New-York tribune., 1901-12-30
LINEN AND ITS CARE.
JANUARY IS THE TINE THE THRIFTY
HOUSEWIFE REPLENISHES THIS
DEPARTMENT.

The household linen displayed conspicuously
in the shops the first week Of the new year sug-
eests the wonan's festival of olden times, jocu-
Iarly known as st Dstafs Day It was the
first working day after the Christmas season, on
which women resumed their distaffs and began the
task Of spinning Although those days are gone
the traditions Of that time remain and this is the
season when the most methodical housekeepers
plenish their linen closets and purchase supplies OF
blankets. bedding and other household goods which
may now be secured greater advantage than
any other of the year
The linen sales Of January started many
years ago in this country by A T. Stewart who
began ma king special display OF linens and other
household goods in order stimulate trace These
sales soon became yearly feature OF all the
large city Now. in remote towns. jan
Uary is recognized the linen month.
The first week in January is too early before Lent
10 make up cotton gowns and underwear for sum-
uer, and no other sewing can be done so con-
venieatly ct this season
When selecting cheap CT medium quality OF
table danask, choose q pattern that nearly covers
the ground. Such tabiecloth will wear better
and look better than one Of the same quality where
there is great deal Of plain surface displayed.
An "aIover'' pattern nearly covering the surface
Of the cloth coneeals the quality Of damask that
would seem quite coarse II there were much plain
surface. The favorite snowdrop ami other scat
tered patterns 90 not look well in low priced
+een as either "allover' design a running
one The term double damask means a heavy
linen. but not necessarily a more expensive one
than g single damask Some OF the finest table
linens are single darnask. These single damask
cloths IN simple snowdrop and other small
patterns which well and do not crack
easily some Of the heavier goods.
Table linen is apt crack If it is folded when 1t
.s frozen II should never be dried out of doors in
winter. II may also crack from using IL
hard table which has undercover. The familiar
blsnketing used under table linen not only i'm
proves its appearance but adds TO its durability.
fzrn 4e and
easily washed than any more expensive goods used
this purpose. This blanketing should be fitted
under the edges OF the table so that there is
danger Of its hanging down below the tablecloth-
TO FINISH THE EDGES OF CLOTHS.
The simple rolled hem. done by hand, should
Anish the edges OF all tabIecloths and napkins
OF eanssk. Careful housekeepers do not use
machine hem On table liren or sheets or other
bedding. except possibly the bed protectors so
generally uced around mattresses under the sheet.
Fine damask table linen is occasionally hem
stitched. In this the tablecloth generally
has a two-inch hem aad the napkins finished
with an inch hem, though sometimes deep hens
are used. Often monte linen is used for this pur-
pose but such cloths preferred for the lunch
con the tea table cloth of pure white
demask is liked better than any fancy weave of
linen for dinner breakfast, and even for lunch
con or tea A: o'clock tea, which should be dis
tinguished from tea which is the last meal Of the
Used On the small fancy cloths
Inc woman who desires 10 set table in faultess
taste VIII allow color 10 be used about IL eN
cept IN the china and in the flowers Pure white
chinas with gilt decorations is considered the best
taste. put tlats OF color also used At break
fast old blue Canton is admired by many persons,
enc IS sometimes employed at other meals.
Ihe pest way Of marking table linen is to place
the Initials OF the hostess in the upper left hand
corner just below the edge. This Is done in satin
stiteh IN plain English script and in plain printing
letters, because such letters easily read and
serve their purpose OF marking the linen without
being conspicuous. Monograms, which not
legible initials, often used
Darn cracks in linen a back of linen cambria
with hne thread and cut the cambric away around
the darn. When properly done and leundered the
earning will hardly show If there is little starch
in the cloth
TO REMOVE STAINS ON TABLE LINEN.
White table linen which may be boiled and
oieaeaee- is easily washed yet great many pieces
are ruined by careless laundresses who do not at
Tempt to take out the stains until they have been
set with water and SOAP, boiled in A
STAN that has been treated in this way is a diff
S-tL tang 70 remove II is an important matter 70
examine all tablecloths, napkins doilies and any
Sltsr pieces OF "a bic linen and all stains
oefefe sending them 10 the wash The stains NAV
pt peTrnaE Eenfly sat with cold water
When they are fresh fruit stains will ordinarily
19He ont oy soaking the spots in boiling water
ne water must be bubbling Tea stains are
oinaeuit TO eradicate II once "set." They usually