The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-05
FAD FOR SUMMER BED LINEN.
A RETURN TO GRANDMOTHER'S
IDEAS THAT COMES HIGH.
Elaborate He'd Furnishings OF Linen in
Demand NOw--Outfits Brought From
EurOpc-SOme COunterpanes Works
OF Art-Llncn's Soothing Qualities.

OF Art-AAncMS sOOthanS UuaaNhes.
Elaborate linen bed furnishings are in
demand now. the taste. for them having
been developed and encouraged by the
present fashion Of linen apparel. The
dealers notice an increasing tendency
among housekeepers TO have tho sheets,
pillow cases and counterpanCs for summer
time use of different nature from the
winter supply.
Many such outfits Of substantial linen
enriched with needlework have been be-
slowed upon newly welded couples lately,
and more than one engaged girl gone
abroad this season has gone with the deter
mination to bring back linen for the house,
hold chest secured in those Belgian and
Prussian towns where the commodity is
comparatively cheap and as much an every
day matter as cotton is with us.
There are people OF luxurious eanings
who have never used anything else than
linen bed clothing in summer, and linen
heiHlooms, survivals in this line, in many
families, show that the housekeepers OF
old days regarded linen outfits as indis-
pensable, even for people in moderate
circumstances. But it is years now. how
ever, since linen as material for bed fittings
was supplanted by cotton. The present
revival ia only an indication OF the higher
standard Of living and tho greater regard
for comfort that obtains.
Tho old theory was that it paid to get
genuine linen articles because they wore
so well But that was before the time
of washing solvents and powders, when
pure water and homemade or vegetable
soaps were the only launderers supplies.
And there were no manges and novel
wringng and drying apparatus to rip holes
in the texture. Whatever the fortunes
of the new-time linen may DO In this re-
gard, however, they are paying invest
ment for the householder, imparting a
sense OF welcome GOODNESS and amplitude
| OF a close summer night and afording a
| pleasant sense of touch and atmosphere
| that soothes even fretful, restless infant
| to slumber.
Among the linen wares at the outftter's
| sheets and pillow slips for cribs and swing
! ing beds are included, as well as exqusitely
| embroidered slumber robes for infants,
handsome crib counterpanes and coverings
| for baby carriages
Nearly all the outfits for sumptuous
| households are made to order, the sheets
and slips made individual with hand hem
| stitching, with monographs or orests In
| choice work or with fine drawn work bor-
dering. The spreads and counterpanes are
works Of art, tho decorative patterns in
which represent days of patient execu
ton by expert fingers.
Orders for these, and for the dressing
| table and bureau scarfs and draperies
| that accompany them, are placed months
beforehand, and the skilled free-hand
embroiderers, whose ranks have greatly
| increased Of late, were never 30 busy as
now. 1t is an industry in which experience
enters largely as qualification, and the
best linen embroidery comes high, fancy
prices being paid not only to the needle
| worker, but to the designer OF original
patterns and of novel effects In the use
and application Of the standard ideas.
Some Of the costly counterpanes have
insertions Of handsome linen laces, the
Jennings where lace and linen fabric come
together being almost designed by the
hand embroidered pattern, the objects
in which form 10 many claw-like figures
TO rivet it in. Handmade linen insertions
from Russia, Belgium and Holland are
! set in such fine counterpanes and COM
panion pieces.
Certain Of these elegancies arc enriched
with patterns OF Spanish embroidery
raised work that has a character to be
told among a dozen other styles. De-
signs of Hindu and Chinese character are
exquisitely executed upon other costly
pieces. And also adaptations from famous
pieces Of Mexican art and historic tapestry,
tribute to the ancient nations well-known
facility for artistic handicraft, Many Of
the finely decorated linen spreads are
finished with fringe knotted by hand with
the threads Of the border.