The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-01-08
JANUARY L|NENSALES
ATTRACTIVE DISPLAY OF
WHITE GOODS
GOOD BARGAINS IN DAMASK
Advice to HOusekcepers in Regard
to Purchase and Care OF Table
COvers-HOyv to Mark
Table Linen.

The household linen displayed so con-
spicuously in the shops the first week
o. the new year suggests the woman's
festival of olden times, jocularly known
as st Distaff's day" 1t was the first
working day after the Christmas season,
on which women resumed their distaffs
and began the task of spinning. Al
though those days are gone, the tradi-
tions of that time remain, and this is
the season when the most methOdical
housekeepers replenish their linen clos
cts and purchase supplies of blankets,
bedding and other household goods
which may now be secured at a greater
advantage than at any other season Of
the year.
The linen sales Of January were started
many years ago in this country by A.
Z Stewart who began making a special
display of linens and other household
goods in order to stimulate trade. These
sales soon began a yearly feature Of
all the large city stores. Now, even in
remote towns, January is recognized as
the linen month.
The first week in January is too early
before Lent to make up cotton gowns
and underwear for summer, and no 9TH
ec sewing can be done so conveniently
at this season.
When selecting a cheap or medium
quality of table damask, choose a pattern
that nearly covers the ground Such a
/ tableclOth will wear better and look bet
: ter than one of the same quality where
! there is a great deal of plain surface
displayed. An "alloVer' pattern nearly
covering the surface of the cloth cOnceals
the quality of a damask that would seem
, quite coarse if there We're much plain
Co. ,I7,,o,o
er scattered patterns do not look so well
in a lOw-priced linen as either an "aIl-
over" design or a running one. The
term double" damaSk means a heavy
linen, but not necessarily a more ex-
pensive one than single damaSk Some
of the finest table linens are single
damask. These single damask cloths
come in single snowdrop and other small
patterns which wear well and do not
crack so easily as some of the heavier
goods.
Table linen is apt to crack if it is fold
ed when it is frozen. 1t should never be
dried out of doors in winter. 1t may also
crack from using it over a hard table
which has no undercoVer. The familiar
blanketing used under table linen not
only improves its appearance, but adds to
its durability. Double faced cotton fan
mel is cheaper and more easily washed
than any more expensive goods used for
this purpose. This blanketing should be
fitted under the edges of the table SO
tnat there is no danger of its hanging
down below the tablecloth.
The simple rolled hem, done by hand,
should finish the raw edges of all table,
cloths and napkins of damask. Careful
houSeKeepers do not use a machine hem
on table linen or on sheets or other bed
ding, except possibly on the bed protec-
tors, so generally used around mattresses
under the sheet. Fine damask table lin
en- Is occasionally hemstitched. In this
case the tablecloth generally has a two,
1ncn hem and the napkins are finished
with an inch hem, though sometimes deep
hens are used. Often monte linen is
used for this purpose, but such cloths are
preferred for the luncheon or the tea
table A cloth Of pure white damask is
liked better than any fancy weave of lin
en- for dinner or breakfast, and even for
luncheon or tea. At o'clock tea which
should be distinguished from tea which
is the last meal of the day, the most
elaborate embroidery and laces are used
in the small fancy cloths.
The women who desire to set a table
in faultless taste will allow no color to be
used about it except in the china and in
the flowers. Pure white china, with gilt
decorations, is considered the best taste.
but tints of color are also used. At
breakfast old blue Canton is admired by
many persons, and is sometimes employ
ed at other meals
The best 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 stitch in
plain English script, and in plain printing
letters, because such letters are easily
read and serve their purpose Of marking
the linen without being conspicuous. Mon
ograms, which are not as Iegible as I'M
. tails, are not often used.
Darn cracks in linen on a back Of
linen cambria with fine thread and cut
the cambria away around the darn.
When properly done and Numbered the
darning will hardly show if there is a
little starch in the cloth.