The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-02-03
NEW ACCOMPLISHMENT
FOR THE YOUNG FOLKS

w.
the background, leaving the design
either IN high or low reliaf. according to
,ihe taste OF the crufs worker. As a ,uls
the block in which the design IS in marked
relief gives the best results. However.
this is 4 mere matter OF taste and can he
cut in either fashion.
II is the aim. OF course, In block print
ing to press the block on a pad OF color
and then upon the material, thus getting
the precise Impression of the dcslSn. It,
is applied at regular intervals over the
surface of the textile. and, as may be
imagined, the effect is not only highs
Original, but Invariably extremely artistic
as we'll.
Even a very simple block used with
ordinary printing ink will produce the
most artistic results. and q set OF bed
hanglngs of unblcacied muslin done for
an old fashioned four poster. recently
seen. were simply stunning. And the
common red Ink of commerce II, applied
to the same material is capable of wOnd-
derfully effective results. Formerly bed
spreads and bed hanglnKs were printed In
this fashion. and it is u not at all un-
common sight to see a square of such Il
spread framed and hung up In u home
where old fashioned things are loved for
their artistic as Well As practical value.
Naturally the utilization Of c0lors adds
tremendously and Is productive Of much
more artistic results.
AS soon as the block Is ready then
comes the consideration of the color pad.
There there is still another chance OF Sc
lection. Cheese cloth in many layers is
sometimes used as a foundation for the
pad, but, generally speaking, several lay
ers OF felt are preferred. Best Of all is
to select q square of wood quite a bit
larger than the block and cover with sew
eral thicknesses OF felt. This should be
tackled in place; otherwise it will slide
and become annoying. A piece of glass is
sometimes used. OF ever a plate. but
neither is so we'll liked as the wood for
the foundation.
over the pad the color is spread. The
wood block is pressed into the color and
stamped quickly and firmly on the ma
terial. A different pressure will be needed
according to the quality of the material
used. A light pressure is given a thin
material and a firm impression such a
fabric as burlap or crash. In fact, the
latter frequently must be hammered In
order to receive Il perfect impression both
as to line and color.
1t Is the aim to get a good impression
we'll colored without too much paint. so
that 1t is best after pressing the block
on the pad TO wipe off any snperfluous
color with a piece OF waste cloth that it
Is advisable TO have at hand. In fact, 1t
Is always safest to test the result on some
odd pieces OF material before putting it
to the final test.
Not only inks and oils, but dyes and the
opaque colors may be used. but either
dextrine, mucilage or some nxative must
be added to give the proper consistency.
Ii oils are used they should first. be di-
luted with turpentine or kerosene and then
thickened with dextrine. the idea being to
give the color with the least amnunt OF
paint used. The same method is followed
with the dyes and opaque colors. though
TO the former NAV be added Sin)n1v nIiCi.
lage.
Great care should he taken lest the color
lie In too great quantities on the left, else
the block will take up too much and the
design be spoiled. Many craft workers pre-
fer to apply the color TO the block with a
broad fiat brush. and this plan is adopted
In the classes at the Y. w. c. A.. where
some OF the best block printing in the city
Is done by the students. The color is
mixed in precisely the same way with gum
done away with. -
1e af s4ln, Il ! 81 {sssk 4 e gfi e. s9.t . .ss fassIs
! tree from creases 80 that the design shall
be printed evenly. Some girls take an
old ironing board anQ lay oyer It several
~eSkn Of cloth. over which the fabric
material aids In obtaining a correct i'm
preston and transfers the paint more
evenly to the goods. 1t Is always adyis-
able to take advantage OF whatever aids
one may, such as using pins to guide the
eye in placing the design correctly.
Should one block be placed out of align
ment it will be apt to spoil the whole nat
tern. In printing stamp quickly and
firmly.
This sort Of work is practical. for thu
reason that If done In oils the bureau
covers. cushion covers and the like NAV
De laundried-if carefully done-without
injuring the design. A set Of curtains
in the Illustration gives an idea Of what
may be accomplished in block printing by
experts in the art. In this case the blocks
were or several sizes and shapes, and as
there is a block for every color. 1T can
readily be seen what exquisite results can
be obtained. The curtains are quite as
handsome as any that are imported. and
though the preparation of the blocks
meant a good deal OF work, once cut they
can be used indefinitely. TIL adaptation
OF designs is another interesting feature,
for a girl OF ingenuity can pick up pretty
patterns limos anywhere II she uses her
eyes and is clever with tracing paper. Az
a matter Of fact, 1t does not require talent
or genius. simply a little dexterity in
manual movements and the stick-to-itive-
ness to persevere to the end.
Bed curtains. bed spreads, cushion COW
ers and divan covers. kimonos, the scarf
oA'""lo ~ pCpuidil u latS ana d CnOuSdnQ
and one dainty things for household and
personal wear can be decorated in block
printing. And il a girl in possessed Of
really artistic taste she can go further
and copy a scene. a landscape onto a
block. touch 1t up with the proper color
ing and make the impression on rice pa
per, and she will lave q most charming
Japanese print. broad and impressionable
in scheme perhaps. buA a truly effective
thing that she will not hesitate to hang
on the wall or frame it in passepartout
fashion FOR q friend. 1t il the coming
craft and another year will see the num-
Der OF workers in 1t not only doubled but
trebled.