Chain stitch is now but little used in embroidery, although it may
sometimes be suitable for lines. It is made by taking a stitch from
right to left, and before the needle is drawn out the thread is
brought round towards the worker, and under the point of the needle.
The next stitch is taken from the point of the loop thus formed for-
ward, and the thread again kept under the point of the needle, so
that a regular chain is formed on the surface of the material. This
chain stitch was much employed for ground patterns in the beautiful
gold-colored work on linen, for dress or furniture, which prevailed
from the time of James I., to the middle of the eighteenth century.
It gave the appearance of quilting when worked on linen in geomet-
rical designs or in fine and often-repeated arabesques. Examples
come from Germany and Spain in which the design is worked in
satin stitch, or entirely filled in with solid chain stitch in a uniform
gold-colored silk. Twisted chain or rope stitch is effective for out-
lines on coarse materials, such as blankets, carriage rugs, footstools,
.etc. It is like an ordinary chain, except that, in place of starting the
second stitch from the centre of the loop, the needle is taken back to
half the distance behind it, and the loop is pushed to one side to
allow the needle to enter in a straight line with the former stitch. It
HOUSEHOLD ORNAMENTATION.
249
is not of much use except when worked with double crewel or with
tapestry wool, and should then have the appearance of a twisted
rope.
A pretty mat for the floor and one that will cost little is made of
burlap worked in cross stitch with different colored worsteds✪ Pretty Mat for the Floor. There
is no pattern or design, but use the odds and ends of zephyrs that
you happen to have left from other fancy work, and let them come
haphazard. The effect is very unique. If any one cares to spend
time upon it, a centre piece and border may be worked and then filled
in as first suggested. Line the mat with a piece of carpet or new
ticking, and finish it with fringe, or a bright-colored flannel strip
cut in scallops. Worsted fringe which has been worn upon a dress
and put away may be used for this purpose, and if it is dark-colored
brighten it up by tying in lengths of bright worsted of the various
hues in the mat.
A good way to keep the earth moist in a hanging-basket without
the trouble of taking it down is to fill a bottle with water and put in
two pieces of yarn, leaving one end outside on the earth. Suspend
the bottle just above the basket, and allow the water to drip; this
will keep the earth moist enough for winter, and save a great deal of
time and labor.
Pretty washstand mats may be made of white felt or flannel, bound
with a broad band of color and large woollen stars roughly worked
all over in the color of the binding — red, blue or pink may be
used ; or they may be made of colored sheeting with a deep woollen
edging.
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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
Chain stitch is now but little used in embroidery, although it may sometimes be suitable for lines. It is made by taking a stitch from right to left, and before the needle is drawn out the thread is brought round towards the worker, and under the point of the needle. The next stitch is taken from the point of the loop thus formed forward, and the thread again kept under the point of the needle, so that a regular chain is formed on the surface of the material. This chain stitch was much employed for ground patterns in the beautiful gold-colored work on linen, for dress or furniture, which prevailed from the time of James I., to the middle of the eighteenth century. It gave the appearance of quilting when worked on linen in geometrical designs or in fine and often-repeated arabesques. Examples come from Germany and Spain in which the design is worked in satin stitch, or entirely filled in with solid chain stitch in a uniform gold-colored silk. Twisted chain or rope stitch is effective for outlines on coarse materials, such as blankets, carriage rugs, footstools, .etc. It is like an ordinary chain, except that, in place of starting the second stitch from the centre of the loop, the needle is taken back to half the distance behind it, and the loop is pushed to one side to allow the needle to enter in a straight line with the former stitch. It
is not of much use except when worked with double crewel or with tapestry wool, and should then have the appearance of a twisted rope.
A pretty mat for the floor and one that will cost little is made of burlap worked in cross stitch with different colored worsteds. There is no pattern or design, but use the odds and ends of zephyrs that you happen to have left from other fancy work, and let them come haphazard. The effect is very unique. If any one cares to spend time upon it, a centre piece and border may be worked and then filled in as first suggested. Line the mat with a piece of carpet or new ticking, and finish it with fringe, or a bright-colored flannel strip cut in scallops. Worsted fringe which has been worn upon a dress and put away may be used for this purpose, and if it is dark-colored brighten it up by tying in lengths of bright worsted of the various hues in the mat.
A good way to keep the earth moist in a hanging-basket without the trouble of taking it down is to fill a bottle with water and put in two pieces of yarn, leaving one end outside on the earth. Suspend the bottle just above the basket, and allow the water to drip; this will keep the earth moist enough for winter, and save a great deal of time and labor.
Pretty washstand mats may be made of white felt or flannel, bound with a broad band of color and large woollen stars roughly worked all over in the color of the binding — red, blue or pink may be used ; or they may be made of colored sheeting with a deep woollen edging.
Records on this page
Pretty Mat for the Floor