Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-06
Fashionable Sumner Bridge Prizes

~ XCESSlVE femininity is the charac
teristic of the summer in all mOdlsh
bridge prizes. No longer does 1t ap-
H pear that silver pieces or other OBJ
jects Dart are given as trophies to
winners of this imperious game. Rather
they are presented with eXquisitely dainty
bits of linen embroideries made up into va
rious articles for personal use. Sometimes
so soft and white and pink is the glow from
a table where bridge prizes are placed that
G cursory glance might suggest the layette
of a newborn baby. Upon examination,
however, these objects prove to be sofa
cushions, just to fit in the curve of the neck;
veil and handkerchief cases and huppes, the
French word for powder puff cases; even
embroidered linen hats have lately been
given prizes.
An interesting thing to note also to the
gifts in vogue is that they are mostly for
my ladys personal use. The little head
cushions, already mentioned. are perhaps
twelve inches long by seven wide, and eX
cellent examples of the popular English cut
work on linen. This decorated outer cover
of linen, however, IS adjustable over a silk
lining, usually by means of buttonholes and
a ribbon holding the two sides together.
The reason for this arrangement naturally
is that the linen part may be Numbered.
Very small linen pin cushions are used for
bridge prizes, never, however for a first
prize, as their value is too trfiing. Their
purpose Is for the keeping together of innu-
nlerable little lace and veil pins. neces-
sary in the putting on of summer toilets.
Sometimes they are shaped as crescents, or
again ovals; they very seldom are round.
The huppeS are made simply OF very line
linen handkerchief, in the center of which
is fastened a round piece of swansdown.
Over this the handkerchief draws together
with narrow white satin strings The puff
part then can be tucked under the belt or
up the sleeve. leaving only the handkerchief
edges showing. Through the warm days Of
summer they are most convenient little
articles to carry In travelling In fact.
French women use them very openly at the
races and various out-of-door places.
The desire to only such things as are
tubable through the summer seems to be
well accumulated in the fashionable bridge"
prize Perhaps also q parsimony in origi-
nality is suggested by them. 1t is now the
custom to have the prizes for each table
alike. Ten dainty summer portfolios or
be distributed If there are so many tables.
The second. or consolation, prizes also show
no partially, being identical.
Embroidered linen hats and parasols are
chosen for prizes when the party Is small
and there Is but one first prize. And since
no womans wardrobe can boast too many
of these modish things this summer they In
variably are played for eagerly.
Embroidered linen belts among other
womanish things that are now given for
bridge" prizes. They should, OF course, be
on linen of excellent quality, hand embrold-
cred and made up well. Occasionally also
this prize is made valuable by the addition
of handsome buckle.
That linen embroidered things are now so
much given away may partly be accounted
for by the fact that they reign as the popu-
lar veranda fancy work. Many nimble fin
gers are now busy In their making.
1t is not to be thought. however. that any
of these CONNECTIONS are given to men for
prizes. Yet there has been smplification
also in providing for the lords of creation.
Books and boxes of cigars are what they
best appreciate for prizes 20 long a. SUM