Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-09-21
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING.
By Henrietta Grauel.
A RRICk PINCIiSHION.

Who can tell what materials YOU like
"a work with One models clay. another
carves wood and to q third precious silks
and marvellous velvcts are served IN the
great workshop of the world. But though
,,-c cannot make our choice, We can use
whatever material IS put into our hands
in The best WAY so our work VIII hc ihith-
mi and strong. able to stand the wear and
tear Of time.
No work can be we'll done unless the
tools are right and the intentions good
Almost everyone has good working uteh-
sils in this day when so much Is taught
about a workman being no better than ms
tools bur not so very long ago, even needles
and pins were hard to secure and II Is
said that Lady Washington kept strict
account OF he number Of hodkins. knitting
needles and sewing needles handed out 10
| tho family servants ane demanded an
| exact return OF each one. In those days
! the work was far better than the tools but
| some of the sewing room helps were adj
| mirablc For instance there was the sew
ing bird A metal bird-shaped affair
with heavy spring in its bill. Thus bird
was clamppcd TO the sewing table, the
| material to be hemmed was f1Xed In Its
| bill and held there firmly while the long
| seam was run.
In an old Colonial housebook we find
! a description of a brick pincushlOn that Is
| new TO US and as practical now as 1t was
| then the old book was new.
when running long seams and ruffies
| have at hand brick cushion, says the
| sewing instructor such cushion VIII
not overset. 1t Is better than table
screw to hold goods tight and you can
| pin YOUR sewing TO It, place II on char
| or anywhere, and still sit in ladylIke, up
| right posture.
| Get a smooth brick, cover it with tow
| linen and place II IN neat, large Dag
| filled with Sleeps wool, or linen scrap, or
| ANYTHING but cotton, as pins will not enter
! cotton easily. You may even Use bran TO
| pack the bag with, putting 1t into the
| holder with a spoon and having the whole
aDDaratus on a great tray. If Sukey or
| Dinah be not busy, it may be better to
| have them fill the bran about the brick,
as it is undignified if il blow upon you, and
| some strength IS needed TO fill the holder
| and press it in tightly enough.
! When no more wool or bran can enter
| the bag. sew up the open end. Sew piece
| of green baize on the bottom where IT
rests on the table. afterward cover the
top and sides Handsomely with worked
sampler or with damask or satin Do not
ornament this with beads or bows as
thread might catch on such
The advantages Of the Colonial dame 5
brick cushion are plain and we wonder
! that this handy contrivance has been for
gotten, even though the sewing machine
! runs our seams for us so quickly that the
upright posture and dignity are for
gotten.
1t often surprises us to see how much
women of past generation accomplished
without modern helps. 1t was possible
to do much because no time was wasted
They passed quickly from one occupation
to another Each morning found them
with n definite program of things to be
done that day. This left them with more
time for visiting and for helping one an
other we Dhave with all our new IN
ventions.
Like the ant in the nursery rhyme they
always found something OF other to dc
If not for myself. for another"