The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1904-12-17
HOUSEHOLD LORE.
clothes, Table Linsa anA
DOtNeo.

For the outer covering Of beds there
are all sorts of pretty and novel things
in white and colors. Possibly the hand
soonest are those of heavy linen. EN-.
broidered in white by hand. Some OF
the more elaborate have the whole CEN
ter embroidered, q broad embroidered
border outlined with drawn work and
. wide hem finished with row OF
drawn work at the head. On brass
beds these quilts take the place OF
the valence, hanging down on all sides.
The monogram frequently appears
at one side Of the embroidery CEN
ter. The durable Marseilles quilts
come both plain woven and embrotd-
cred, in white or In colors, says the
Washington Star.
The fancy for embroidery also ex-
tends to the finish Of sheets and pill
low cases. "Shams" are still much used,
though many housekeepers prefer
cases, into which the pillows are but
toned. These are large sad square.
They are laid aside at night. however,
in favor Of smaller pillows with plain
er covers. Monograms or initials for
sheets are two or three inches high
and worked In the center just about
the hem. For pillow cases the letters
are smaller.
Sheets for double beds should be
three yards long before hemming. This
allows for a three-inch hem at the top,
one-half the width at the bottom, and
leaves the sheet little more than 2A
yards long after shrinkage in washing.
A sheet large enough to tuck under
and stay where 1t is put is the only kind
sure to be q comfort to the user. The
thrifty English fashion Of covering the
ends Of comfortabies with width OF
thin muslin or cheese cloth, which can
be removed and washed whenever
soiled is one that commends itself to
all housekeepers. The untoward tend
ency Of light-c0i0sed comforts to show
soiiing where they. are tucked under
the neck of the sleeper is in this way
obviated.
In purchasing table linen the cream
weave will be found more durable than
the white or half bleached. While pat
tern tablecloths are more desirable
for "best" than those cut from the
web, the latter will be found much
cheaper for everyday use. Cheap,
sleezy damask is never advisable, the
loose weave rendering 1t poor invest
ment, in point of service. The me-
dunn grades of either Scotch or Irish
make will be found unequaled fof sat
isfactory wearing qualities. Before
hemming tablecloth see that 1t is cut
by the pattern. The thread makes the
pattern and II one follows the pattern
1t takes less time than pulling the
thread. While hemstitching makes a
pretty finish. 1t cannot endure hard
usage, and 10, therefore, Inappropriate
for cloths that have to be frequently
Numbered. The best way to hem
everyday linen Is to turn and haste
narrow hem, then folding the hem
back again on the right side Of the
cloth, sew the hem to the cloth by hand
in an over-and-over seam. Then fiat
ten and press the hem in place. The
monogram or initial Of the house mis-
tress should be wrought diagonally in
one corner in white linen or outline
silk.
A new wrinkle In luncheon cloths is
to have them woven in two tints, yell
low and white, pink and white or
green and white. With gold banded
china the yellow and white combine
tion Is remarkably effective. Nothing,
however, IL in better taste than the
rich, thick. solid linen which is usu-
ally handsomely decorated by hand
embroidery or border sprays and a
center garland large enough to sur
round vase OF flowers or fruit piece.
The pure white affords a capital
background for crystal and silver as
well as fancy doilies and pretty dishes.
Quantities Of doilies are now sold, so
many people using them without. o
tablecloth for breakfast and luncheon
on Sunday night tea. Those of heavy
linen with solid white embroidery are
most durable and exceedingly popu-
lar. Very effective also are the jap
anese grass linen sets, which come in
both white and colored embroidery
with Japanese floral designs.