The times., 1897-11-21

New York Nov. 20 Thrifty and prOyi
dent souls WHO are always On time with
everything that 5 expected Of them have
doubtless finished all their Christmas pres
ents and folded them carefully in tissue
paper to IA wait their Gay OF triumph The
plain, everyday, procrastinating mortal,
however wao never for any cons laraticn
does today what she can possibly put off
unit tomnrro W, S at this moment cudgel-
ing her brains to decide upon what She viii
make Gni Christmas just as soon as Thanks
giving is over For such these De
scription of some dainty novelty may be
helpful in salving the vexed problem which
cunfronts the generously inclined at tie
end of every year.
Something new in napkin rings has
been Lately devised by clever woman.
These rings are made Of two thicknesses
Of medium, OF rather heavy, weight, round
thread, bleached grass linen. They are
cut with one pointed ard one square end,
rIose 10 the required size, with button
and buttonbcIe, and have sInall design
Of an initial Jewel, or initial flower letter.
the outside toward the pointed end.
JewAled initial letters are much in favor.
They are outlined in Eold color or royal
blue. and then set with Jewels. The initial
OF the Jewel must be the same, i possible,
Hs the letter in which it is set. Il, for in
Stance, calls Tor rubies; $, for sapphires
A, for amethyst; B, cor beryle or blood stone,
T, turquoise or green tourmaIine. and 50
m fha
same principle; K, for roses; F, for for
get-rne n.st; ", for (sweetl william, wall
flower. wild rose, Wistaria, etc,
II possible, the favOrite flower OF the
Individual for whom the ring is intended
should be used, but If Fanny happens 70
tike roses lest. she is unfortunate in having
aname ;nat does not begin with R, and the
Bnly thing 10 do is to take her second
faYOrite.
a very pretty variety can be obtained
IN this manner for half dozen or a dozen
rings The linen is cut in strips about
two ami one-qHarter inches wide and eight
Inches long. which allows OF one-quarter-
inch turuiHgs all around true half
square point is made at one end Of each
eight-inch strip before the rings are made
m The embroidery is also done on the
upper piece hefore putting together and
the ;sesien placed near, but not too close,
10 the pointed end, 70 that when buttoned
the design VIII Ice uppermost, thus enabling
the nlemhers Of the family 10 distinguish
their 0wa rings at a glance.
The embroidered piece is then sewn TO
O plain piece for a lining, tarned through
the square end. siuoOthed, pulled ia shape,
the squaTe end tllind- stitched up aud 4
tiny trail of brier- stitch of French dots
rarlied all around the ring, 10 keep the
edges in shape & buttonhoe is worked
IA The point and the ring completed by a
igttou st he other end.
IEis hGttpi4 il a very distinctive feature
IN fact, where money is no object, 1t is apt
60 be made th- feature, and become rather
expensive This is not necessary. how
ever as in all cases where linen is con
cerned da.ntiness Is better form than much
elaboration. Anything neat viii serve. from
linen or pearl TO beautiful enamel; but the
buttons should not be too small, as most
people. children and men particularly, like
sCmcthing definite TO get hold of. If but
tons v-irh snanks are used the shaaks can
b. sewn IN place or an eyeleU hole made at
the square end of tie linen and the shank
put q rough and scared by a ring or small
tape tie on the under side. This plan ad-
mits OF easy removal for the laundry aud
Is no two buttons need b. alike. is a good
vay Of using Up odd buttons too handsome
90 throw away.
The same kind Of ring made larger abont
three inches wide by ten or twelve inches
t5ng -iG coiorcd linen, may be used for mu-
sic rolls. handkerchief holders, etc. One
dainty iuatrCE has several in her piece bas-
ket for holding together various kinds Of
patterns. scraps and tie like, in their re-
speciive rolls, and finds them as convenient
Us they are decorative.