4n THE nonsESoLD. 



more ammonia, and piit the curtain into that immediately. Let it soak 

 while the next curtain is taken tlirough the same process as tlio first, and so 

 on until all the curtains have been taken through at least three waters, or 

 till the water looks clear, squeezing and washing the curtains with the hands 

 as the work goes on. Ammonia in the two first waters is sufficient, and if 

 not very gray and smoky, it will only be needed in the iirst. 



After taking the curtains through the three waters many starch and blue 

 them, and, without any soap or scalding, prepare to stretch them and pin in 

 shape. But we prefer to put them into a bag, or coai-se pillow-case, and 

 scald in clean soapsuds (not very strong) for a few minutes. The suds 

 should be made of very pure soap, and the water, when they are first put in 

 only tepid; then just bring to a boiUng heat. While the curtains are scald- 

 ing prepare two tubs of clean water— one to rinse the curtains when they are 

 taken from the boiler, and the other for the last rinsing. This should be 

 blued; and the starch requires to be blued quite deeply, as, when hung up 

 against the light, lace does not appear blue. The blued water and starch 

 should be strained, that no mote of bluing may escape to settle on the 

 curtains. 



Take the curtains from the boiler when slightly scalded, rinse thoroughly, 

 but with a gentle hand, till all the suds are out, then wring or squeeze out, 

 and put through the bluing-water, wring out from that, and prepare to 

 Btretch, and pin out smoothly to the original length and width. This must 

 be done when just taken from the water, as lace cannot be stretched when 

 dry. The whole process of washing, scalding, rinsing and stretching should 

 be done as expeditiously as consistent with thorough work, for no other cot- 

 ton material shrinks so easily. 



Many pin a clean sheet on to a carpet, in an unoccupied airy room, and 

 pin the curtains on to the sheet. Every point and scallop should be pulled 

 out and pinned on to the sheet evenly. But that is a very hard way for any 

 one who finds stooping and bending over painful; and we don't tliink the 

 lace looks as clear, because when pinned on to a carpet there can be no free 

 circulation of air from underneath. 



It is easier, and in every way better, to keep on hand four strips of thin 

 boards, about three inches wide, made very similar to quilting-frames, with 

 holes at suitable distances, to increase or diminish the length and breadth to 

 Buit the size of the curtains, and strong wooden pins put through the holes 

 to fasten the frames strongly together. Tack, closely, strips of cloth, sel- 

 vedge edge out, or wide tape, the whole length of the bars. Then place 

 them on chairs so that they will stand firm and steady— out-doors, on a 

 still, bright, sunny day— and pin or baste the curtains to the tape, pulling 

 out and fastening every point in the lace. 



Before wetting the curtains do not forget to measure them in length and 

 breath, and mark the measure on the frame they are to Ije dried on. When 

 washed they Must bo fastened at both ends first, and then stretched to 

 match this measure. It takes but a little time to dry curtains thus stretched 

 in the sun, and if well rinsed, free from soap, several curtains may bo 

 stretched out at the same time. This is a great saving of time; but wo 

 always fear the lace will not look as clear as if dried separately. But we 

 have never tried that way. We, however, hear it approved by those who 

 haTe. 



Instead of nailing tape or strips of cloth to the " frame," small-sized gal- 

 vanized tenter hooks are often driven into the frame on all four sides, and 

 the lace or mueliu curtains are caught on to these hooks and thus stretched 



