134 AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
2yOWADAYS much needlework is done with 
the evident intent of putting into it a mini 
mum expenditure of both thought and 
labor, and the results are obtained by a 
pos studied blending of colors and individual 
EN ee) treatment of design. Each piece should 
be a part of the whole and should not 
stand out asserting its right to be admired. ‘The immense 
popularity of all forms of darning owes its development to 
the way in which it adapts itself to all kinds of decora- 
tive treatment. 
The designs for darning illustrated here mark a distinct 
development along the lines of simple broad effects, so much 
desired to-day in all forms of needlework. Most of the 
designs shown are carried out on gray, hand-woven linen. 
This comes fifteen inches wide; just the width for sideboard 
cloths and table runners. The material is most interesting 
both in weave and color. It is made from natural un- 
bleached flax and varies from light grayish tan to a warm 
light brown. It is often found in almost silver gray and is 
one of the most decorative materials for needlework to be 
obtained. ‘The colors used to ornament this fabric should 
be soft dull tones of linen floss that harmonize with the 
natural gray of the linen. Outline and satin stitches are 
used to define the lines and masses very sharply, but the de- 
signs are wrought throughout in a simple darning stitch, 
taken in short uneven lengths parallel with the woof threads. 
The fabric is allowed to show through these stitches so that 
the design has the effect of being an integral part of the ma- 
terial, having almost the appearance of hand-weaving. The 
charm of this work lies in the shimmering jewel-like effect 
that is gained by allowing the ground material to show 
through in broken uneven 
spacings between _ the 
stitches. It is worked in 
several colors—silver, blue 
and old rose, charmingly 
blended with soft, dull 
greens. There is a_ sug- 
gestion of the wings of a 
dragon-fly in this beautiful 
piece sor emicre dale ecratt: 
When hanging in a window 
with the light filtering 
through, the effect is most 
beautiful. 
The other curtain is 
made of brown homespun 
linen and is darned in a 
conventional figure in 
tobacco, bacown. he 
ground color is allowed to 
show through, giving it a 
translucent effect that is 
most decorative. 
The linen blotters vary 
somewhat from the other 
New Suggestions for 
Darning 
By Mabel Tuke Priestman 
Some dainty workbags ornamented by darning 
April, 1911 
pieces in the way they have been treated. The center blotter 
is outlined in gold cord, couched around the design. The 
darning is run up and down instead of horizontally, the 
usual way. It is worked in heavy green with a gold outline 
on the gray linen. The largest blotter is almost as much 
blanket stitch as darning, but a very bold effect is given to 
it by an outline of black silk worked in embroidery stitch. 
The Tussore silk chair back has an insertion of curtain net 
matching the ground work of the silk. This is darned in 
medieval pattern in old gold and is very quaint and some- 
what out of the ordinary. The little work bag of linen and 
silk is done in outline stitch and darning in several odd 
shades. We have seen another design on curtain net which 
showed a somewhat unique treatment of pillow lace and 
darning. ‘The cushion was covered with old rose satin and 
the slip consisted of écru net ornamented with pillow lace 
and darning. All the threads ran horizontally and the 
ivory silk darning shimmered through the curtain net in a 
very attractive manner. ‘The design was centered and con- 
sisted of a group of roses, one overlapping the other, with 
a few leaves suggested at the edges. 
One of the illustrations shows somewhat unique designs. 
They are made of coarse unbleached linen and the deco- 
ration has been impressed with a block print. This is only 
partly concealed by the darning and has a most unusual and 
pleasing effect. The chair back in green and old rose is 
extremely effective. This consists of darning outlined by 
chain stitch. The dark green lines in the background serve 
to throw in relief the old rose design. The other designs 
show a simple treatment for shaving-tidies. One is on ivory 
ground while the other is almost brown and worked en- 
tirely in dark tones. The sort of design suitable for darning 
differs considerably from 
all other kinds. In order 
to get broad, flat masses 
which go to bring about 
the right results, an in- 
dividual treatment is nec- 
essary. At the present 
time table runners are the 
latest cry in up-to-date 
needlework, and _ naturally 
a border treatment at 
either end is the most suit- 
able. Sometimes this is run 
entirely across, about six 
inches from each end and 
with a line at the top and 
bottom. 
The designs are usually 
based upon conventional- 
ized plant or insect motifs, 
but a good many are geo- 
metrical in their formation. 
Satin stitch and outline are 
used to define the lines and 
masses very sharply, but 
