Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-26
NEW TABLE LIN EN- s
HEMsTITCHING IS NOT USED ON
PLAIN TABLECLoTHS.
Beauties of Doilies and Centerpieces
Done in japanese EN-
broidery.

Written for The Star.
Never was such an array of beautiful
table linens spread out to the prospective
purchaser as that from which the faii
bride may choose. 1t is simply bewndering
in its loneliness. Even matrons whose
dover chests have long been filled are un-
able to resist the charms of the new linens
and combinations of lace and hand en-
brodery which are being offered among
trousseau linen outfits for table USE.
Plain tablecloths and napkins are made
up very simply with ordinary or overland
hemming. Hemstitching of any kind sug-
gests bed room linen, and Is not in favor
for the finer weaves. A single large letter
In old English script marks the napkins,
and one corner of the tablecloth. One OF
the latest fances is to have the initial
or monogram directly in the center of the
napkin.
Among the more elaborate linens a dam
ask cloth for the dinner hour shows rich
satin finish. with immense flower designs
standing out in dull relief. All patterns
this fall are large. Very stunning Is
single orchid design scattered carelessly
over the entire cloth. Another lovely de-
sign shows autumn leaves on the central
portion of the cloth. while graceful sheaves
of wheat form a wide border.
Coverings FOR circular tables have CEN
trail pattern which is the shape and size of
same design falls over the edges.
The regulation tabecloth, however, plays
little part these days in the dressing OF
the festive board except on formal occa-
sions. Breakfast and luncheon cloths CEN
terpieces and doilies are much more con-
venient for ordinary use. They are also
less troublesome to launder.
Breakfast Cloths.
For breakfast cloths white or natural
colored linen is edged with blue pink or
yellow borders. Small hemstitched napkins
match these in color and design. With COL
ored linens. hemstitching is preferred 20
fringed edges. NouVeau art patterns are
being employed extensively for the colored
borders. such as conventionalized butter
cups. peoples, etc. On more expensive
cloths enormous roses or fleur de lis, mag
nificently shaded. outline the table top or
form an artistic cluster in the center.
In the realm of handwork on doilieS and
centerpieces Irish embroidery is the most
serviceable and best able to withstand hard
usage. This is simply a fine satin stitch
which stands out very decidedly from the
linen. Medium-sized round doiles, with
centerpiece to match, have delicately seal
Hoped and buttonholed edges inside Of
which are narrow borders of margueriteS,
shamrocks or similar minute designs.
Dolly sets of Japanese and Chinese en-
broidery on japanese grass linen are en-
joying a tremendous vogue. Chrysanthe-
NUNS or carna tions, done both in white
and dark blue merceriZed cotton, decorate
the sheer linen. One very striking set
shows sapphire blue dragons in a network
| of blue vines. These sell as low as Sc and
$40 a dozen.
a Seasons Fad.
a fad of the season is a long, narrow
| centerpece covering the middle of the table
| from end to end, with smallest size doilies
| for protecting the polished table at each
| end. Most exquisite is centerpiece of
| this description bOrdered with two narrow
| 81 rlands of English eyelet work, inter
| 2epted by band of fine renaissance lace.
| A narrow edging of renaissance lace fin
| ishes the embroidery, and each of the cor
| ners is inset with a square of the hand
made lace.
The newest centerpieces show very little
renaissance lace, except as in the example
just mentioned, in connection with hand
embroidery If dolly table scarf has
| a border of renaissance lace, padded flower
designs in colored silks are embroidered on
| the braid.
| Filet lace for table covers and center
| pieces has not lost a whit in popularity
| An exceptionally handsome circular CEN
| terpiece has a wide border ,omposed of
| alternate acknowledged pieces of flet
| lace and the very finest eyelet work. Large
| table covers of heavy damask show an in
| rtion of Cluny lace outlining the table
/ top and the border, while motifs of filet
! lace decorate the center or corners of the
| cloth.