Evening star., 1923-09-14

~ ~ROSS-STITCH needlework is
easy to do and gives plenty
of opportunity for attractive
ornamentation in brighten
ing UP faded and partly-worn win
dow curtains, draperies, cushion
covers, table covers, bureau scarfs
and many other articles. Cross-stiteh
borders in black or red are very effec-
two on curtains or table covers. The
designs may be- as simples as the
worker wishes, as almost any regular
arrangement of lines or squares will
work out well. Any pattern motifs
which are used in addition should be
simple, as the stitch makes rather
an angular outline.
OF course, you can buy books of
cross-stitch patterns. but it is very
easy TO invent designs for yourself.
a good many shapes can be worked
on the foundation of one straight
line OF stitching.
II a pattern is too difficult to work
right away, it is a good plan to buy
a sheet of paper ruled in squares or
those exercise books which are made
Tor mathematics, and to draw out the
aeesign in crosses before attempting
easy to follow ii out in the stitches.
Rather coarse linen is the best ma
eertal for cross-stitch work because
II is much easier to place the crosses
evenly il the threads are plainly
marked in the goods to be worked
CroSS-Stitch work is attractiVely
used in a medley Of colors, especially
on unbleached material A soft shade
OF china blue is charming, or the
foundation material may be blue case
mcnt cloth with black cross stitche es
Tor a now drapery. 1t is important
when working in this stitch not to
draw the thread too tight, especially
on an article which will require fire.
quent washing. AS an ornamentation
for children's dresses cross stitches
arc particularly pretty. Worked in
wool on velpeteen, serge, or even a
satin ground in contrasting or har-
nonizing shades, the result is pleas
Ing, and color schemes can bs ar
ranged according to taste.
The darntng stitch is a good way
or outlining with wool, and the chain
stitch is another simple stitch which
ts erectiVe for straight line decora-
ton. The chain stitch is really an
open buttonhole stitch. each stitch
belng caught into the one Immediate
~ before 1t. Another useful way of
oordering is by one or two rows of
eouehinG, this being done bv LAYING,
a rather thick strand of wool strajtrIf
on the material and fastening il at
intervals with a tiny cross stitch.
= circular motif is an effective one
TOT working at regular Ntervals all
over large piece of coarse linen for
curtains. II is very simple, being
composed of only a darning stitch
ana having rather large circles placed
at interval Is on the circular motif,
ahese circles being closely filled in
Win padded covering stitch. These
motltS would look we'll worked in
plack outline, with the circles filled
"a with various bright shades. or all
IN one bright orange color or Jade
green, A square pattern can also
oe made in the darning stitch IT is
easy 70 invent d simple design for the
center OF these squares For a mar
row border for curtains and other arr
ttcleS a small tilled-in motif alter
mating with one rather long darning
etttchi may be used. II a stronger
effect Is desired, this motif can be
placed between two rows OF COUGHING
stitch.
be made with the help of a very fine
crochet hook. Cut number of strips
or wool the same length, fold each
ono exactly in half. draw the fol-
through the edge of the linen and
pass the two ends through the loop,
drawing them tight A very narrow
hem may be made at tho edge to
keep tho material from fraying. The
fringe should be made in heavier
wool than that used for the embroid-
cry.
Mats and Bags From Old Linen,
IL YOU have n linen table napkin
which IL beyond darniug, see if il
still possesses two sound corners.
Should this be tho case fold them over
and cut the triangles thus formed as
large as the material will allow, Now
take q piece of coarse insertion or
crochet, turn in the raw edges neatly
and Join this down on either side so
Shat tho two sections are united. Edge
the square thus formed with lace TO
match the insertion, and neat tray
mat will be the result An oblong
mat can be made in the same way
with two straight strips of damask
Joined in tho center and edged with
lace. II is often possible to make
cake mat from the middle of table