The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-12-17
Remakiug Old Linen.

What shall be done with well worn
table linen often becomes an unanswered
question 10 the housekeeper. Ii
generally allowed to wear out so com
pletely that nothing can be done with 1t
the table in the meantime presenting a
very shabby appearance. Sometimes
napkins are used to cover up the ravages
| of time, but as the rents increase in size
this mode of hiding them has to be
| abandoned.
In the first place, in the selection OF
table linen it is the best economy to get
| the widest, or 1T least that which will
extend over the sides of the table a full
half yard. 1t is also advisable to have
the cloth one and one-third yards longer
than the table. The reason for this is
that the borders and ends can be more
successfully utilized i'll different ways.
The softness of the cotton felt, which
| should always lie next tho table makes
the linen wear much longer, besides
adding greatly to the effect. The plan
to be adopted in making over old linen
must worry in accordance with the way
in which it is worn. A tablecloth worn
thin or even i'll shreds portion of it's
sides may oe cut into thres pieces from
selvedgo to ssvsdge. The border on each
end OF the middle piece may be joined
at the selvedgs, hemmed all around and
h,,a Ia cd int lar1 OF
napkin. The centre of the cloth Invested
of its raggedness makes another large
napkin. These serve pic MIC, church,
social and chiIdren's purpose very
we'll.
Then the two end pieces are joined in
f1atly-filled seam and make an excellent
| overcover for better tablecloth. 1t
| will fall over the edge all around and is
put on the table with tho seam running
length wise. A tea and carving cloth
| will hide the seam, but they are not
the end pieces be square they may be
joined selvedge to selvedge in an over
and oyer seam, thus bringing the
| borders dowH the centre of the table.
This is advisable where the linen is Very
heavy. Another plan is to take the
better part of the ends of well-worn
cloth, hem them separately with two
inch hem done in washable gold floss in
simplest Kensington stitch. These will
make neat water table spreads or end
covers when one wants to tidy up the
table without changing the cloth.
| Where the ends of cloth are worn the
borders may be cut eff full length, their
selvedges joined by an inexpensive
torchon insertion in imitation of drawn
work, the edges hemmed plain or briar-
stitched in linen floss. This makes a
very pretty centre strip, which will take
the place of tea, carving or centre cloth
all in one, and will last long tine.
The same idea carried oYl
narEowe border makes Ssa. sidshaa.
cover, the e6dsoLSSieb NAV havs ~
edge to match the insertion; or a border
OF the requisite width may be hemmed
on Its one side and serve as a perfectIv
PLAIN sldeboard cover. These bordered
also make excellent protectors laid on
each side of the table were cbiIdre,
usually Sit
| There will be found many thin places
ana even holes in these made.over lines
all OF which should be darned with flax
thread sold for the purpose.
When those cloths have served tbir
purpose in the dining room they NAV
DC given to the bread maker, to whom
soit linen is always acceptable. The
pieces SO worn that they cannot be used
IN any other way should be rolled nm
ana put into CONVENIENT place for use
IN wounds, congresses and other necess;-
ties to which old linen is specially adam
ted.