NOVELTIES IN DECORATIVE FANCY WORK.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1846, 22 January 1880, Page 3

NOVELTIES IN DECORATIVE FANCY WORK.

At a recent dinner party the ladies amused themfelves in the evening by making impromptu shades, so novel, so eaßy, and so pretty that I will begin my paper by describing them. A sheet of ordinary colored tißßue paper is taken, folded once, and held in the thumb and finger of the left hand, like a pocket handkerchief. It is then drawn through the right hand, from top to bottom, over and over again, till it is a mere wisp. An inch is cut off the point at the top, to form the hole for the chimney of the lamp to paßs through. The paper is then spread out, and falls in four graceful crimped points. The6hade is complete ; and when dexterously put over the globe (before the lamp is turned up very bright) throws a pretty, subdued light. Pink, pale green, yellow or violet are all favorite colors ; and when two or more colors are put over each other, the < fleet is vtry pretty. These shades, which really only cost one penny, were lately sold at a fashionable bazaar in London fur 2s 6d each 1 It is thus easy to vary the lamp shades, and to have a selection of all colors in reserve. The soft, subdued light of the shades is pleasant, and at the same time becoming. Pretty shades can be made of gold paper, with delicate fern fronds or ivy leaves, first proceed and partially dried, and then gummed on and varnished, an edge of light lace added round at the last. Old discolored shades can be re-covered, and thus renovated, with advantage. Gold paper is much used for decoration just now. I saw a very handsome glass standing screen the other day with ferns on gold paper, between the glass, and a smaller one arranged in the same way with seaweeds. Both were the work of a lady. The panels of a door and a cupboard in a email sitting room were filled in with gold paper, and were covered with fern specimens and ivy leaves, artistically arranged and varnished. The effect was exceedingly good. Little table mats, with a border of small ivy leaves, either real or artificial, look pretty, under glass vases. The gold paper must be gummed on to cardboard and well pressed. The common, cheap rush, or Zulu hats, which have been so popular all the summer for country and seaside wear, are now being turned to account as work baskets. They are lined with a color, held by a broad ribbon attached to the crown and sides, finished off in a bow, and ornamented with some floral design in odds and ends of wool. Moat of them are gilded, and the favorite decoration is a bunch of poppies on one side. Liquid gold is quite effectual for gilding them. Sometimes they have a wire round the edge and are bent, and instead of worked flowers have a cluster of artificial ones sewn on. The other kind of rush basket, which has been in vogue for some time now, can be improved by running a broad colored ribbon or velvet in and out, and adding bows at the handles. Some antimacassara were shown me the other day, half of blue latin and balf of black, edged with gold lace, and a large monogram worked in gold thread in the centre. The monogram was between four and five inches long, and almost as broad. In the same room the curtains were of broad blue and black stripes, with a pattern worked in gold and jet beads on the black stripes, and on each broad band looping back the curtains was the same laTge gold monogram as on the antimasscars. The effect, especially at night, of the bead embroidery, was beautiful. The lace curtains were blue, instead of being white. A novelty in the way of curtains are the lace ones, in colors. Dark blue and brown are the only colors I have seen as yet, except the light blue ones, which wore especially dyed for the room. It is easy enough to get the white ones dyed any color, according to fancy, and the effect is very pretty, as well as uncommon. Velvet panels at distances round a room look well to arrange china and curiosities on. The velvet can either be simply stretched over wood, or finished off with a narrow gold beading. A narrow one up the side of a mirror over a mantelshelf looks well, and shows off choice bits of china to advantage. Velvet painting is beginning to attract attention, and on panels is most effective. It is to be Been on valances, cushions, small pansls of cabinets, and framed on walls. I saw a very beautiful quilt the other day composed of painted stripes of cream velvet, and plain alternate stripes of dark red. It was intended aB a wedding present. The centre Btripe had been painted many years ago, and served as a copy for the others. Nightdress cases are sometimes seen now of pale-colored or white velvet, with a design painted on. No trimming is required except a bow in the centre of the flap. A mantel valance in the velvet looked very effective and rich with a design of sprays of maidenhair fern worked in gold-coloured filoselle. The sprays were continuous, but every one a little different, so that there was no stiffness. A cushion, bannerscreen, and the cover of a large photograph album were also of blue velvet, and had a graceful spray of ivy worked on each in the same gold-coloured filoselle. Pretty, novel antimacassars for sofa and chairs can be made of wide insertion of the coarse lace called " antique," now so much in vogue for furniture and thick j morning dresses, joined together by bows of coloured satin ribbon. Each strip is laid down beside each other and joined by passing the ribbon through the edges and tying it in a smart bow. About four or five inches apart the bows should be, ani the bows on each strip should not be on a line, but fitting in, in diamond form. Strips of this insertion and muslin, with a frill of narrower lace all round, make effective chair bicks. I noticed some uncommon table napkin rings a thort time ago in the semblance of bracelets, made of bright blue velvet on white elastic, finished off with a bow. (The elastic is stretched out, the velvet sewn on at the two edges, and a bow added, the elastic is then allowed to fall inwards and the velvet has a puckered appearance). In each of thesa velvet rings a little floral buttonhole was put in. The mats on the table were of the same colour velvet, and the menus had blue margins. Couvrettes for beds or satin sheeting, worked in crewel or arrasene embroidery have a beautiful effect. One lately seen had a broad border worked all round, crossing at the corners. Upon the crossings were applique medallions of sheetings of a different colour to the quilt, containing a large monogram, the same monogram was in each medallion. Other couvrettes have a delicate pattern worked all over in old-fashioned colours, in imitation of the work of past generations. Dados on coloured sheeting, worked with purple iris, or a design of birds, water, and rushes look well in small rooms. These worked dados we particularly suited to a naval officer's cabin, and would be a very acceptable present. Perhaps this may be a suggestion, as inquiries have appeared from time to time asking for novelties. White window blinds are rendered very oroa mental by having two rows of crewel work traced and worked down them. A lining of green tammy should be added at the back, and a piece of lace at the bottom. Some kinds look well with a horizontal band of work just above the fall of lace, or a band of muslin insertions ewn on, and broad coloured ribbon passed in and out. Painting the panels of wardrobes is being much done jast now, and in order to facilitate the work, and make it convenient for the artists, the panels are cut out and made to fasten in from the back by a carpenter. Little curtains of chinta are hung in the empty spaces till the panels are ready. It is very pleasant work