AMERICAN 
February, 1911 
HOMES AND GARDENS 73 
A symmetrical design taken from the center 
of a fine china plate 
tions are made in this respect the work loses some of its 
distinctiveness and ceases to be strictly speaking ‘“‘china em- 
broidery.” Also as a general rule it is better to adapt 
rather than to alter when placing the pattern on the article 
to be decorated. Thus 
only those should be se- 
lected of which in any 
case the principal part 
can be used intact. It is 
in this matter of arrange- 
ment that much of: the 
skill and discretion of the 
worker will be required 
and it is worth while 
taking some pains to do 
it to the best advantage. 
Tablecloths embroid- 
ered to match china are 
very handsome. One of 
these or a set of small 
tray cloths would make a 
most acceptable gift to 
the possessor of a valuable service. A large plate might 
be copied for the center, while the pattern on a cup or a 
smaller piece of the ware may be taken to fill the corners. 
In order to decide which is the best method of finishing 
the edges of the embroidered materials some consideration 
The pattern on quaint old services can be effec- 
tively copied for table tray cloths 
Old willow pattern copied for a border to a casement curtain 
This centerpiece is accurately reproduced 
from an old plate 
is needful. More often than otherwise a simple hemmed 
or hemstitched border will be found the most suitable for 
an elaborate piece of work, the embroidery itself being 
quite sufficient from a decorative point of view. Some- 
times, however, should 
the china have a pretty 
border, it may be effec- 
tively copied at the edge 
of the cloth. 
Good silks and those 
that are dyed in fine, 
clear colors, should be 
used for the embroidery. 
The thickness of texture 
must depend a little on 
the size and working out 
of the design, but as a 
rule the best results are 
obtained if fine threads 
are used. In the more 
complicated designs sey- 
eral shades of color may 
be required for one section alone and great care must be 
exercised both in choosing and in blending the shades, if the 
copy is to be exact. It is a good plan for the first trial to 
choose a pattern which may be quickly and easily followed, 
though with a little practice one will easily become proficient. 
