The Van Buren press., 1895-01-19
eEAsoNAsLE FANCY WORK.
Tasty tribes to Occupy wonaa's Leisure
Moments


tasty tribes to Occupy wonsa's Leisure
Momentss
To have ever had at hand something
pretty In the way Of needlework to
occupy . spare moment IL one OF the
bits of wisdom that some women are
much Qiven to. It is possible, with .
little good material, to prepare holiday
gifts that are conspicuous for their
elegance, and doubly appreciated be-
cause they involve care, time, thougnN
and not little skilled labor. Among
the most attractive of these are toiies
sets, consisting of scarf for the dress.
inQ-table, with mats, cushion-cover ana
similar accessories.
A good cushion Is the first necessity,
and to make this is not altogether an
easy task. Some persons buy cushions
already stuffed, but one need not do
this If cost is any object. Strong mus
lin carefully stitched into square bag
is required, and this is filed as full as
possible with fine sawdust bran, or
other suitable material. 1t is best to
pack the corners very tightly, else'
after the cushion is used, 1t becomes
soft and the beauty of it is destroyed.
The cushion may then be covered with
plain silk or satin or, as some prefer.
with white linen. Colored covers, how
ever, are much better liked by many,
as over these lace Tides can be pinned
and changed at pleasure. The scarf
should be made with o view to the
place where it is to be used. In soms
instances one square for the middle
and smaller sections for either end OF
the dressing-table is desirable. A
piece of satin of the proper length
is lined either with moderately
thick muslin or with crinoline.
Then the lace cover is made. This
may have center Of dotted muslin,
net lace, or some fanciful bit OF en-
broidery, around which lace edging is
set on full. The cushion cover Is usu-
ally in square, with lace gathered on
and ribbon bows at each corner Dainty
and useful covers that are washable
are made by drawing threads and hem
stitching the edges. Then ribbons are
run through and tied in knots or ro-
settles at the corners. These may be
taken out when the linen is to be
washed.
A handsome set is made with dia-
mond OF fine linen wrought with very
elaborate monogram. To make a
square, strips of insertion and beading
are set on until the proper proportion
is reached; then q band of linen is
stitched around the edge of the lace
and just across the points of the dia-
mond. Around this is wide edging to
match the Insertion. This is an ex-
quisitely dainty design, and while
somewhat difficult to make, we'll repays
the labor bestowed upon 1t. Linen
squares with alternate rows of bead
ing and narrow embroidered insertion
with edging Of embroidery to match,
make beautiful covers and durable
ones as WE'LL There are also art squares
and fancy silks that work up to good
advantage and make useful accessories
at not very great cost. If one keeps
ones eyes open while going about, it is
a very easy matter to provide the work
basket with materials that are always
available.
In the purchase one should not for
get a full assortment of silks OF all
sorts, those for etching, filling in and
ordinary embroidery may be found at
almost all fancy stores, but there are
only few of them that are absolutely
fast colors. As this is matter OF q
good deal of Importance, it is worth
while to see that one gets only the
best. The difference in cost is but tri.
fling, and it is extremely aggravating
after spending long time on a piece Of
work to find that the materials fade al
tho FIRST touch Of sunlight. IN. Y. Led
ger. f.a4.