112 CARPETS. 



In making carpets, the strongest packthread is used, with 

 stout carpet-needles. The two edges are brought together, so 

 as to match the pattern, in every instance, exactly, and the 

 stitches are taken on the wrong side. In some of the heavier 

 carpets the stay-stitch is used, which consists in taking up one 

 side at a time alternately, so that the seam may lie flat ; and 

 where both sides are taken at once, the needle is passed first 

 toward the workwoman, and then pointed for the following 

 stitch from her. If it gets fulled or puckered, it should be 

 picked out and re-sewed. The selvages should only meet, and 

 not be lapped, and the stitches should not be drawn tight. 



Carpet binding is not so much used as formerly. The car- 

 pet now, after being stretched, is turned down and tacked with 

 carpet tacks, with bits of soft leather attached to each tack. 



Printed carpets, of woollen materials, are used chiefly for 

 druggets, to save more expensive carpets, and for dining- 

 rooms. 



Oil-cloth carpets where they can be afforded, are exceed- 

 ingly convenient for kitchen floors. 



Carpets are best cleaned by being thoroughly shaken, the 

 floors they were taken from washed very nicely, and when 

 dry, the carpet returned to them, and then, after being tacked 

 down and swept, to " make assurance double sure," scrubbed 

 with a stiff brush and suds prepared with hard soap and ox- 

 gall, renewing the suds frequently, rinsing in the same man- 

 ner in clear water, in which has been dropped a little oil of vit- 

 riol to fix and brighten the colors, and lastly, wiped dry with 

 clean towels. The windows of the rooms where carpets are 

 so cleansed should be left open, till all dampness has left the 

 apartments. This is a good time to rub the edges of the 

 carpet with camphene, putting it on with a rag or sponge ; 

 the odor soon escapes, and the eggs of moths are effectually 

 killed by the process. 



The great objection to American carpeting is, that the 

 colors are not fast ; otherwise, they wear well. 



