The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-07

dous amount of work. Needless to say
this makes them very costly
Chief among the important belongings
of the nursery god is the crib. Nova
days it is a medley of silk and lace pad
died. shirred and frilled into a beauteous
and downy nest Usually the frame is
of wicker. One of plain pine, however,
is less expensive and will be found
quite as satisfactory as a foundation
for prevailing decorative schemes, as no
part of the wood is visible beneath the
yards of silk and leagues of lace used
A very handsome crib illustrating the
extravaganza of the day is composed of
yellow liberty silk 1avishly trimmed in
renaissance lace. There is a deep ruff
fie of silk falling from the side and
barely escaping the floor. Over this is
a closely shirred lace edged fril1, drap-
ed in wide, graceful scallops marked by
a series of narrow white ribbon TO
settles. To a gilt rod is adjusted the
silk canopy bedecked in cascades of
renaissance lace and dotted by rosettes
thrice the size Of those elsewhere en-
p1oyed.
Dressing baskets are made to match
the cribs in color, and contain ivory
toilet articles, upon which appear the
small owners initials in letters of gold.
The color furore has invaded the in
fantile sanctum and for the time being
few nurseries are equipped in white.
crib which is useful and inexpen-
sive, as well as unique may be made
from a large clothesbasket. This bas-
ket is lined with cotton batting, over
which is dafntily sewed some delicately
colored china silk or soft finished linen
material. The outside is deftly covered
by means of top drawstring and sew
eral widths of the material drawn to-
gether under the bottom. After the
handles have been ribbon wrapped big
bows are tied upon them. AS a matter
of convenience the basket Is superior
to the standing crib. In it baby can
be carried from one room to another
with little trouble and less danger of
injuring the frail back by too much lift
ing. In selecting a basket care should
be taken to see that the sides are tall
enough to protect the head from posi-
bic drafts. The square shaped basket
for this reason, if not from an artistic
standpoint, should be chosen in prefer
ence to the oval kind.
That the influence of fashion extends
to babyland may be further observed in
the use of mercerized cotton for small
clothes. This and corded dimity are the
favored materials. The latter is sell
dom tucked, but garments made of it
are deliberately trimmed in lace bands
and edgings.
Infant dresses are shorter. They must
barely cover lIl0 lOSS u the SILK HLe0
pique shoes, which are pretty and &C
ceptable substitutes for wooden bootees.
Silk slippers with lace vamps and
quilted soles are provided for the little
ones who while wearing short frocks
are still in arms.
Another indication of fashions inva-
sion is found in the caps of lace. They
are close fitting and unlined. Small de-
signs in all over lace are used for their
construction. Beneath this fiImy head
gear baby's soft ringlets get the bene-
fit of air and sunshine, which, from a
hygienic standpoint, is most desirable
No article of raiment has ever been
so freely discussed as baby's flannel
band. Extreme advocates of dress re-
form would discard it altogether. The
modern physicians advice Is less rad
icaI He advocates the use of the band
as protection against cold, but not
as a support or compress, and insists
that it be loosely pinned. This theory
will appeal to every experienced mother
who long since has learned the ines
Unable value of the flannel strip,
though approaching the difficulty Of