter-inch hem, or are simply hem
| stitched and fringed.
] The Dresden china embroidery is of a
/ class not to be undertaken except by ex-
| pert needle-workers. In some examples
| there Is only one flower, with two or three
| tiny leaves and fine stems; and even where
clusters of blossoms are used they arc kept
about q uniform size on each piece OF work.
| From an inch to an inch and half is the
| preferred size.
The Dresden embroidery - likewise CD
| piled TO dainty tea-cloths and breakfast
| cloths to be used with Dresden china serv-
Ice. The effect Is beautiful, but the work
must be eouisitely done and the colors used
TO carry out the idea In thoroughly or.
tistic manner the designs and colors should
| be accurately copied from the china to be
used with 1t. The kensinRton stitch, with
variations, is employed for this work.
Photograph frames OF fine white linen,
Suede, satin, crepe or bsoadoloth are EN-
broidered with little knots of flowers after
the Dresden fashion, and are very dainty.
If linen is used It, may be repeatedly reno
waited by careful laundering.
The decorative art societies In the vari
| Gus cities display many novelties in EN-
broidery, or in the articles embroidered
many of them nseful, many ornamental
and many OF them too ornamental to bt
useful Think of Iavishing exquisite
flowers executed with delicate silks upor
linen bags to hold wet sponges and
brushes. and then packing the dainty
thing In D bag while travelling. IL
be sure. 1t is lined with rubber cloth. but
is incongruous all the same. Fancy q
hearth brush with handle thirty inches
long wound closely with white satin rib
bon embroidered with q running wreath OF
violets. The brush isfurther identified by
painting the top of the bristles white AND
placing to fall over them a delicate silver
fringe. Why not bestow such ornamental
ton upon some article that is ornamen ia
of itself, and allow the useful to fulfill 1T
intentf