The Washington herald., 1914-04-18
THE TOWEL AS A
USEFUL GIFT

The dictionary explains that a towel is
a cloth used for drying after washing.
A towel is this and a great deal more
besides Few people will appreciate any
gift more than a towel Towels can be
used equally well for bureau covers, for
cases for fine waists. for porch chairs,
laundry bags and numerous other ar
ticles. II porch chairs have not regular
covers a towel thrown over the back TO
protect perishable summer clothes from
the dust is quite Indispensable.
People possess towels galore and never
seem to have too many. Just think
whether you have ever heard house
keeper complain of the number OF towels
which she owns Never! For towels are
one Of the indispensable things in house
that are in constant use.
So, my friend, don't sit back and sigh
in a hopeless manner because you can
not give an appropriate wedding gift to
a friend who is to be married. Just get
busy and begin embroidering on towel.
A young friend of mine does this when
ever she receives a wedding invitation or
an announcement and wishes to have
her friends know that she thinks of them
even IL she cannot give a more elaborate
present.
This girl rarely gives any other gift
but a towel-which she knows will be
appreciated-for she has no particular
income of her own and even small
gift means a certain denial on her part
Of something she wants and ofttimes
needs But she feels fully repaid for any
unselfishness when she hears the delight
cd exclamations of her friends.
They all voice their pleasure when
towels are given TO them and end by
saying:
You know, one can never have too
many towels"
And when a girl gives an embroidered
monogramed or crocheted towel she may
be sure that no matter what the wealth
of the recipient her gift will be appreciat-
ed and received with pleasure.
II one has little time to put on the
embroidery a towel can be purchased
with hemstitched ends and stamped A
very pretty pattern comes stamped with
baskets containing flowers and these
are worked in French knots.
Cross-stitched patterns are especially
attractive. Booklets can be purchased
with various designs. some quite easy,
while others are more intricate.
Many designs are planned for children
il a towel is to be given to a little
one OF to a mother for the use of an
infant.
If one cannot or does not wish to
bother drawing ones own design many
patterns can be transferred by using
carbon paper.
particularly dainty towel can be
made by crocheting a little edge with
Irish linen thread. The towel can be
made more elaborate by crocheting
strips of Irish insertion and used on
the end of the towel with the Irish
edge and insertion.
One girl who visits great deal among
her married friends always endeavors
to retain their hospitality by sending
them dainty towel which she has
made.
Another form of a towel is a Russian
crash one Russian crash is hand
woven and very inexpensive. Very pref
ty towels can be made for use on ia
bles and chairs. The ends can be hem
stitched with heavy linen thread and
many pretty designs can be stenciled
upon them.
Artists particularly like these for their
studios These towels are most attract
i've when hemstitched and then en-
broidered with colored floss at the ends.
use is endless.
One artist friend said she could not
very well spare her crash cover. but
that this made such an excellent table
cover for an invalid table. For the
toweIing is so heavy that when things
are spilled they are not likely to go
through.
One woman uses these crash towels
for her sideboard and serving table. Her
dining room is an old-fashioned room.
with big furniture. and a huge stone open
fireplace This Russian crash toweling
goes well with the heavy furniture. which
includes a settee. And Russian crash
wears forever,