THE LADIES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4036, 28 June 1884, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE LADIES.

LADIES' GOSSIP. THE W T ORK-TABLE. NOVELTIES IN NEEDIEVS'OKK. An elbow-cushion for placing on the draw-ing-room table is a novelty. It is long and narrow, and is made with a strip of figured velvet in tho centre, with a puffing of the same colored silk at cither edge. A wide frilling of lace surrounds it, and bows of narrow ribbon aro placed at each corner. Chrysanthemums are, perhaps, the favorite designs, both for embroidery and painting, and have quite taken the place of sunflowers and passionllowers, which wero tho rage a short time ago. Chair-backs are made of linen with a design of chrysanthemums and leaves with a darned ground. Handsome curtains arc formed of wide strips of satin sheeting and brocaded velvet, a floral design, in a scroll of exactly the same tone as the sheeting and worked in outlino bordering the velvet. TABLECLOTHS. Tablecloths arc made of all sorts of materials, including somo that are very inexpensive, such as serge, woollen fabrics, cloth, etc Jute velvet is also much used. Some cloths are buttonholed round tho edge, and have a border of flowers and leaves looking as if they grew upwards from the edge ; others are scattered all over with flowers. Borders of flannel covered all over with a design in outline of leaves and flowers are seen on tablecloths of jute velvet, the velvet being of some dark shade, such as sago green and tho flannel cream. White chrysanthemums arc a favorite design on dark reds and greens both for cushions and tablecloths. The groat featuro in work at the present, time is tho background which is usually darned in and sometimes honeycombed, the design being worked in outline. SCREENS. Screens are just now very popular. The services of the carpenter have to be called in, in the first instance, but tho being made, the screen may be decorated in a variety of ways. A three-fold screen may havo three embroidered scarves slipped through the woodwork so as to be movable at pleasure. These scarves may be made of linen fringed and richly embroidered in silks. The tea screen with a shelf for cups is a novelty. SACHETS. Sachets aro now made of various materials, such aB sateen, Roman sheeting, satin, Saxony cloth, and linen prepared for crossstitch. Bed sachets are not sewn up at the sides, but fastened with an ornamental bow. Handkerchief cases are made from a square of satin. Take the square of satin when doubled down the centre of the width. This forms the size. They are often quilted. One corner is turned over on to the right, showing the inside satin, which should be of a contrasting color. Sometimes this corner is embroidered with the initial or a flower. They are trimmod with lace or a ruching of satin. The most useful glove-case is made very long ; throe-quarters of a yard of satin is necessary. This is lined and divided into sections for the different kinds of gloves. A flap of satin is placed on each side the full length of the case, and smaller flaps across each division of the satin. These are either tied together over the gloves or fastened together by an elastic. The long outside flaps are for covei'ing the ends of the gloves before tho case is rolled up. It then fastens cither with robbon or clastic. Another shape is made like a long, narrow enevelopo fitted with expanding sides, which are cut in the shape of a triangle. A point is placed at the bottom of tho enevelopo ; tho wide part then is levsl with the upper edge. CHINA BASKETS. By means of strong cement full satin lops arc now added to the china baskets and wall pockets which arc just now such popular ornaments. The satin should be in harmony with tho color of the raised flowers which docorate the basket. Japanese vases are made gay with a complement of cords and tassels. Almost any shaped baskets and workcases can be made of plaited paper ; white, brown, or newspaper may be utilised for this purpose. To make a white basket, cut into narrow strips, three-quarters of an inch wide, thin cartridge or white demy paper, double each strip length-ways into two, and plait it as straw and chip arc done. When youhave plaited a sufficient quantity, stitch them together into the shape you wish tho basket to be, using a small basin, jar, or even another basket to assist in shaping the work. When the plait is stitched into shapo, and handles put on, give it two coats of hot gelatine and water, and when thoroughly dry, varnish. Baskets of newspaper or brown paper must be painted with oil color and afterwards varnished.—Exchange.