The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-03-30
FASHIONS ED1cT
By Margaret Mason

"TWith basket on her dimpled arm
Priscilla goes to sew;
I would Iwere that thing of reeds
That sways to and fro,
So I might hang upon her arm
And with Priscilla CO.,
NEW YORK, March 23.-HDon t
put all your eggs in one basket seems
an superfluous adage in these 'eggsorbi-
tant and eggsasperating days when we
never think Of putting our egg any
place but in the safe. Even for the
Croesus who owns a full dozen the bit
Of advice is superfuity, for who
would ever dream of putting all Of any
thing in one basket with such fasci-
mating and bewildering assortment OF
bewitching baskets to make a collection
of.
The days are past when the word
basket conjured up before the mind s
eye nothing save those obling half. bus
hel affairs with a bent wood handle
that invariably left splinters in your
palm or forearm.
Nowadays my lady goes to market to
buy her weekly onion or potato with Il
reed or willow woven confection vivid
with hand painted primitive designs
done by the Russian peasants or the
Guatemala Indians. Or if she has Len
ten leanings toward less ornate color
CT h1,fr hpo toned
Chinese basket of smoked bamboo may
dangle from her arm.
She carries her sewing in a round
Chinese basket Of splendor, close WOW
vari colored beads and Chinese tassel
of silk and gilt. Her knitting she. con-
veys in basket bag Of rafia or sweet
grass. Most anyone would give a darn
for the adorable darning baskets of tin
ted or gilded wicker lined in silks of
rainbow and hue and ornate with fruits
and flowers of cotton stuffed silk, or
tassels and beads from Chinatown.
In the home the basket beautiful
reigns supreme. Shallow baskets OF
toned weave and color made by the
Mexican Indians hold in artistic group
ing the gold Of oranges and the aber
and ruby Of Eve s favorite fruit. The
smoked bamboo baskets also make stun
ming fruit holders.
Exquisitely tinted baskets woven and
dyed at the Association for the Blind
come in every conceivable decorative
shape and are lovely filed with artif
cial flowers to tighten up any corner
upstairs, downstairs. or in my lady's
chamber. Many have tin containers
fitted inside for real,honest to goodness
blooms.
Flat, round, oblong and square box
like baskets stencilled in riotous and
futuristic design and color make ideal
catchalls for hankies, neckties, gloves
and even bon hons.
Sandwich baskets Of natural color or
smoked bamboo are always attractive
either with or without fitted plate Of
gay hued peasant ehinaware in their
SHALLOW embrace.
Hanging baskets of stained willow
lined with colored silk or colored glass
make lovely swaying lights and lined
with painted tin they hold growing
plants and trailing vines to tighten the
living room, sunporch or breakfast
room.
Scrap baskets have passed from the
stage of gilt and composition garlands
to a more ornate state Of gilt festoon-
ed in elaborate designs Of French silk
fruit and flowers, gold lace, tassels and
gold cord. Or else they are the gay
hued peasant or Indian baskets Of bar
barrie dye or Of black and gold and red
lacquer a la Chinois.
Even the soiled linen hamper becomes
thing Of beauty and JOY forever
when it is all slicked up with a coat Of
white or ivory enamel, with offtimes
garland of carved and enamelled rose
buds adjoining it's lid Or satin bows
fussing up it's handles. In triangular
shape, so they can fit easily into cor
ners, these baskets enamelled III tlnts
to carry out the pervading color scheme
of the room are preferable in convent
ence and sanitation to even the most
artistic laundry bags in guest rooms,
the nursery and all bed, chambers.
Huge basket jardiniers Of Bronze toned
Chinese bamboo for the potted palm
or captive rubber plant are stunning
enough to be in great demand even out
side Brooklyn.
Then there are the light and handy
trays Of basket weave, plain or decora-
ted, with stencil or bright color
which I am not sure ought to come un-