For flower-pot covers they should be sewed on ticking, perpendicu-
larly, close together, so as to completely hide the edge of the founda-
tion ; then put on the cardboard shapes sold for flower-pots. A lace
table cover, with deep, coarse lace edge, is pretty with a band of the
feathers at the top. At equal distances two of the " eye " feathers are
crossed and tacked on, the quill being turned toward the border. The
thread which attaches them to the cloth is first threaded with gold
beads, which make a sort of little gold brooch ornament. The feathers
are cut about five inches long and arranged at about two inches
from the feather band. These may be left out and the feathers only
crossed in each corner in addition to the feather band. They may be
used in the same way for a mantel lambrequin or curtain.
A very unique and elegant screen may be made by using a back-
ground of velvet, using the color that best harmonizes with the furni-
ture coverings and also the pea-fowl feathers, then arranging gracefully
upon the velvet three or five feathers, fastened with a bow of velvet
ribbon, as described above for the wall. Care must be taken that they
are allowed to drop gracefully and not look as if they were plastered or
glued to place.
FANS AND HAND SCREENS
can be made from birds with their wings and tails outspread and
mounted on handles. A pointed wire is run up the under side of each
wing, between the skin and bones, and twisted firmly in position.
The bone of the wing is bound tightly to the wire and wound with
jute. The wings are then pinned in position on a board, with backs
to touch. When well dried and stiffened the wires are fastened in a
handle and the back of the wings drawn tightly by a strong thread,
which is drawn through them with a needle and tied. The joint
between the wings is covered on the front side by a head, mounted
medallion- like, and the back may be covered by the spread tail of a
bird. Whole mounted birds with spread wings in a flat position make
an attractive ornament. Birds with pretty outlines and rich colors can
be wired as in mounting birds with spread wings, and fastened against
the wall bracket-like, with wings raised straight up and nearly meeting
at the back. The head may front, being pressed back closely to the
wings.
70 FANCY WORK.
A variety of brackets may be made from the wings, tails and heads
of birds. Frames of thin wood are substantial foundations and origi-
nality in designing may be practiced to almost any extent. The wings
may be glued on these foundations, or sewed on cloth and glued after-
ward. They can be very securely fastened by using dextrine, which
may be bought at any drug store, and is much better than glue.
FOOT RESTS.
Get a common camp-stool and have a carriage painter paint it with
the shiny black paint, or dull lamp-black color, as the latter looks more
like ebony ; make the handsomest stripe you can and trim the ends
with heavy fringe ; lay the stripe over the stool, tacking it down on the
two edges, letting the stripe hang nearly half way to the floor, and you
have an unique stool or foot-rest. This is decidedly pretty if covered
with red plush, and scarlet and gold fringe used.
Page 61
Presented as published in 1886. 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
For flower-pot covers they should be sewed on ticking, perpendicularly, close together, so as to completely hide the edge of the foundation ; then put on the cardboard shapes sold for flower-pots. A lace table cover, with deep, coarse lace edge, is pretty with a band of the feathers at the top. At equal distances two of the " eye " feathers are crossed and tacked on, the quill being turned toward the border. The thread which attaches them to the cloth is first threaded with gold beads, which make a sort of little gold brooch ornament. The feathers are cut about five inches long and arranged at about two inches from the feather band. These may be left out and the feathers only crossed in each corner in addition to the feather band. They may be used in the same way for a mantel lambrequin or curtain.
A very unique and elegant screen may be made by using a background of velvet, using the color that best harmonizes with the furniture coverings and also the pea-fowl feathers, then arranging gracefully upon the velvet three or five feathers, fastened with a bow of velvet ribbon, as described above for the wall. Care must be taken that they are allowed to drop gracefully and not look as if they were plastered or glued to place.
FANS AND HAND SCREENS
can be made from birds with their wings and tails outspread and mounted on handles. A pointed wire is run up the under side of each wing, between the skin and bones, and twisted firmly in position. The bone of the wing is bound tightly to the wire and wound with jute. The wings are then pinned in position on a board, with backs to touch. When well dried and stiffened the wires are fastened in a handle and the back of the wings drawn tightly by a strong thread, which is drawn through them with a needle and tied. The joint between the wings is covered on the front side by a head, mounted medallion- like, and the back may be covered by the spread tail of a bird. Whole mounted birds with spread wings in a flat position make an attractive ornament. Birds with pretty outlines and rich colors can be wired as in mounting birds with spread wings, and fastened against the wall bracket-like, with wings raised straight up and nearly meeting at the back. The head may front, being pressed back closely to the wings.
A variety of brackets may be made from the wings, tails and heads of birds. Frames of thin wood are substantial foundations and originality in designing may be practiced to almost any extent. The wings may be glued on these foundations, or sewed on cloth and glued afterward. They can be very securely fastened by using dextrine, which may be bought at any drug store, and is much better than glue.
FOOT RESTS.
Get a common camp-stool and have a carriage painter paint it with the shiny black paint, or dull lamp-black color, as the latter looks more like ebony ; make the handsomest stripe you can and trim the ends with heavy fringe ; lay the stripe over the stool, tacking it down on the two edges, letting the stripe hang nearly half way to the floor, and you have an unique stool or foot-rest. This is decidedly pretty if covered with red plush, and scarlet and gold fringe used.