The Portland daily press., 1898-07-30
THE HOME.
MAKING AN AMERICAN FLAG.

whereas III Is easy ana simple. III is d
pity that the flag used in or on the hous
should not be oftener than it is the work
of the mother, wife or daughter. The
best material to use for flag is bunting
as 1t is the only material which with
stands wind and weather.
The field is the only troublesome part'
for the reason that it is difficult task TO
cut out and stitch ninety pointed stars
(as they are put on both sloes Oh 'no
union) and secure regularity. But these
fields may be purchased ready made at
small cost
The proper dimensions for flags over
one foot in size, according to the Ladies'
Home Journal, are as follows:
Eight and half by fourteen inches,
twelve by twenty-five, seventeen and
half by twenty -seven and o half,
twenty-eight and half by forty three,
thirty-tive by fifty eight, three feet by five
and four by seven.
In making flag three feet in width
and five in length, seven stripes of red
bunting, six of white and field of blue
are required. Three of the red stripes and
three of the white should be five feet in
length by three inches in width. Four
of the red stripes and three of the white
should be thirty -four inches in length by
three in width.
Harper's Bazaar says: "As bunting is
so narrow it of course cuts some width
stripes to better advantage than others.
1t is therefore we'll to plan your flag ac-
cording to the width of your bunting, if
YOU can do so. A flag of ten or one of
| fifteen feet will cut economically. In the
| first case three of the stripes can be cut
| from each width of bunting; in the Sec
| ond exactly two. In the blue also this
size is convenient.
''The standard measurements of an
American flag as given BY the army and
navy code, are as follows: The depth or
hoist of the flag must be tenn ineteenths
of the length. The thirteen stripes are of
equal width, and the union is four enths
| of the length of the field in length
and seven stripes in width.
In trying to calculate on these proper.
tions the fractions and inches grow hor-
ribly formidable. Certain sizes, however,,
are easier to make than others, partly be-
cause there are not so many parts of
inches to consider, and partly because
they cut better from the bunting. The
ten feet long or Is feet long flags afcrb-
said are good sizes for the amateur to
make for these reasons. e4
"FIav ten feet long: In this size ennh
stripe q red and six Whitley is five inches
WIDE This makes the whole width five
| feet five inches. The union Is four feet
long and seven stripes. or thirty-tiTe in
"A dag Of fifteen feet in length must
wide, which makes the whole width
| eight feet, one and half inches The
union is six feet long by seven stripes. or
| fifty two and a half inches wide. For a
flag tsn feet long, three yards of blue
bunting, seven of red and six of white
will be ample. One fifteen feet long will
white and fifteen of red bunting"
| Selvages may be left on the outside
edges Of the flag, but on each side of each
stripe and on three sides of the blue union
seams must be allowed of one-half to
three fourths of an inch. All seams must
be fiat fells, evenly sewed. Two inches
are allowed on tine outer ends of the
stripes for broad fat hem. Sew all
seams with silk. 1t is stronger and wears
| better.
The stars are cut from linen or soft
| finished muslin, torty-iye for each side
of the union, and each row sew exactly
over that on the opposite SIDE, Ihey are
| generally put on in alternate rows OF
eight and seven stars each, eight being
i'm the top row. A five-pointsd star is
necessary. Make pattern first, and cut
the muslin slightly larger to allow for
turning. Sew them on by hand. The
field when completed forms the upper
left-hand corner of the nag. ~
WHAT WOMEN ARE DOING.
Miss Edith Jarnagin, 19-year-old
Georgia girl, has just been appointed
| If ho
Southern railway. The office is one OF
great responsibility, and the safety OF
many lives depends upon the efficiency
and faithfuln ess Of the person who holds
1t. The engineer and conductor manage
their own trains, but the dispatcher man
ages them all This girl becomes hv>
| ing schedule. Not wheel can be turned
without her special order, and therefore
she must combine knowledge of telegra'
phy. tnfallibIe mathematical gifts, tact,
nerve and memory.
Mrs. Steele, of the English town OF
Lewes, is one Of the best known women
in the place. She is q sexton, and for
years dug all the graves in Lewes ceme-
terry. Now at the age of go she contents
herself with filling them up and attend
ing to the mounds and flowers. To see
her use spade is strange sight, one OF
the sights of the town to which summer
visitors are always introduced.
ltHMiss Madge Cane is crack woman
sn OF of England. She won the first prize
at the ladies competition at tie Middlesex
Gun Club.
Women are slowly obtaining few
rights in France. A short time since
they were permitted to act as witnesses
in legal sense and to sign wills, etc.
When in the country the Princess OF
Wales delightsin making little expedi-
tions incognita. An amusing and true
story has lust leaked out about one of
these impromptu excursions at Sandring
ham. Her royal highness, with the two
princesses had driven long distance from
home in her favorite pony cart, and as
lunch drew near they were glad to put