The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-11-08
THE USEFUL CRASH,
1t Ia Material That Fills Many Demands
in the Household.


various uses to which we can put the
checked linen crash which we have
been accustomed to buy for kitchen
towels. 1t has, however, many uses,
and these not merely as a n.lkeshift
for want or better material, but be-
cause for the purpose it is the best ma
terial we can get.
As covers for the tOilet-table it is in
valuable in a room that is in constant
daily use. since it can be removed and
laundered every week, can be entrusted
to even the most careless laundress,
and if nicely ironed keeps the table
much fresher and prettier than the
half-soiled fancy and delicate covers
which we so often see. 1t should be
made to hang over the ends of the
table from eight to Twelve inches. and
have a hem across the ends about three
inches deep, which, if hemstitched, is,
of course, all the prettier and heater.
The pincushiOn cover can be made to
match, and in this material is more APP
propriately made with a simple tuck
all around it deep enough to fall over
and touch the table, or nearly SO. In
SGCdt VI lcotN ny II open Oil OHt Gnu do
we do in a pillowcase, make it fit
the cushion closely and then open it
through the middle both ways, on the
under side, thus making four tight
corners into which the cushion can be
slipped, and the four loose corners can
be pinned to the under side of the
cushion in the center. The 'washstand
cover can be made the same as the
cover for the toilet-table; and with two
sets of this kind, the simplest room
can be kept fresh and attractive and
while dainty in its cleanliness will not
be too good to use
Another excellent use for crash is in
making kitchen aprons. We somehow
have the idea that if an apron is for the
kitchen it must necessarily be of either
dark gingham or calico, or something
wholly unattractive. AS a matter of
fact, neat person will not wear q
kitchen apron after it is sOiled; and
dark material keeps clean no longer
than light-it only conceals its unclean
condition longer. There is no reason,
then, why d kitchen apron should not
be attractive as well us useful; and
anyone who has once used for this pur-
pose fine, pretty piece of delicately
checked linen crash, will scarcely want
to return to the ugly dark aprons of
former days.
But there is another advantage in
using crash for aprons and toilet
tables and that is, that owing to its
durability its first use-fOr kitchen
towels-is not lost, but only delayed.
We all know that the crash is not
nearly so agreeable to use for wiping
dishes when it is new as it is after it
has been used for a time, and by re-
peated launderings has lost something
of its first stiffness. On the contrary,
it is much prettier for aprons and
dressing room articles when it is stiff
and new; so it can very well be used
for these, and after it has lost its first
beauty can then easily be made into
kitchen towels ready for use. Its shape
is such that nothing is lost, since
kitchen aprons are usually made of
two or three straight widths, which
can easily be separated and hemmed
for towels. Even the pincushion cover
is the best thing one can use for a dish
cloth, and will need but few stitches
to put it in proper shade. The tuck
can be ripped out, and the whole piece
hemmed; or, if one likes a thicker cloth
for washing dishes, the four loose cor
ners can be simply stitched down. and
the cloth will then be double,
In the same way the crash can be
used for laundry bags; and it is no
mere substitute for something pretty,
but is really attractive and gives one
a sense of appropriateness that adds to
the attractiveness Make the bag as
long as you want your kitchen towels,
and finish with as deep hem at the
top as you choose. The bag can then
be Numbered every week or two, and
when it has become sufficiently soft
for agreeable use in the kitchen,
it can be quickly changed into two
good towels, and bright new bag may
take its place. Magazine.
HUNTING THE SEA LION.