The Portland daily press., 1896-02-08
THE HOME.
Durable Pillows.

AS We are In search OF durable as Well
as washable fabrics, we need waste no
time over cheese cloth, silkolene and
other fimsy. cheap muslins, whose only
fitness for this special purpose, is their
beauty, than over silks and satins. In
plain fabrics thai are especially adapted
to embroidery, we find all the old favor
ites-art linen, soft-fnished crash, d. IL
lings, linen and cotton Embellishments
satin, plantation cloth, &c.-not only in
wider range of oolors and tints, but in
handsomer weaves and finish.
In the later fabrics, agra and Russian
linen seem all that can be asked The
former comes in all tho new shades, in
two qualities (heavy and medium
weight), is 4S inches wide aud costs from
81 to 81. IS per yard ard the latter. which
also come in variety of colors, is from
its soft finish almost as flexible as silk.
Both launtler perfectly. Denims, which
are still on the high tide of favor with
women of artistic taste. are shown in
many pleasing and delicate tints. but to
my thinking the blue and red are still
most desirable. As any of the soft-fin-
ished varieties of linen fabrics make
effective backgrounds for EN- br0idery,
these are in every way suitable for pillow
covers.
The double frill is one of the most ar
tistic edge finishes yet devised for pill
lows, and though not In as decided favor
as formerly, it is still often seen. Linen
is too stiff, too wiry to be effective for
this purpose, but one of the dress fabrics
called s'swivel silk" is beautiful, and so
is sateen, either in solid color or change
able effects.
Calcutta and Bombay cloths are excep-
tionally handsome lightweight fabrics,
with decidedly eastern designs and oolor-
ings they are nearly yard wide. Canton
hannels are stamped in admirable de-
signs and colorings but if they are ever
desirable for this purpose. it is not for
summer use. OF dress fabrics that are
especially adapted for pillows, are moire
and broche sateen. swivel silks, serpen-
tine brode and fancy prints. Turkey red
and bandanas are very effective for ham
mock and piazza pillows when combined
with fabrics of neutral colors.
All washable pillow covers should be
made removable. How this can best b
done depends upon the style Of the cover
With an aIl-round edge finish they may
button at the centre of the back pearl or
bone studs are inexpensive, and more
convenient than buttons. A pretty,
though rather elaborate style of pillow.
has a permanent cover of colored goods,
with deep full bias puff all around
each corner, near the gathers of the puff,
ribbons are sewed, and these are drawn
through eyelets made at corresponding
points in an embroidered linen cover.
either white or of some contrasting color,
and tied in bows Pretty covers are made
of single piece of cloth scanned together
at the center Of the back, left open and
trimmed at the two opposite ends with
fr1lls, and held in place with three or
| four pearl studs buttoned through the
hem at each end.
Embroidery should always be done
with wash silks OF linens. Bold designs
are more effective than elaborate ones.
and a combination of stitches more
pleasing than uniformity. Dye paint ID
very effective used in combination with
| embroidery but as such covers cannot be
launc ed it's not desirable. Coronation
braid neatly oouched on is very effective,
and an ingenious woman produces won
derfully pretty effects with various kinds
of lace braid, caught down by fancy
stitches Oriental effects are always
pleasing, and are easily obtained by the
use of Japanese gold cord, which washes
as well as silk. It is generally used to
outline designs, and is most effective
when couched on with silk Of tho same
color.
Handmade linen lace or fringe Is O
breautiful and durable edge finish. Il
may be attached to the edge seam, but
is more effective if the top of the cover
extends a few inches beyond or shaped
section Of the material is scanned in al
the edge. and tine lace or fringe sewed te
the outer edge. Linen fringe with one
knot, two knot, or fancy knitted head
ing can be had in all oolors, and in com
binations of gold and white, tan and
white, blue and white, 60. A contrast
ing cording, made by covering old fash
toned candle wicking, is a simple ant
; pretty finish, when it is carefully scanned
. in so as to be of an equal size ali arount
} and linen, tassel- tipped cords sewsd t,
each corner and tied in long Topped bows