The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-03-23
FINE ART EMBR0IDERlES
Ind ana Women Will Acquit the Coun.
ty Fair Idea of Their Work.
One Thousand Dollar Banquet Set to Be shown
OF the Worlds Fair-Reyiew ofthe Hand
rome Pieces OF NeeileWOrk.

"
women have been busily engaged in doing
high art n~eedlework 10 be- shown at the
worlds fair. Now that the time for OPEN
ing the fair draws near the embroiGeTies
approach completion. Most of the pieces
nre finished and TO show what has been ac-
complished an exhibit will be opened this
morning. at 10 o'clock. at No.. 695 North
Alabama street. and continue opep. morn
ing. afternoon and evening, till Saturday
at 10 o'clock p. NJ.
Every piece has been designed by Miss
Mary A. Williamson. of this city, who waa
given charge of the exhibit TO be made fol
Indiana. No two designs are alike. and
each shows not only a cultivated taste but
natural artistic Judgment in arrangement
Every piece was begun under Miss Will
lismson's direction. and many have been
wrought at her home by those over whom
she had continual care. AS an art display
of embroideries it has probably never been
eoualed in the State. and. as q large num-
Der of places are represented by exhib-
itors. the whole State may take pride
In what has been accomplished. The
work 10 for the woman's building. and q
generous amount of space has also been set
aside in the manufacturers building for a
part of the collection.
Various materials are used as foundations
for the multiform embroideries from silk,
satln, boiling cloth, linen and dsmask GO
sail cloth. or Columbian cloth" as .
bright old lady 10 pisased to call IL, and
coarse linens.
There are two sets of embroideries which
are remarkable. One is a banquet set.
which belongs TO Mrs. May Wright Sewall.
OF this city. and it could not be duplicated
for $1,000. The material is rich satin
damask. and IL Is exQuisitely embroidered
In white silk. The design is the fleur ds
lis. The large piece is the table cloth, six
yards long and three yards wide. With
the exception that the tieur de lis is re-
peated, In the single figure. all over the
center OF this cloth. the same pattern is not
used twice. There are two scaris, one for
each end of the table, q square piece
for the center, o dozen md u half nap
kins. two extra large for the guests OK
honor. and eighteen doylies The cloth has
O six-inch open-work border. and the scaria
have broad drawn-worK ends. The napkin
corners have various single and multiplied
figures. The doylies are unique and in the
corner OF each Is an odd-shaped bit OF fine
drawn work. o different sample of this
revived work for each. So beautifully ID
this embroidery executed that it seems in-
corporated in it.
The second set IL owned by Mrs. Clement
~ 01t 1N1
linen, embroidered IN poppy design. In the
shades of red and green. There Is the
counterpane, bolster cover, curtains,
toilet set. table cover, towel and pin-cush-
ion cover. There are many fine and eff
fective stitches on the several pieces.
One advantage of Miss Wiliiamson's dc.
signs is that none is repeated. Ii WAS she
who made the golden rod design for M.s.
Harrison's inaugural ball dress. and a
panel of the material was framed and sent
TO Miss Williamson. and hangs on the wall,
Two attractive pieces are embroidered on
net; one IN chrysanthemum design Is q
counterpane embroidered by Mrs. j. r..
Scott, and the other. OF net and boiling
cloth. embroidered in pink roses. Is a cur
tain by Mrs. Frank Reeves. of Richmond.
An interesting piece is an old blanket. an
heirloom In Mrs. Orpha Planners family,
and Mrs. Flanner has embroidered il In
parti- colored silks.
One exquisite bit is an easel drape. Q
flight of butterflies" The colors were
copied from nature and the fine stitches besl
the closest examination. The work was done
by Miss Williamson's mother. who Is sew
enty-six years old. Mrs. Howard Gale
shows a work made of brown satin sheet
Ing. embroidered in roses. which Is very
handsome. There are two piano covers on
exhibit. Mrs. McNary. of Logansport. has
one of ivory white moleskin. EN- roidered
In pinks and browns. and Mrs. W.. 4. Brown
has one of moleskin beautifully finished.
A brilliant pOrtiere Is of old blue satin,
with n phenix in all colors and many jewels
spreading over the surface. The curtain
was made by Mrs. j. III. Murphy.
There is a great variety of table-covers.
Miss Ida Taylor. of Logansport. shows one
of linen, embroidered in browns; Mrs.
Gavin. of Lafayette. has a moleskin, heav.
lily mbroidered-so has Mrs. FANNIE Major,
of Shelby Vile: Mrs. A. +. lowering has one
In Doppy design that's very elaborate; Mrs.
William Taylor has one IN Persian design,
and the surface of linen IL entirely hidden
with intricate stitches and spangles; Mrs.
j. +. Alexander has q pretty one in shades
of green and silver: Mrs. Nj. j. Mccoy, of
RENSSELAER,, has two-oDe In pe0Dy and the
other in fieur de lie: Miss Louise C~arnahan,
of Fort Wayne. has one of tan silk with
graceful designs; Mrs. David Williamson
has one in blue and brown, aud Mrs Robert
Sample, of Lafayette, III Oriental piece; Mrs.
j. Il. Mitchell. OF Lafayette. is represented
by one in palm leaf. Mrs. Annie Morse. Of
| Fort Wayne, has n large square linen cover
that is finely embroidercded In white; it 10
bordered with yellow satin. Mrs. Ii. 3.
Tucker las a dainty lunch cloth. with dog
wood blossoms; and Mrs. John NJ. Spann, .
delicate center piece. with purple pansies
in the border and scattered over IL. Miss
Matte Bruce. OF Lafayette. has an oblong
center, with trailing vines In pink and
brown. Pre-eminently delicate Is a square
of the finest linen IN drawn work IL repre-
sents hours of labor. great patience and
greater skill. 1t Is one of those bits which
are treasured for centuries as heirlooms.
Miss Clark. of Economy. created this
marvellous piece. and 1t is without q fiaw.
Every piece in the collection is a gem in
itself and something any one might be
a great credit to the State. During the
time the fair 10 open s0uvenier embroidered
dOyIies of every conceivable design end
fabric will be for sale. The exhibit is open
to the public. and the proceeds Will be used
for the purcnase of cases In which the EN-
hrn1derlaa NAV ha ahnwn