South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-10-20
Color and Stitch
Suggest Seasons
Real Art Embroidery Calls
for Imagination as Well
as Skilful Fingers.

Did you ever think that there is
embroidery for cool days and en-
broiderv for warm weather? Possibly
7 not. Nevertheless. an embroidered
centerpiece or cover that would look
well in the sprightly days of fall and
winter might be positively suffOcating
in effect in warm weather, while a
certain kind of cover in room upon
a cool day might add a little note Of
chillineSs that is not at all desirable
For instance. water lilies hardly add,
at least mentally. TO ones comfort
when the snow is pelting its icy fakes
against the windows, but they would
be a refreshing glimpse for the eye on
a midsummer'S day The authority
in interior decoration takes all of
these small details into consideration,
and the result is beauty.
For winter then, ii is necessary to
have embroidery in white or in rich
warm colOrs that are seen in the fall
flowers-warm yellOws, reds, even
pinks, all mixed, perhaps, with greens,
dark brown and, in fact, brown IL all
shades. Blues, reminding one of cool
waters: green's, alone, and blue laven-
ders. all suggest GOODNESS that is well
come only in warm weather. The viO-
lets and pink lavenders have about
them a warmth which gives them en-
trance TO the well-thought-out scheme
or decoration IN winter.
Cross-stitch always has about it,
when in the proper cOlOrs. a sugges-
ton OF warmth and comfort That
ACCOMPANIES no other kind of en-
broidery. Perhaps it is because ii
brings to mind grandmother's day.
with its open fireplaces and its bright
oil lamps than sent out a glow or
warmth to those who crowded about
~ n
q winter evening, and perhaps even
grandmother with piece Of the very
cross stitch we are discussing.
Cross-stitch makes most appropriate
embroidery for the much-used winter
living room. 1t seems to fit in with
the atmosphere of such a room, and
is never too elaborate for the furni-
ture, there being a simplicity about 1t
that makes it adaptable to all kinds
Of surroundings hut the gilded draw
in room 1t seems especially made,
when they are seen together, for mis-
sion furniture, adding just that note
Of color which is required to relieve
the somberness Of mission furniture.
CrOss-stitch articles for the living
room may include table runners;
square covers for any smaller tables
that may be about; cushions galore,
including sofa pillows and foot cush-
ions the cOverlet that is kept tucked
under one of the couch pillows to be
thrown over any one taking short
rest during the day or evening; posi-
bly, mantel throw, etc.
The darning stitch, too, is an excel
lent winter stitch. particularly when
heavy silk or wool or thread is used.
In this as in the cross-stitch, how
ever. color means much. Any bold,
large stitch is more suitable for win
ter interior decoration than the fine,
delicate stitches. The latter are more
fitting for summer materials ana
weather.
When such details as above are
taken into consideration the needle
worker becomes, at least in part, an
artist, and thought and imagination
are put into the beautiful work where
some think that only skillful fingers
are required.