Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-17

TOLD
HINTS

and the tedious STITCH stitch stitch" of
our foremothers have given way to the at
fractions Of the linen sale and bargain
counter, and the hum of sewing machine,
St Distaff still holds her own in midwinter,
just as surely as she did in Elizabethan
days. Now as then, it Is the plenishing Of
the family linen that is in order, though
closets and wardrobes galore have supp.ant-
ed the "oaken chest" carved or otherwise,
that formerly sufflced to hold the home
spun, home-woven, home-sewed bed, table
and body linen for the family.
Frocks and frills come later in the sea-
son. along with the "livelier iris" on the
FURNISHED dove. and the spring styles, but
January holds the corner on white sew
Ing" 1t was A. T. Stewart. years ago, who
started the January linen sales" in this
country, precedent now followed even in
the remotest towns.
With the taking down of the Christmas
decorations the shop windows burst into
fair white bloom of artistically disposed
napery. sheets and pillow cases, towels
and blankets and ready-made underwear.
In buying table linen the Irish damask
which Is grass blea ched, Is usually con-
sidered best The French loses its gloss
and the Scotch is partially bleached with
chlorine. which weakens the fiber A good
plan is to get the half-bleached, which
soon gets white. A poor, sleazy linen is
never economical. A good quality looks
cred patent Of nobility. An all-over de-
sign or running pattern is to be pre-
ferred In the medium quality of damask
10 cloth that has much plain surface,
WINE the snoW-drop and other scattered
designs may be selected in the more ex-
pensive cloths The term double" damask
means a heavy linen. 1t is not, however,
necessarily more expensive nor yet better
q CT r1n DO, ,,11r
When cutting table linen cut by the pat
tern, winch is the same as cutting by the
tnread The thread makes the pattern, and
II you follow the pattern, which takes less
time than pulling the thread, you will
achieve the same result.
The simple rolled hem done by hand
should finish the raw edges of all damasks.
table cloths and napkins, unless a hem
stitch is preferred. In this case the table
cloth usually has a two-inch hem and the
napkins are finished with an inch hem.
Table cloths cut from the web are much
While there is much to be said in favor
Of the overworked householder getting
many things ready made whenever posi-
bic, every woman, rich or poor. should
know how to sew. There are many gar
ments that are much better made at home
I'VE venture to predict" says Mrs. A. L.
JesSup, superintendent of domestic art in
Tie pubic ScnOOlS OF Manhattan, that our
eHortS in industrial training are going to
bring around new order of things in the
rising generation The mother of the fu-
ture will know how to plan and make the
garments for herself and children. She
will recognize the fact that for the same
money now spent in cheap, tawdry ready
made clothing she can purchase material
OF good quality and design, and having
been taught how to repair and keep this
clothing in order, there will be economy in
expenditure. rSaGv-ma6R re
bought by the poor are In themselves in
furious to self-respect and Industry Made
of the poorest possible fabrics, they are so
badly sewed and put together that a slight
acquaintance with the wash tub reduces
them to hopeless rags. The lime-filled
muslin or poorly dyed prints are not en-
couraging material on which to place
neatly made darn or patch. It is easier to
it, and II there is no money for the new
garment, the rags must hold together a lit
tie longer
The training in the public day schools,
which works for eventual reformation in
the homes. begins when the little ones are
about seven years old. First comes the
teaching Of stitch and seam, but as soon
as possible after securing certain amount
Of accuracy the child Is given something
to make. The material is all furnished by
the board Of education. The first articles
made are very simple. SO as not to overtax
the skill of the little worker. She may
her doll, running ribbon through the top,
because she has not yet learned how to
gather and place belt; may make a bag
for her work. or a dolly or mat for use in
her home. This is in the first half years
course. In the next half year the chill
dren, after drafting to scale their pat
terms. make miniature underwaists and
skirts, shoulder aprons. kmonas, shirt
waists and dress skirts. They are instruct
ed in textiles, learning the names OF the
different fabrics and the dbers from which
they are made Repairing and mending
form an important part of the course. and
small looms are now being procured which
will give each child an opportunity to
weave piece Of cloth for herself. Especial
attention Is paid to economy in use az ma
terial and, as far possible, to harmony
of color.
The sewing days. when one sticks close
to the house and the fire burns bright, are
the very days for the good old-fash Ioned
scalloped dishes-oysters. onions, potatoes,
salmon, Goldfish, etc.
Scalloped Oysters.-Butter a rather deep
pudding dish and cover the bottom with
thin layer Of cracker crumbs. Season with