Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-10-21
HOUSEHOLD LINENS.

TJOOoCNSI1 6hN6NSs
"White-work" is not so general term
az one might suppose 1t to be. The
name has been, by centuries OF use, con-
fined to embroidery done with cottons,
usually on white linen grounds and after
the method more correctly known as
satin stitch. Another proof Of how lit
tie there is in name is evident in the
modifying French" for without e1cep-
ton this work is, Of all kinds OF en-
broidery, the most universally done
throughout all countries. To be sure,
the French do it exclusively, but the
most beautiful specimens come from
Switzerland.
Its most practical application is in let
tering. This is exceedingly satisfactory
embroidery for linens which are to be
washed. MANY of our silks are fast
colors, but even with that guarantee they
need to be Numbered with care. This is
true to certain extent of all embroid-
cries, but certainly this work is as near
to being altogether serviceable as it is
possible for embro derry to be.
The work on household linens such as
table-cloths, napkin s, tray-cloths, towels
etc., should be done in "French working
cotton" and, by the way, the best quail
ty is labelled "made in Germany"
Initiating is both ornamental and use
full, aud is already widely done in Ameri'
can homes-too often very badly-bu,
not so universally as abroad; there one
sees it even in hotels and very humble
homes. Our ugly indelible ink-marking
is unknown; instead, bed and table
linens are marked with needle-work. Nc
doubt many women could find time te
so ornament their household linens, but
the right way to go about the work j:
wanting. 1t is not difficult embroidery
on the other hand, it is certainly mo-
sewing, and there is proper way to de
| it. The material should be stretched
either in hoop or basted over stiff pa
per so that the stitches can be placed
with perfect uniformity. When thu
linen is heavy, such as table damaSk, thu
hoop is better. One who learns to worl
on it with both hands, sending the needle
up and down, will be repaid by the eas'
which she will acquire. On light lawns
the stiff-paper method may be used. ant
the work done in and out, the entir'
stitch laid at a stroke, for the paper viii
prevent the lawn from pulling. This i
the way in which the fine French hand
kerchiefs are embroidered.
1t is impossible to do good work will
the covering stitches unless the unde
filling is carefully done. 1t should b.
carried lengthwise of a form or with it
direction. The first set of stitches cal
be long, and when these are evenly lait
they should be bound in with slantin,
stitches from side to side. Great car
sholld be taken, in the first place, to la,
an equal quantity of cotton over the SUI
face, and in the second to keep all wei
within the outline. One may raise tn
work in this way just little, or firm
and high. The form must be wild
enough to permit of this raising, how
ever. Stems or single lines can be mos
satisfactorily worked over a singh
thread.
The second step in this embroidery i
the over-work. These stitches are mad
to cover the width of the letter or vine
or ornaments from side to side, entirel
without shading and with perfect regu
larity. 1t is not always that such def
mite rules for embroidery can be lai
down as in this particular instance, bu
as it is kind of work chiefly dependen
upon accuracy for its beauty, it is there
fore quite possible to state in wha
respects it shall be accurate.
The first essential to the CORRECTNESS
of all embroidery is the direction of tn
stitches. This is the foundation 9
technique in embroidery, and in som
kinds of work it is very complicate
question but as applied to French whit
work it is very definite and unmistaks
BILE principle even to amateurs. Away
the stitches should be placed at RICH
angles to the direction of the form
whether it be composed of straight q
curved lines. 1t is indeed an over an
over work, and to lay the stitch at rigf
augles will be to span the form by tn
shortest possible distance. Look at tn
sampler and note how the direction c
the stitches bears always the same reli
ton to the direction of the curves of tn
letters. If the form is wide it is nece'
sary to divide it into two or more bars
sections. BY embroidering these bal
separately the stitches are short, and tn
work is consequently firm.
A very little practice enables one
do this work evenly, and it, togethe
with hem-stitching, will give the ever
day linens that very dainty touch whic
makes bit of art and beauty part
the home atmosphere. initiating alor
is often sufficient. The proper size &c
an initial or crest on napkin is one
two inches, on the corner of the tabl
cloth four inches. This letter should
placed on the cloth just where it turf
the corner of the table Oh top. Q
sheets the initial should be placed in IL
centre of the width and about one inc
from the bottom of the top hem. A Ii
tie color may be used in marking towe
if one wishes.
Hem-stitching and white work are a
ways a pretty combinations; they al
both pleasant leisure work, and the tin
will be well spent in a very practical
/ Iln-x