New-York tribune., 1901-08-18
HINTS FOR EMBROIDERERS.
OBSERVANCE OF LITTLE THINGS MAKES
AMATEUR NEEDLEWORkERS
MORE SKILFUL.

Amateur needleworkers often at a loss 70
know what is the best ground material upon whlch
to work and infrequently very good embroidery
is wasted unsuitable fabrics. Materials 1or the
purnose need not be sumptuous expensive, but
they should always be of good quality. Cheap ana
inferior fabrics give tawdry results and such crea-
tons litter a room rather than ornament It, Since
decorative art is not necessity of life better 10
do without ornamentation of all kinds than use
the "cap trap sort. One who has time to expend
on art needlework afford the best materials
No other fabric is pretty for embroidery as
linen but It of the greatest Importance that Ii
should be pure Among so called art goods many
beautiful linens may be found ranging in price
from 80 cents to 81 30, and in quality from the finest
lawns doylies and the like to the heavy agri. or
linen canvas for heavy work. Good, pure linen
of less beautiful texture may be had for IS cents
a yard and is far superior to the ready stamped
centrepieces. etc. made of cotton mixture
known to the trade as union
OF the charming coored linens so plentiful now.
the Bulgarian and agri most suitable for table
covers sofa pillows etc. Simply embroidered.
these always have a fresh, clean effect. and can
be perfectly laundered Among the prettest coors
are the old blues often worked with white cot
ton or silk losses and the serviceable browns.
Finger bowl doylies best made of lawn. instead
| of the heavier kinds which SO often used fer
the purpose Old beached linen Is the most suita-
| bic for drawn work.
Nothing looks more refreshing may. indeed
say appetzing-on a hot. sultry morning, than IN
breakfast table set without the regulation cloth.
A breakfast of linen he so simple as to Dc
an economy In the matter OF Arrange ment and
laundering. a large Centrep!ece. with l2-ineh
doyles Is all that is absolutely required for the
set and they may be finished with simply hcIn-
stitched hem or scalloped edge buttonholod.
Pretty effects I'm table linen may be obtained by
using the suggestions found in the designs Of
damask. Wrought in simple outline stitch. with
white floss, both unbleaChed and neaChed damask
may serve as foundation for charming centre
pieces. tray cloths ana sidehOar covers. Many OF
the luncheon cloths are woven in heautfu patterns
well worth acCeutuat.ng. and although the work OF
outlining them In hosses would probably take all
ones leisure time for some weeks. vet many people
would feel that the result had repaid the effort.
White is sure to be acceptable Tor the dining
| table and white SILK white linen IS most
effective Pale shades are less decided in effect
/ than white. For dinners fairly strong cOors are
allowable. especially II they TO hc used under
| gas light Monochrome work Is always pretty-au
blue or all green, for example In suitable designs
| Designs for embroidery. by the way. are more OF
| a problem than the amateur realizes. and.
| fortunately, few are worthy the name. Good de-
| signers are seldom In sympathy with the needle
/ worker, and result drawings are too often un-
| not enough appreciated in this country TO make 10
| worth artists while to design foI II, and. a
| rule miserable apologies have to serve the purpose.
"--ttered sprays of flowers do not constitute de-
sign. certain cOnseCutiveness is necessary. and
decided conventionalty most desirable. The design
| should moreover be simple. not complicated and
! confused Naturalistc drawings of flowers are
good II they are arranged simply and convention
ally.
| Flo is the most beautiful thread for white linens
| on lawns IL should he used single. heavier
grounds double. Practice is necessary before one
can untwisted thread without roughiug IT, II
the worker finds difficulty with her Mo either she
is skiful or her hands are not In proper cond-