Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-30

Exnectant mothers who desire to prac-
tice economy will find that to make the
fittings and furnishings of baby's bas-
ket is a great saving in the preparations
for the little stranger.
This work Is far less laborious than the
fine stitching that most woman take de-
light in doing at such time. and Incl
Gentally no particular skill is necessary
If instructions are followed.
To begin with. the hamper is the most
popular shape for the basket. but the long
oval basket about four or f1ve inches deep
is cheaper and will supply all the needs OF
the average baby. If one has on hand an
old fat basket that would answer the pur-
pose it can be made 10 look like new by
putting on two coats OF white paint and
lastly a coat Of enamel. A delicate color
may be selected if preferred to white.
The next work is lining the inside Of the
basket For this suitable fabrics. such as
sateen. China silk. kid. cambria and fine
percalne. should be selected Any OF
these will give satisfactory service. The
cambria, of course costs the least. sateen
and 1 percaline a bout the same. while silk
will be more costly. A frill of the chosen
material should be set around the outside
Of the basket after the inside lining is in
place.
d
fumed with violet underlying the lining
not only adds daintiness but keeps the
covering smooth. The frill should be cut
the depth of the basket and Should meas
ure twice the circumference For con-
venience in sewing to the inner lining 1t
Is better to gather the frill into narrow
band.
Pinked or Hemmed Edges.
Silk may be pinked on the edges. but
of cardboard the size of the bottom of the
basket should first be covered with the
wadding then with the color and lastly
with the chosen outer goods Dotted
swiss, the dot very tiny. is usually pre-
ferred for this.
The sides of the basket are then covered
with a strip of the swiss. shirred 1t is
now ready to have the bottom set In. This
is secured by few strong stitches. Then
the frill for the outside Of the basket must
be prepared. This should be cut to the
same dimensions as the frill it will over
lay and should be hemmed on the bottom
and finished with a frill of narrow val
lace The stitching on the hem may be
concealed with rows of narrow ribbon or
a briar stitch worked with SILK In the
chosen color.
The top Of this rufle should be gathered
to show a half inch self-heading which
will stand up when set in place, or 1t may
be simply gathered. sewed to the inner
lining so the scanning will be concealed
by a ruching Of inch-wide ribbon.
The basket is then ready for the fur
nishing. First comes dainty pincushlon:
This up-to-date receptacle is a long roll
like baby bolster and takes up one en-
tire end of the basket.
1t is covered with both the white and
the color that should be cut longer than
the roll, SO that when the ends are tied
with ribbon this surplus forms itself into
frills. which should be edged with lace.
Pocket for Brush and Comb.
Instead Of a pocket for holding the
brush and comb. an arrangement match
ing the roll is set in on the opposite end,
which proves much more convenient than
the oldtime pocket. This can be made
from a large mailing tube. the top part
cut away and the ends fitted with bits OF
cardboard. 1t is then covered with the
cotton. colored goods and the swiss and
tied to the basket. apparently ribbons
passing under the tube few inches from
each end. Bows are used as a finish.
These conceal the stitches which hold the
box to the basket.
On the sides there should be pockets for
receiving the many trihes that help to
make up baby's toilet These should be
made from the colored and the white ma
terials and fashioned SO the fullness can