The times., 1897-11-26
NAPKINS AND THEIR BEAUTY
New and PIE; sing Designs Of
Table Ad0rnment.
FASHION FANCIES IN RINGS
Jeweled Letters Are Much the Fa-
vor, and the R or l. or whatever
Else the Initial May Be win Re
Prettier if 1t Is Outlined in Royal
Blue or Gold Color.

New York. Nov. 20.-Thrifty and prCvi-
dent souls who are always On time with
everything that is expected Of them have
Doubtless finished all then Christmas pres
ents anu folded them carefully in tissue
paper 20 wait their day Of triumph. The
plain. everyday, procrastinating mortal,
however, who never fer any consjIaraticn
does today what she can possibly put off
unit tomorrow, is at this moment cudgel-
ing her brains to decide upon what she wiH
make faI Christmas just as soon as Thanks
giving is over. For such as these q &c
scTsptiun OF sCne dainty novelty may be
helpful in solving thevexed problem which
oonfrants the generously inclined at tie
end of every year.
Something Lew in napkin rings has
been Lately devised by clever woman
These rings are made OF two thicknesses
OF IneGitln. o. rather heavy, weight, round
thread. L,eached grass linen. IAey are
cut with one pointed and one square end,
close TO the required size, with a button
anu AlAAOnllAEf anu AAiNN q sNAAi-AaA t'it1-
of an initial Jewel, Or initial flnweU letter.
nr bird, or a tiny spray embroidered on
the outside toward the pointed end
Jewalcl initial letters are much in favor.
They are outlined in gold color pr royal
bl;le, and then set with jewels. The initial
OF the Jewel must be the same, I possible,
as the letter in which il is set. Il, for in-
stance, calls Tor rubies; s, for sapphires,
ID a.. 1eTra~ M
7, turquoise or green tourmallne- and so
on Flower letters are worked ON the
same principle; L, for roses +, for for
get-1ne nat; W, for (sweetl WillidIn, wall
flower, wild rose, wistaria, etc,
II possible, the fayorits flower OF the
individual for whom the ring is intended
should be used but If Fanny happens 20
HkaruSeS hest, she is unfortunate in having
q name that does not begin with Z, and the
Cnlv thing to do IS to take her second
fav0riJc.
A very pretty variety can he obtained
IN this manner for half dozen or dozen
rings The linen is cut in strips about
two anc one-Quarter inches wide and eight
inches long, which allows Of one-quarter-
inch turmncs all around A true half
square point IS made at one end Of each
eigllt-inch strip before the rings are made
up The embroidery is also done on the
upper piece Eefore putting together, and
the ssesignis placed near, but not too close,
70 the pointed end, so that when buttOned
the design VIII be uppermost, thus enabling
the members OF the family to distinguish
their own rings at a glance.
The embroidered piece is then sewn TO
q plain piece for a lining, Turned through
the square end. SlnOoJhed, pulled in shape.
the square end blind stitched up and Il
tiny trail of brier-s stitch Of French dots
carried all around the ring, To keep the
edges ia shape. = buttonhole is worked
in the point. and the ring completed 10y a
button at the other end.
Ihis baton is a very distinctive feature
In fact, where money is no object, il is apt
TO be made tile feature, and become rather
expensive This is not necessary, how
ever, as in all cases where linen is con
cerned dam tiness Is better form than much
elaboration. Anything neat VIII Sc rye, from
linen or pearl 10 beautiful enamel: but the
buttons should not be too small, as most
people, children and men particularly, like
something definite TO get hold Of. II but
tons with snanks are used the shanks can
be- sewn in place or an eyelet hole made at
the square end Of tie linen ana the shank
put through and scared by a ring or small
tape tie on the under side. This plan ad-
mits OF easy removal for the laundry and
as no two buttons need BE- alike. is a good
way Of using Up odd buttons too handsome
10 throw away.
The Same kind of ring made larger sbont
three inches wide by ten or Twelve inches
long in coloFcd linen, may be used FOR mu-
sic rolls, handkerchief holders, etc. One
dainty InatroE has several in her piece bas-
ket for holJing together various kinds Of
patterns, scraps and the like. in their re-
spcctive rolls, and finds them as convenient
as they are decorative.