The age-herald., 1897-09-12

American expert in this superb art work thinks that workers will find great sat isfaction in changing the quality of the material to suit special purposes, and
 that finer material will be used, while
 heavy satin for spreads and curtains
 will admit of massive work in heavier losses There has been no work so
 broad in its cope as F1orentine cut work. Both lace makers and embroid- CTS are delighted in it's opportunities for breadth of design. The royal Bat tenberg laces are now overshadowed by the substantial and elegant Florentne.
 Many of the stitches in the lace work of the latter are being used, also in the Battenberg, adding interest as we'll as beauty to the style. Some of the stitches are said to be reproductions of the old Egyptian looped network, which trav- elers to museums in the old art centers will recognize as belonging to ancient art work and clothing. One of the chief charms of Florentine. cut-work is it's ca pacity for variety. Both in design and purpose it is particularly comprehen- sive. For the lettering of table linen, bed linen or towels it is exquisite. A design on white satin damask placed over a color is especially handsome for sofa pillow. Again, on a bed-spread 1t is magnificent, and though it may take many days to accomplish such a piece, it will remain beautiful, fresh and artistic for all time. There is always sufficient lace work in the design to make a color beneath it an added at traction, ard it is in that way that table pieces are likely to become pop ular. By using lining of satin or silk to harmonize with other table decora- tions a color scheme may be introduced, and the beauty of the china and flowers be enhanced by the addition.
 Though colored fiosses may be used in the Florentine work and the effect is very handsome, the popularity of white for all tabla furniture is an argument against their use. In selecting mate rials, fine quality of satin damask is preferred. It should be very firm and able to stand much stretching The de- sign being one esp cially made for the work, the first step is purling the whole outline. This is done by working over Bargarren art thread with royal floss close, even stitch is absolutely neces- sary. Un@yenness and loose work are disastrous and the poor needle woman had better try other employment. Per feet accuracy is essential in every part Part of the design may be purl.d or but toned-holed, and variety be attained by alternating the lace work with that stitch. The smallest hoop is used. It is placed under part completely purl4d the space stretched very tightly and then the place to be worked in lace stitches is cut very close to tha purl- ing. The mesh is then laid in by a se- ries of parallel threads, crossed at right angles, and then again, twice diagonally Upon these threads are laid ths various lace stitches. They vary from a sim pie mesh, well frightened by knots to the most elaborate designs. Medallions, stars, circles, trianglss, butterflies, ara besques, rococa meshes and more are all used in great numbers throughout the piece. The simple mesh is the founda- tion of the greater number of stitches. When this has been mastered progress is easier One advantage of this work is that it is not trying to the eyes, the purling being done in heavy floss with corrsspondingly broad stitches The lace work done with etching silk, which is not very fine, ard the over-work. which fills in all the uncut parts is large in form. woman who has done both colored and white work of great fineness finds Florentine cut work the most fas- cinating of all embroidery. Its scope, variety, and durability insure the sat- isfaction of knowing that labor spent upon it is not for the day, but for all time. It would be better to accom- pfish one piece of Florentine cut-woriz even if it should take years, than many ephemeral pieces of inferior quality.
 The beautiful floral processions which have attained such popularity in the southwest ought to become feature of social life in this section. Besides their beauty, these parades' encourage the cultivation of flowers, and a love of them. There is no season that Birming- ham should not inaugurate this pretty fashion next spring, and make it an annual celebration, alike delightful to the citizens and helpful to the merchants by attracting crowds of visitors to the town The floral procession for which Nashville is preparing, and which will occur on Kate Kirkman day, the 30th instant, is to be a gorgeous affair. and Alabamlans who visitsthe Tennessee Gen. tennial on Alabama day. the 29th in- stant. will probably remain in Nashville long enough to enjoy this novel exhibi- tion. The recent flower parade at Col rrado Springs was more than two miles