Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-03
Mothers Birthday Present

II was to be mothers birthday In week.
and Of course Gertrude wanted to give her
q present But 10 tell the truth. she had
spent all her money at the circus a few
days before. and so was terribly worried to
know what to do. Aunt Nellie happened
to drop in Just as a most anxious frown
was gathering on Gertrudes face, and she
instantly demanded the cause.
Goodness, Is that air. exclaimed
Auntis, when she had listened to the sad
story. Why don't you make her some
thing yourself? There must be plenty or
material in the house"
But. Aunt Nellie there's not" answered
Gertrude. IAN I have is piece OF
chamois and about two yards of ribbon.
What could L ever make from thatT'
Lots of things said auntie. promptly.
But have an idea Let's first look IN the
slIk-piece bag and see If we can't find
piece large enough for something pretty
TO make | have IN mind"
Accordingly they both went up into the
attic and rummaged around until the piece
bag was finally brought TO light. AuntIe
plunged her hand down into its lnnermost
depths and after pulling and pokinS
among some useless scraps. at last drew
forth in triumph several good-sized pieces
OF white silk.
The very thing" she cried, waving 1t in
the air, these. are some pleCe& AelL IiOhi
your last summers party dress Tome
downstairs now and we'n get to work.
Gertrude was delighted. and soon had
needle and thread and scissors all In readl-
ness.
II think It would be nice" said Aunt Mel
lie. "to make mother a little case to keep
her breastpins In when she travels. you
know papa and she are always going on on
trips"
Have I enough of chamois2'' asked
Eartr1ida holding IL
Plenty" said auntie, land your two
yards Of ribbon viii be more than enough TO
tie II with. Now you sit down and follow
my directions and Wen have nice nttle
case all done In no time"
First cut piece from the channels nine
inches long and five and one-haf inches
wide, and then a piece of the silk nine ana
q half inches long and six inches VIDE.
This you see. allows half an inch to turn
over and fasten down to the channels by
catstitching. which will take you some
time to do so l will show you how and
then YOU can finish it, while l write some
letters. AS your ribbon is pink. go look in
the sewing silk bag for some pink silk"
Gertrude found some. and the lesson in
catstitching began. 1t took her long time
10 do 1t neatly, for first the silk had TO be
turned over the chamoIs, particular care
being taken with the corners and then
basted down. before they could be cat
stitched.
Gertrude did # all beautifully and Aunt
Nellie was much pleased.
The case is now all DONE" she said, "ex-
cepting to fasten on the ribbon, which
won't take but a few moments. Cut or
piece a little longer than half yard, cut
il in two and fasten both pieces to the
same end of the case about an inch apart.
Then fold ii up. tie IT by wrapping the rib
bon around the case, one piece going one
way and one the other.
This case could have been made Just
as we'll by using flannel instead OF channels,
II you hadn't happened TO have the latter
Now" concluded auntie, don't ever
tell me again that there's nothing to make
something useful from in every house"