Daily Kennebec journal., 1903-07-31
SUMMER NEEDLEWORK.
Hints For Embroiders-Pretty Work on
Shirtwaists.

The use Of embroidery is more eX-
tensive this season then it has ever
been before. 1t appears in every con-
ceivable form on gowns and dress ac-
cessories, as well as on all sorts Of
decorative and useful articles for the
home. Some Of these are so elaborate
as to necessitate the work of an eX-
pert, but many Of the simple ., stocks
and lfnen triiiiiimiitigSss cah be made with
ease. The effect of these indispensa-
BILE trifles depends not SO much on the
amount of style of embroidery em-
ployed as on the neatness and careful
ness with which the work is done.
The stocks, which promise to be so
popular this year, are usually made
from butchers linen. These may be
cut pointed or, have stole ends, while
French knots, worked in rather coarse
Renaissance thread, always make a,
suitable decoration. On the point, or
on each stole end, may be placed tiny
buttons or spider web. Small con-
ventional fQWers, are also pretty and
should be padded, as initials are.
Shirtwaisty sets. Consisting Of stock,
cuffs, pleat and h;oare- oftensdp in
to do, and yet. makes a. stylish trffI-
ming. Embroidered bands are. seen on
all the smart shirtwaist suits, and may
easily be made by alternating spider
webs Or a simple conventional flower
with groups of French knots. Yokes
of butchers linen done in the same
way are also worn, the edges being fin
ished with linen band or button
holing. i.
Ribbon embroidery is greatly in evil
dence on handsome sofa cushions. The
material used is generally silk moire
in the very delicate shades. Forget
me-nots, rosebuds, violets or, in fact,
any small flowers look extremely
dainty when done in this way, and soft
green moire, embroidered with daisies,
makes lovely cushion. The petals
should be done with white ribbon, and
the centres filled in solid with yellow
French knots. The leaves look best
embroidered with silk in the usual
way.
In the case Of embroideries done on
white material, the background is
often covered with darning in pale
shade, done in straight lines. This
entirely changes the appearance of the
piece, making it seem as If the silk
thread were woven into the material.
When the color Of piece is too vivid,
it may be toned down by laying fine
white or cream net over 1t. This is
best accomplished by basting the net
over the whole piece and then working
right on top of it. The pictures on
artists satin sold for cushion tops may
be much improved by this treatment.
! Brown linen embroidered with large,
shovy flowers makes handsome centre
pieces. Poppies and daffodils are iad-
mirable for this work. Green linen is
also used, but the brown harnonizes
better with the bright colors used in
the design. Conventional designs in
deep toned silks are also popular.
These are done in fancy stitches, with
great deal of the Spanish-laid. such
as is used on altar, cloths, These CEN
terpieces are particularly suitable for
library tables, as they are in striking
contrast to the dark wood, while the
heavy, rich work is in keeping with the
furnishings of such rooms. Frequent
ly the edges of these pieces are finished
by deep ecru lace, applied outside the
buttonholing.
Spanish-laid is probably the best
stitch to use in making very large let
ters. or monograms, in silk. 1t Is not
nearly SO difficult to do well as the
regular initiating, and. besides, it offers
splendid opportunity or good shading.
Black satin, cut the same shape as a
fraternity or class pin, with the. figures
worked in gold, makes novel and at
tractive pillow or the college girl, It
iis edged with a golden yellow cord,
and backed with satin OF r.the same
shade. The idea is to carry out the