Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-17
New P0rtiereS.

Burlap has invaded almost every class
Of feminine handiwork; it's simple. coarse
texture makes it desirable for the heavier
kind Of needlework. From the burlap
pillow it is only step to the burlap por-
there. which often is stenciled and en-
broidered with the same pattern. Hand
embroidered portieres have been conspicu-
Gus at recent state and county. fairs,
their cheapness, simplicity and individ-
uality having recommended them to the
housewife who believes in individual ex-
preston in her house furnishings.
When the foundation of the por.tiere is
Of choice burlap many variations are pos
sible. Raffia and burlap when the colors
are discreetly chosen, make a. chic COM
bination. About four inches from the
hem the fiber is drawn out for wide
space as your tastes may decide. The
raff1a then is woven i'm and out Of the
cross threads until the space is completely
and evenly filled in. This raffia weaving
may be limited to a border at the upper
and lower hem or to one length and
width. II desired 1t may extend clear
around the portiere, forming a perfect
rectangle. If care is taken to get the
corners smooth and accurate the effect rs
quite satisfying.
Drawnwork patterns used for center
pieces also have been found quite suitable
for an openwork portiere of Russian
crash and plain tapestry. The threads
were drawn out and worked by the same
method used for linen and the fiber
naming generally is strong enough for
the needle. Beads may be worked in with
the needle il desired. perhaps methodical-
ly enough to outline figure or design
provided for in the pattern. Openwork
pOrtiereS in dark shades are as pretty as
they are novel, and IL we do not tolerate
erratic styles for the living room a por-
there Of this cort Is beyond reproach for
a den or bedroom.
Corduroy, the cotton and silk rep and
the tapestry velyets can now be bought
| in all colOrs by the yard and made UP
with little labor. If your tastes incline to
| the elaborate some Persian band borders,
which may be bought ready made. can
| easily be applied. Homemade braided
| ing from recent exhibits-the braid run
| ming in a more or less intricate pattern
| along the edge and well into the cor
| ners. Soutache and rat tall braid are
used most generally on the rep and vel
vet.
| The endless variety of designs in tapes
| tries nowadays would enable you to make
| a suitable choice for almost any room, es-
| pecially if it is question of economy
| and the readymade article neither suits
| go we'll with room furnished in dark or
natural wood. and the plain and corded
rep would match almost any room where
a lot of light and air is essential.
The tedious process of crOcheting pOr-
| there's of sila or floss may not appeal to
| the average. but when one considers du-
rability and the beautiful effects obtained
by the clever crochet hooks the task may
be worth the trouble after all when the
evenings long and there aren't too
many other things on the tapis. CrO-
cheted porteres usually call for a COM
bination Of solid and openwork stitch, and
| two more cOlorS may be used to en-
phasize outlines or otherwise help to work
| out the pattern.