The Washington times., 1907-07-20
~ Gloves and c41zats Suitable For Summed Veaz y
MarrIaQe Chest

II is In the embellishing OF household
furnishings that western nations excel.
Only those who have seen a German
marriage chest have any idea how
wonderfully beautiful these domestic
belongings may be made. 1t was once
my good fortune 10 occupy temporarily
the house Of a German woman OF high
rank. Her marriage portion of linen
vas both an inspiration and an educa-
ton. The house was most literally
supplied. but not a quarter OF the box
had been drawn upon. There was enough
and to spare left for future generations.
Everything was tied in bundles OF
dozens with pink linen tape and care
fully labeled, and while the texture and
designs used in the napery were mar
VelOusly beautiful and varied. yet the
embroidered markings with initials and
COronets and running vine designs
tempted a spirit of consciousness hard
10 control. From the dark blue linen
pot filters. iron holders, and dust cloths
up to the finest and most exquisite pill
Sow cases upon which my lady placed
her dainty head. all had Individual
markings. On some were used simple
German cross-stitch, on others the most
exqulsitely fashioned monograms and
initials in circles. or surrounded with
running vines that spread out 10 border
the edges Of the cloth, done In that
quaint old "over and over stitch with
finest cotton thread. This simple form
Of embroidery. in which the outline Is
padded and then worked over with cot
ton, linen. OF silk thread. of course is
more or less mechanical. but Ia the
hands Of OF an artistic worker IL Is sus-
ceptible Of much elaboration, and long
has been used extensively in German,
French. English. and irish handiwork.
Different stitches are added now and
then and called by novel names. and
various cOlOrs employed hold a tenn
pOrary vogue. but the over and over
embroidery found today. not only upon
my lady's undergarments but upon her
outer wraps and gowns, on her napery
and household belongings Of all kinds.
is exactly like that which delighted the
soul of her grandmother and her great
grandmother. too.
It seems to have been dipped in the
fountain OF perpetual youth. For years
America have made a speciality OF over
and over cotton emhI Cidery for personal
and household use, and many women
have learned the ART Tor tl..a PURPOSE
and pleasure OF beautiiying their pos
sessions with their own handiwork.
Only the woman IN whom the instlr.-t
The almost misery delight that is found
in a Well-filled linen closet. containing
hemstitched and embroidered sheets.
pillow cares. toilet table covers. towels.
and uapery. the exquisite needlewOrk
upon them being fashioned after her
own designs and by her own fingers.
II is akin 70 the masculine accumulation
OF stocks and bonds in a safe deposit
box
Nothing IS more pleasing and salts
factory in the way OF needlewOrk than
the over-Gnd-Over cotton embroidery:
others may be more decorative. but not
so lasting. To masculine eyes a woman
Is never more attractive than when en-
gagged IN strictly feminine arts. Dainty
pits OF sewing. whether useful or other
wise. seem 10 hint OF a spirit OF do
mesriCity which IS included in every
mans ideal OF woman.
Towels. napkins. and sheets are now
usually embroidered with initials or
monographs IN this "OVer-and-OVer'
work French cotton or a fine mer-
cerized cotton thread IS used. The lat
ter gives a silky finish 10 the work and
washes much better than silk. Two
inches is the size for the towel letters
and one inch for napkins.