548 
AMEEIOAllT AGEIOULTUmST, 
[Deoembee, 
Notes of Fashion. 
It is very easy for a lady of good taste to be in 
fashion this fall, for the styles are unlimited in 
number, and one is at liberty to choose from an 
almost endless variety of fabrics, such colors and 
shapes as suit her own individual fancy, always re¬ 
membering that simplicity is the rule for home and 
street costumes. Many skirts are made without 
any puffs or drapery. Of course these are very 
slightly gored, if at all, and this on the front breadth 
only. The fullness is all thrown to the back, 
where it is supported by a full tournure underneath. 
The back breadths should be cut longer than the 
others. Some dresses have a basque-front, apron- 
draped over-skirt, with a long, plain, princess back. 
Others have the back breadths in two double box 
plaits, reaching to the bottom of the skirt. These 
are set on just below the waist. Drapery is not out 
of place, however, and none need fear to wear last 
year’s dresses, lest they should be “ out of style.” 
For quiet kinds of trimming, cord and braid are 
most used, and the still favorite vest is often formed 
by horizontal rows of braid, fastened at the ends 
by small buttons, or loops of the braid. The skirt 
may be trimmed with rows of braid, from a quarter 
to half a yard deep, finished at the bottom with a 
narrow plaiting. A very pretty style of cord or 
braid trimming, consists of interlaced rings form¬ 
ing a chain. Embroidery is much used, but should 
be of the color of the material. Beaded trimmings 
for rich fabrics, and for dress occasions, are very 
popular. There are costly and elegant passemen¬ 
teries in jet, and it would seem as if nothing could 
ever take their place for trimming black silks and 
velvets. There are also leaves and sprays wrought 
in colored beads or pearls for gayer dresses. Clasps 
and buckles are much used at the neck and waist¬ 
line with full vests. They are of metal, in quaint 
designs, and not expensive. 
Bonnets are seen in many shapes, large and small, 
but the favorite is the small, round capote. Many 
have one to match each dress—^but this is needless. 
A smooth felt or velvet, in some dark, rich shade, 
will look well with almost any dress. A puff of 
velvet all around, a cluster of loops, or bunch of 
feathers on the top, is all the trimming necessary. 
They may be with or without strings. A bow un¬ 
der the chin, of velvet, two or three inches wide, 
without ends, is becoming to almost every one. 
This is instead of the narrow velvet, which has 
been, and stiU is worn. Hats are not chosen by 
ladies of middle-age. For young ladies and chil¬ 
dren they are high, tapering to the crown, and have 
a narrow brim. They set back on the head a little, 
and are faced with velvet and trimmed with a broad 
twist of velvet, with a mass of loops or feathers 
directly in front. We here give a description of a 
few hats. A young lady may select a brown straw 
or felt, lined with brown velvet, and trimmed with 
shaded bronze and coral pink feathers. This is to 
be worn with a bronze-colored suit of cloth or silk. 
Another is made on a frame, and has a crown of 
puffed gray silk, with velvet front; the silk is 
doited with red chenille, and the trimmingis velvet, 
with a steel buckle, and a gray and red aigrette on 
the top. A very pretty bonnet for a middle-aged 
lady, is of gray felt, with a puffed black velvet 
edge, and gray and black tips. 
For misses and little girls dark blue is a favorite 
color, with which is blended a rich dark-red. A 
blue felt hat has three or four narrow blue velvet 
bands around it, and a cluster of loops in front, in 
which are two small red wings. With this is worn 
a dress of plain blue, with a plaid skirt of blue and 
red, which is also for the vest, collar, and cuffs. A 
gray felt hat trimmed with rich red velvet, and 
white wings, is very pretty. For outside, little girls 
wear the long, plain redingote, plainly stitched. 
or trimmed with braid or fur. A pointed hood, 
with a bright lining is often added. Good common 
sense seems now to be wedded with fashion, and 
health and comfort are considered. We have thick 
shoes, broad heels, warm stockings, and strong 
and well-made underwear for all ages. The days 
of dressing for show merely, are passed, and good, 
substantial garments, even if a year or two old, 
need not be laid aside. Ethel Stone. 
