The National tribune., 1907-05-23
By SONORA SARA. y

want of a very fine thread? Well, here
is an idea. 1t amounts to very little
as an economy, but as convenience its
proportion is great. The very incest
fine thread you can have for sewing is
the warp of fine lawn. But 1t must be
the warp and not the cross-thread. The
next time you tear off selvage, instead
of feeling annoyed at the long threads
which come loose, wind them on a spool
for future use. They will be very
handy. You will find them quite strong
and much nicer to work with for very
fine sewing than is 4 manufactured
thread of the same thickness. In max
ing fine ties by hand, for instance if
the hens are sewed with this warp. not
single stitch will be visible. and the
sewing will last as long as if made
with manufactured cotton.
In making colored dresses, this same
plan is a good one to follow in regard
to any specially dainty little piece of
sewing. as one IS sure of a good
match" Also it Is well to have on hand
such threads to use for darning should
the color, but the fiber and exact thick
ness.
Very few people really know the art
of mending kid gloves, so they will be
wearable for some time. To make the
work as wei! as the glove presentable,
buttonhole closely with a good brand OF
sewing silk the exact color of the glove
tear or split After finishing the first
row Of buttonholing, making a second
row. and continue until the space is
filed. By so doing a network is formed
over the tear and is very durable, and
not apt to give way if perfectly done.
If any of the seams split, buttonhole
the rent once around, and then whip
together both edges. If there is a
bad tear between the fingers the but
tonkaiing should not be done too close
ly or 90 tight, the netting again serving
ing. The same buttonhole stitch may
be applied when the buttonhole itself
tears away from the glove button.
rather pretty fad this season is
the embroidery corset cover. THAT is
nothing new" says some one. 1--WE
have done those for years" Perhaps
you have, but have you ever done them
in color?
If not, you should do so at once.
Work the scallops, eyelets for the rib
bon and whatever floral spray is used,
i'm some delicate color Forget-me-
nots in pale blue or tiny pink rosebuds
are favorite motifs. Ribbon the same
shade as the embroidery is drawn thru
the eyelets.
This embroidery may be done either
in mercerized cottons or in flo silk.
There seems to be rather a prejudice
against using silk on lingerie materials,
yet in colors it generally launders better
than the cottons. The white silk, how
ever, is not to be advised. as it turns
very yellow. Instead, use a good quail
ty of merceriZed cotton.
If you care for color under a sheer
blouse, such a corset cover is really
very effective, and is not at all diff
terms that slip on over the head. This
is much better style than to have an
opening down the front.
An expensive dress, badly stained,
should be sent to the cleaners as soon
as possible. Amateurs are very seldom
really successful in removing bad stains,
as, like most other things, practise is
necessary. When sending. state what
was spilled over it, and also say wheth-
err or not You have attempted to re-
move the stain. The best plan is to
leave 1t alone. as this gives the cleaners
a fairer chance than they can possibly
have if you have used what may be an
unsuitable cleaning agent first.
When running brass rods thru win
dow curtains. put an old glove finger
over the end that is being pushed thru
rial is apt to tear.
Salt moistened with vinegar will re-
move burnt marks from enameled
saucepans and dishes; but don't forget
that they should be soaked in cold soda
water for a few hours first to loosen
the stains.
Mounted photographs. if soaked for
a little while in cold water, can be peel
ed off the mounts very easily. Pin
down on blotting paper, and paste on
new mounts when dry. 1t often hap
pens that much priced one gets dam
aged or soiled, and a fresh mount will
give it new lease of life.
When Spring cleaning, all polished
furniture should be carefully wiped
over with cloth wrung out of luke
warm vinegar and WATERFALL a tea
cupful to a gallon. You viii probably
be surprised to find how dirty the cloth
gets. Afterward polish with furniture
cream and soft busters in the usual
way.
If furniture looks smeary after pol
ishing you may be pretty certain that
too much polish was used. Very little.
indeed. is really needed, only just
enough to smear quite thinly over the
surface.
The marble top--or, rather, the imi-
tation marble top-of a quite cheap
washstand makes an excellent pastry
slab, and in these days of badly made
and therefore quickly worn-out furni-
ture is often available.
When hands perspire too freely it is
a sign of nervousness. Note how a ner-
vous person keeps the hands constantly
in motion, altho by no means is this
the cause of the affection. Too much
moisture on the hands will soil dainty
sewing, ruin gloves, and is really dis
agreeable in many respects. To dip the
hands in very hot water. then cold. rub
bling alcohol and boracic acid into the
palms, is one good remedy for the trou-
BILE. Powder does little good, while an
astringent is always beneficial.
After drying, the fiannels may be fin
ished by folding evenly, or. if preferred,
by ironing with cool iron.
This without doubt gives them
much better appearance. But as the
warmth of flannel depends to a great
extent on its soft, woody surface, it is
a pity TO deprive it of this by ironing,
in the case of garments that
are worn as underwear.
Ironing presses the soft fibers into
the material, making it less comfort
able. They should instead be well shak-
en- and pulled into good order folded