The herald., 1897-11-28
INITIAL NAPKIN RINGS.

lem which confronts the generously in-
clined at the end Of every year.
Something new in napkin rings has
been lately devised by clever woman.
These rings are made of two thick
nesses Of medium, or rather heavy
weight, round thread, bleached grass
linen. They are cut with or pointed
and one square end, close to the re-
quired size, with a button and button
hole. and have a small design of an
initial jewel. or initial flower letter, or
bird, or tiny spray embroidered on
the outside toward the pointed end.
Jeweled initial letters are much in
favor. They are outlined in gold color
or royal blue, and then set with Jewels.
The initial of the jewel must be the
same, If possible, as the letter in which
it is set II, for instance. calls for
rubies S. for sapphires; A. for ame-
thyst; B. for beryl or blood stone; T,
turquoise or green tourmaline. and so
on. Flower letters are worked on the
same principle: X, for roses; +. for for
get me-not; w, for (sweeD William,
wall-f flower, wild rose, wistaria, etc.,
etc.
If possible, the favorite flower OF the
individual for whom the ring is intend
ed should be used, but If Fanny hap
pens to like roses best, she Is unfortu-
nate in having name that does not
begin with r. and the only thing to do
is to take her second favorite.
very pretty variety can be OBJ
tanned in this manner for half a dozen
or a dozen rings. The linen Is cut In
strips about "a inches wide and 8
inches long, which allows of one-quar-
ter inch turnings all round. A true half
square point is made at one end Of each
eight-inch strip before the rings are
made up. The embroidery Is also done
on the upper piece before putting to-
gether, and the design is placed near.
but not too close to the pointed end. SO
that when buttoned the design will be
uppermost, thus enabling the members
of the family to distinguish their own
rings at a glance
The embroidered piece is then sewn
to a plain piece for lining. turned
through the square end, smoothed,
pulled in shape. the square end blind
stitched up, and a tiny trail Of brier
stitch of French dots carried all round
the ring to keep the edges in shape. A
buttonhole is worked in the point, and
the ring completed by a button at the
other end.
This button is a very distinctive fea-
ture,-in fact where money Is no OBJ
ject, it Is apt to be made the feature.
and become rather expensive. This IL
not necessary, however, as in all cases
where linen is concerned daintiness is
better form than much elaboration.
Anything neat will serve, from linen or
pearl to beautiful enamel; but the but
tons should not be too small. as most
people, children and men particularly.
like something definite to get hold OF.
If buttons with shanks are used, the
shanks can be sewn in place, or an eye
let hole made at the square end OF the
linen and the shank put through and
secured by a ring or small tape tie on
the under side This plan admits of
easy removal for the laundry. and as
no two buttons need be alike, is a good
wav of using up odd buttons too hand
some to throw away.
The same kind of ring made larger
(about three inches wide by ten or
twelve inches long) in colored linen.
NAV be used for music rolls, handker-
chief holders, etc. One dainty matron
hns several in her piece basket for
holding together various kinds of pat
terms, scraps and the like. in their re-
spective rolls, and finds them as con-
venient as they are decorative
copyright, 1897, by Bachelor Syndicate.