Among the latest notions in short blinds is a piece of white woven
transparent material, stretched across the glass, and nailed all around
the window frame ; also Japanese crape squares having lace inser-
tion between. These are not, however, as effective as the transparent
gauze pictures, with gold thread interwoven with the ground work
(which may be either black or white) ; birds, trees, and flowers
standing out boldly upon them.
Work-baskets may be decorated in novel fashions. In lieu of
quilted satin linings inside, and bands of embroidered serge outside,
with numerous tassels depending, of all shades, the exterior of the
basket is left unornamcnted, and the inside is merely plainly lined
with holland. On this holland on one side is a large sunflower, lily,
or any other flower that is deemed suitable, worked in crewel. If the
basket is of the square form, with a lid, holland is still used and ar-
ranged as pockets, on each of which a flower is worked. Many of the
newest work-baskets are simple squares of buckram, bordered with
ribbon wire, and bent so that the two corners meet at the handles;
these are worked with sprays of flowers in gold thread. The wicker
baskets on stands have their contents hidden by charmingly worked
covers. The reversible satin sheeting is a favorite material for these;
any conventional design is worked on this.
A serviceable cover to throw over a lounge or couch in the sitting-
room is made by taking a broad, bright stripe of cretonne; on each
side of this put a stripe of black or dark brown cloth (line it to give
body to it); on each edge put a row of fancy stitches in silk or
crewel ; the ends may be finished with fringe or not, as you choose.
Aprons which are very useful in the kitchen are made of ticking;
get one yard ; put a band on as for any apron, then turn it up at the
bottom for a quarter of a yard, or even more, on the right side; fas-
ten each end securely, and in this pocket the clothes-pins can be
carried or used with ease.
Wall-baskets have two bows of ribbon on them, one placed in the
234 THE hearthstone; ok, life at home.
centre of the flat part that is fastened to the wall, and the other on the
projecting part. This large bow is broad, and fuller than the other, and
has a cluster of fruit or flowers in the centre. Little remnants of plain
or shaded ribbon can be cut into lengths of seven inches or eight
inches, and four inches to five inches wide, edged at each end with
lace, gathered up, with one or two rows of "gauging" in the centre,
and converted into pretty ornaments for the front of the baskets. Mus-
lin can be made up in the same way. Scraps of colored sateen can be
mounted over double pieces of card-board cut into the form of a min-
iature fan, then joined together to hold pins. These fans can be of
various sizes, and the divisions are marked by gold or colored silk.
A small floral design can be worked or painted on. The pins are
put in all round the edge. Other pin-cushions of old-gold satin,
mounted in the same way over card-board, in the shape of Maltese
crosses, with a small one worked in red silk in the centre, and pins
put in all round, are also novelties.
Page 149
Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Among the latest notions in short blinds is a piece of white woven transparent material, stretched across the glass, and nailed all around the window frame ; also Japanese crape squares having lace insertion between. These are not, however, as effective as the transparent gauze pictures, with gold thread interwoven with the ground work (which may be either black or white) ; birds, trees, and flowers standing out boldly upon them.
Work-baskets may be decorated in novel fashions. In lieu of quilted satin linings inside, and bands of embroidered serge outside, with numerous tassels depending, of all shades, the exterior of the basket is left unornamented, and the inside is merely plainly lined with holland. On this holland on one side is a large sunflower, lily, or any other flower that is deemed suitable, worked in crewel. If the basket is of the square form, with a lid, holland is still used and arranged as pockets, on each of which a flower is worked. Many of the newest work-baskets are simple squares of buckram, bordered with ribbon wire, and bent so that the two corners meet at the handles; these are worked with sprays of flowers in gold thread. The wicker baskets on stands have their contents hidden by charmingly worked covers. The reversible satin sheeting is a favorite material for these; any conventional design is worked on this.
A serviceable cover to throw over a lounge or couch in the sittingroom is made by taking a broad, bright stripe of cretonne; on each side of this put a stripe of black or dark brown cloth (line it to give body to it); on each edge put a row of fancy stitches in silk or crewel ; the ends may be finished with fringe or not, as you choose.
Aprons which are very useful in the kitchen are made of ticking; get one yard ; put a band on as for any apron, then turn it up at the bottom for a quarter of a yard, or even more, on the right side; fasten each end securely, and in this pocket the clothes-pins can be carried or used with ease.
Wall-baskets have two bows of ribbon on them, one placed in the
234 THE hearthstone; ok, life at home.
centre of the flat part that is fastened to the wall, and the other on the projecting part. This large bow is broad, and fuller than the other, and has a cluster of fruit or flowers in the centre. Little remnants of plain or shaded ribbon can be cut into lengths of seven inches or eight inches, and four inches to five inches wide, edged at each end with lace, gathered up, with one or two rows of "gauging" in the centre, and converted into pretty ornaments for the front of the baskets. Muslin can be made up in the same way. Scraps of colored sateen can be mounted over double pieces of card-board cut into the form of a miniature fan, then joined together to hold pins. These fans can be of various sizes, and the divisions are marked by gold or colored silk. A small floral design can be worked or painted on. The pins are put in all round the edge. Other pin-cushions of old-gold satin, mounted in the same way over card-board, in the shape of Maltese crosses, with a small one worked in red silk in the centre, and pins put in all round, are also novelties.