THE LADIES’ FLORAL CABINET. 
28 
above this enough threads drawn out to run in side by 
side five tiny ribbons not more than one-quarter of an inch 
in width, and*of different shades of the color used for the 
satin cover; at each corner the ribbon is left in loops. The 
cushions are then joined by a corner of each, and a full 
ribbon bow tied at the joining. 
The Exchange for Women’s Work has recently moved 
into very commodious rooms, and among the many beau¬ 
tiful things exhibited is a new kind of decoration, making 
use of natural vines, berries, and even fruits, which, after 
undergoing a process of hardening, are given a metallic 
appearance by bronzing and gilding. A pair of panels 
was decorated in this way: one with branches of the 
chestnut with leaves, closed and half-opened burrs ; the 
other with Grapevine, on which were several bunches of 
grapes which, having been given a true metallic color, stood 
out in relief as though carved. A large screen was orna¬ 
mented in the same manner, with a real Hopvine and Bit¬ 
ter-sweet with its natural berries, and a sconce with Oak 
leaves and acorns. The branches and vines were firmly 
attached to the bronzed wood which supported them, and 
seemed as though they had been so thoroughly hardened 
as to be very durable. 
A portiere of olive plush had, midway between centre 
and top, a band, eighteen or twenty inches deep, of light 
blue furniture satine ; on this was appliqued a design rep¬ 
resenting peach branches bearing leaves and ripened fruit; 
the peaches were of natural size, made with pink velvet, 
appliqued and shaded to darker tints with filoselle. The 
design was copied from a branch sent from Florida to the 
consignor. M. L. Thayer. 
Some Fancy Stitches. 
T HE ornamental stitches shown in our illustration are 
all extremely pretty and easy to execute. 
No. i, plain feather stitch is very simply worked by 
placing the needle obliquely in the cloth, as represented, 
and making a stitch first on the left and then on the right 
and so alternating them. When made with linen floss it 
is a very neat decoration for narrow hems or facings on 
w’hite goods. 
No. 2, is made in a similar manner, except that a per¬ 
pendicular stitch is taken instead of an oblique one. 
No. 3, is commonly known as coral stitch, and is also a 
variety of feather stitch with three stitches alternating on 
the sides. 
No. 4, is feather stitch with little loops attached, and is 
pretty when these are of a contrasting color, or a much 
darker shade than the main part. 
No. 5, is made the same as No. i, taking care that 
the threads keep a straight line for the centre. One 
side is worked first, then the other to correspond 
with it. 
No. 6, make oblique stitches with a loop through the 
centre. 
No. 7 resembles No. 6, with the exception that instead 
of loops, stem-stitch is made in the centre, which must be 
kept a straight line. 
No. 8 is made like cat-stitch, only the needle, as shown, 
is put straight across instead of up and down; the loops 
are added afterward. 
Nos. 9, io, u and 12, are made with common cat-stitch 
and added loops. 
No. 13, is composed of straight stitches and loops, and 
is extremely pretty made with two shades of silk, using 
the lightest for the loops. 
No. 14, is button-hole stitches in graded lengths and 
groups of nine, working feather-stitch, or No. 1 between 
them. 
No. 15, is to be used as an edging for an appliqued band 
of velvet, working the points with a very dark and a very 
light shade of silk. 
No. 16, is intended for a similar use; after working the 
centre pattern, as shown in the illustration, the velvet band 
is fastened down with couching stitches which are very 
simply made and very much used in all handsome ap¬ 
pliqued work; a heavy thread of filoselle, generally of the 
color of the material appliqued, is carried straight along 
the edge of the design and tacked down at equal dis¬ 
tances with silk of the same color, drawing the threads 
quite tight so the filoselle will have a beaded appearance. 
S. F. 
EVENING TOILETS. 
W HITE and delicately-tiflted laces and tulles, with 
small loops of silver woven in them, through which 
are drawn the stems of tiny velvet flowers, are shown as 
novelties among materials for handsome evening toilets. 
The effect is beautiful when draped over satin or surah, 
but the material is expensive and perishable. Much more 
useful and very pretty are the dresses of cream-colored 
surah trimmed with lace of the same tint, or, simpler still, 
the light qualities of veiling combined with satin and lace. 
An authority upon fashion suggests “ that such dresses be 
made with a full front and have a standing ruffle at the 
throat or an opening, square or V-shaped, finished with 
lace ruffle.” Short dresses are still worn by young ladies, 
particularly in thin materials; they are then draped, and 
much trimmed with lace and ribbons or flowers. The 
satins and heavy silks are trained, but made with single 
skirts, trimmed or draped upon the front and sides, but 
raised into a pouf at the back. Magnificent brocaded 
materials are employed for train and bodice, the panels and 
plastron being often embroidered, and for the front masses 
of handsome lace, plaited over satin. Wool is preferred for 
dresses of all kinds for young girls, but there are also pretty 
laced waists of ruby or of blue velvet, with the square 
opening and sleeves of lace or embroidery representing a 
guimpe ; with these are skirts of satin surah .trimmed with 
frills of Oriental lace, and with sash drapery of the satin. 
