The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1904-11-03
CHAMPION EMBRo1DERER.
Bo'sun's Mate on Boston Devotes Spare
Time to Needlework.

i IDO sun MALI IOSIOlL IPGNQIGS fODJI6
Time to Needlework
A 2OO-pound sailor adept at the art
Of ennbroidering is Charles Wilson,
boatswain's mate and pride Of the
cruiser Boston.
Wilson is nearly 6 feet tall, thick
set for his inches, weatherbeater, and
has an air of huskiness, suggestive Of
his ten years In the navy, with sea
fight or two and countless minor adj
ventures. He is square awed and
handsome by sailor standards.
On the gun deck of the Boston, in
hours of freedom from duty, the men
gather in groups, some playing cards,
while others watch the changes of luck
over their shoulders.
The largest group Of all $ that which
surrounds Charles Wilson at his fancy
work. The circle about the lone per-
former has in it old tars and slim
apprentices, and they watch with fas-
lcinated eyes and highest appreciation
the skill Of the artist and the marveis
which he produces for sailor wear.
l 1llSy call ttlI sew u lllllG anu lluSl
keep their own kits In order. But 1t
| is beyond the best Of them at the
needle to bring forth the color effects
and achieve the neatness of which
Charles Wilson has become master.
| Wilson usually erabroiders sitting on
| a low rocker, with hts box Of silks be-
| side him. On one knee he holds the
strip Of regulation service cloth, rich
deep blue flannel, and with his, fingers,
thinbleless, he deiicately pushes his
needle through The pattern, combining
colors with the taste Of Oriental artists,
from whom he learned to enbroider.
| He has made dozens of ankle pieces
and belts for his messmates, and
adorned the sailors caps with nautical
| figures in all the colors Of the rain
bow.
| The handsome belts Of service cloth,
broad as the space Of q mans short
RIDES to his hips, laced UP the back with
silk tape, woven with strands of bright
est six and embroidered in half a
dozen figures popular among seafarers,
are as useful as they are attractive,
4 for they conceal under the decorative
flaps half d dozen compartments for a
sailors valuables
! The ankle or leg purses, as they are
called, are much the same thing, but
contain only one compartment. But
they are ornate to a degree.
! His designs are all sorts, though
chiefly of the kind that appeal to a
sailor anchors, capsrans, compasses,
stars, propellers, shields, wheels and
Iotfer nautical figures
These are drawn carefully by meas
urernent ON cardboard and cut out.
The design is laid on the cloth and out
lined In chalk Embroidering rings OF
cedar, light and dainty, are used to
stretch the cloth, inclosing the design,
which presently appears emblazoned
forth.
Some Of the co1oring Is limited by the
subject. The shield Of the battleship
must be done in red, white and blue.
Where this is not the case some of VIII
sons effects are elaborate. He has a
star on his latest belt in Is different
shades. So carefully are they blended
and contrasted that the general effect
is of artistic fitness.
The sailor makes his purses and belts
for the pleasure Of the work, but when
they are finished his messmates will
not let him keep them. He does not
like to sell, but is bribed into it by the
admiration of the would-be buyer. He
expects to get $40 for splendid belt
which Is his latest piece of handiworA