Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-01-27

began to send me samples Of their laces to
copy Some Of these pieces were abso-
lutely invaluable; once lost or destroyed
the particular pattern would DO gone for
ever.
My sister took photographs OF all these
patterns and at the same time / commenced
to form a collection by purchase, exchange
and through the many gifts which repre-
scented the good will Of my people. 1t is
from these samples that many forgotten
stitches have been revived
Many American women who have mar
ried Italians have gone heart and soul into
this work and labor side by side with their
italian friends for the betterment of con-
ditions over there. Generally speaking
they leave the question OF artistic fitness to
the native born, while they handle the
practical interests with great judgment
1.-THE Countess di Brazza, who was Miss
Slocum Of New Orleans is one of these. In
Bologna the Countess Lima Cavazza has a
school for old embroideries. The Marchesa
Eta de VIII de Marco. who was Miss Dun
ham, New York girl, has two schools, a
pillow lace school in the Abruzzi and a
needle embroidery school in Casamasella,
near Otranto Marchesa di Sorbella also
an American woman, who was a Miss
Robert before her marriage has q school
ASeA h6AA LUZ AdES bILCneS IN COlOre0
embroidery. Miss Minnie Luck, an Eng
hsh woman, has a school for pillow lace in
the Abruzzi.
Naturally, in time we turned our atten-
ton TO America This little school is the
result. When tell you that less than two
years ago We started with a capital of
5000 and during the FIRST twelve months
had sold and taken orders for about 5000
worth of goods, you can see that we took
right estimate Of our countrywomen's pos
sibilities.
For the household linen we have re-
vived the use Of the old missal letters, as
they are shown in the illuminated parch-
ments and in the old patterns. These let
tiers are complex enough to suit the most
elaborate taste. or simple, II one prefers,
but their lines are exquisite.
Sometimes we have them inset into the
sheets; sometimes they are merely en-
broidered on them, as taste and economy
suggest For the towels we use a great
deal of the old blue linen embroidery and
smaller letters of the same missal origin.
1.-THE most popular article we have sold,
both in New York and in London is the
so-called Dante hood. You can't look at
one OF them without recalling an old Italian
picture. Nearly every household that
boasts any kind of lace collection has a
AdhADSA VI IlGoo caps anu MANY patterns.
They are becoming to nearly every face
and are being used extensively as opera
hoods Some Of the patterns cost $40, some
800, but they are well worth what they
cost, for they cannot be duplicated in
cheaper wares.
Many OF these laces are exact copies OF
drawings found in frescoes In old Italian
palaces and churches. The only two hand
looms in the world for making the filet or
net, which forms the groundwork Of many
of the most beautiful patterns, are located
In Rome and are the property Of the So
ciety. Some Of the filet is made, as we
do it here, with needle. but for the larger
pieces the loom work is more practical,
time for the classes to use.
''rhe italian women are very fond Of
bags; they use them for half a hundred
purposes for the handkerchief, for the
half finished embroidery, for the laundry,
and models OF many bags are shown from
the tiny one that holds the piece Of lace
called handkerchief to the solid mass OF
embroidery that opens for the sofa cushion.
These many bags are finished with the
quaint fastenings that centuries ago took
the place of buttons, oblong bits of solid
embroidery that slip into eyelets.
MANY of the articles have another his
torical finishing, the little tassels. like
punches OF white currants called ciondiliti
familiar 10 every Lace worker and lace
lover OF Italy. Sometimes on the doilies
pendant, daintily attached. the copy OF a