An Ornamental Slipper-Case. 
Shape two pieces of heavy card-board, as shown 
in the engraving, one for the foundation being of 
A slippeb-case. 
the size required to hold the slippers, the other for 
the pocket, being a trifle more than half the length, 
and three inches wider than the first piece. The 
foundation is covered with felt, the part extending 
above the pocket being divided diagonally, and 
covered with contrasting colors. One half has a 
design in embroidery, painting, or etching in out¬ 
line stitch, and the other is puffed. The pocket is 
similarly decorated, and is bordered with a pufSng 
one inch and a half wide. Sew the pocket firmly 
to the back-board, and allow the puffing to extend 
over the edge. Line the case neatly with silesia. 
A Cheap Home-made Secretary. 
An old sewing machine frame from which the 
works are quickly unscrewed, is easily made to serve 
as a secretary and small book-case. By unhinging 
the cover and fastening it with two iron braces and 
screws to the back in an .upright position, the place 
for books is made. To cover the holes a piece of 
felt may be pasted on the table part. Old frames 
may be purchased at the factories for a small sum, 
and will be found very useful with these changes. 
stamps, etc., and an upright piece of steel under the 
drawer may be sharpened to hold notes in place. 
Christmas Cards Made at Home, 
Beautiful Christmas cards can be made at home 
with little work or expense. The foundation.is a 
cream-white card about six inches wide and four 
long. On the right-hand side of the card arrange 
a cluster of golden-rods, held in place by a narrow 
ribbon taken from the back of the card over the 
stems, then back through a second hole and tied 
in a bow on the back. The mottoes are painted in 
one color with a fine pointed brush. It is well to 
practise on the lettering with an extra slip before 
beginning on the card. The motto may be changed 
to suit the taste of the worker. Golden-rod dries 
well and keeps its color so long that it is one of the 
best of flowers to use for such cards. A sprig of 
hoUy is very appropriate. A small sprig of ever¬ 
green mixed with red berries is pretty. Another 
pleasing card can be made by using pressed ferns 
and pansies; the latter when pressed will keep 
their color well. A charming card from Scotland 
has a bunch of heather fastened in the center, 
and the word “ Christmas” and date written below. 
Any person who paints can make an attractive 
card by fringing a piece of silk five inches wide 
and seven long, to the depth of a quarter of an 
inch. On the silk is painted any design and motto 
that may be selected ; after which it is fastened to 
a card e trifle larger by narrow ribbons passed 
through holes in the eard and tied in tiny bows on 
the right side. Only two bows in opposite comers 
will be needed to secure the painted silk to the card. 
A Piano Scarf. 
A very suitable present for the holidays that can 
be made with little expense, is a scarf with crazy 
border, for an upright piano. Take a piece of felt 
eighteen inches wide and twenty-four inches longer 
OENAMENTAL PIANO COVEB. 
than the width of the piano. A piece of un¬ 
bleached muslin eighteen inches wide and four 
inches deep is used for the foundation of the crazy 
work. On this baste small pieces of silk, satin, 
plush, or velvet, in any shape or size, the edges to 
be all carefully turned down before basting on the 
muslin. The edge of each piece is then embroid¬ 
ered with silk or floss of a contrasting shade in a 
variety of stitches. The pieces may be either 
ornamented with painting or embroidery. The 
greater the variety of stitches and color the pret¬ 
tier will be the scarf. A border of this crazy work 
is fastened on each end of the scarf, five inches 
from the edge, with a narrow black velvet ribbon, 
which is ornamented on each side with gold floss. 
The two edges are cut in points and finished with 
tassels or fancy balls, as shown in the engraving. 
Delicious Lemon Stbup.— Cut two or three 
lemons in thin slices (removing the seeds) into a 
little saucepan with water to cover, and let them 
cook slowly, adding more water as the first boils 
away. When the slices are tender, take them out 
and add white sugar enough to make a syrup of 
the juice and water, and simmer until it thickens. 
