THE LADIES’ FLORAL CABINET. 
331 
Decorative Notes. 
N OVELTIES in scrap-baskets are three-sided, or else 
the globe-shaped Japanese basket, fastened securely 
between three upright heavy bamboo canes, which serve as 
a standard. Two long spruce cones and a full bow of rib¬ 
bon are arranged at the three places where the basket is 
fastened near the top of the canes. One cone of each 
pair is gilded and the other bronzed, and the basket 
and its supports decorated to correspond. 
Some very pretty covers for lamp-shades are shown at 
the commodious rooms of the Woman’s Exchange. The 
newest desigh consists of a strip of antique lace three 
inches wide and just long enough to lie smoothly around 
the shade and allow the ends to be neatly sewed together. 
Pale pink or blue knitting silk is then used to crochet 
shells in the top of the lace. Eleven rows of these shells, 
composed of four double crochet stitches, will make it 
deep enough. Finish at the top with a row of full shells 
and run' in a narrow ribbon of the same color as the silk, 
and tie in a bow to draw the cover to the shade. A heavy 
fringe of the silk is tied in the lower edge of the lace. 
Other handsome covers are made of strips of yellow 
satin ribbon one inch and a half wide and five inches 
long, put together with rows of lace insertion. The ends 
of each piece of ribbon are folded in to form a point to 
which a small satin ball is sewed. A full ruffle of deep 
Oriental lace is fastened underneath the ribbon strips and 
a very narrow ribbon confines the cover at the top. 
Tiny Japanese fish-net baskets are arranged on a 
wooden plaque with their handles crossed and tied with a 
narrow ribbon ; a little strip of sand-paper is tacked under¬ 
neath and the whole affair, when bronzed, makes a very 
convenient and pretty receptacle for matches. Not at all 
artistic but decidedly novel are the little washboards in¬ 
tended for the same uses. An opening is made at the 
top to receive the matches, and the words, 
“ I’m not matchless in my beauty, 
But I always do my duty,” 
are lettered on a bit of satin and fastened in the space 
just above the corrugated portion where the matches are 
to be scratched. C. 
A Pretty Paper-Holder. 
P ROCURE a common wire broiler from the tin-shop ; 
the largest size is preferable, though the tiny ones 
make very cunning little letter-holders. Gild the wires 
with gold paint or bronze powder and then weave gay 
ribbons through them, basket fashion. Black and yellow 
with red are popular and serviceable colors. Pale blue 
and pink are especially dainty. Place two or three bows 
at the bottom of the rack and also at the handles, which 
are held slightly apart by ribbon loops. These little 
articles may be made very elegant by the use of velvet 
and brocaded ribbons, adding plush and gilt pendants at 
the bottom, with gold cord to lace up the sides. 
Lucia M. Harvey. 
NEW YORK FASHIONS. 
T HERE has been much talk lately about economy, 
and among other fields for its exercise that of ladies’ 
dresses has not escaped. 
But whatever some ladies may do in the privacy of 
their own sewing-rooms, those who patronize our fash¬ 
ionable shops and have the fabrics made by a stylish mo¬ 
diste, make up for this economy of their careful sisters. 
The present style of dress, far from being economical, 
seems to advocate extravagance in every detail. Bonnets 
and hats must be en suite, stockings should match the 
dress, and all colors and materials must harmonize, un¬ 
less the wearer cares nothing about being considered a 
woman of fashion. 
There was never more variety, richness, and even ex¬ 
travagance in materials. The silk novelties, just opened, 
are both rich and costly. Velvets in the most exquisite 
colors ; plush, both striped and plain; the exquisite ma¬ 
terial known as velours de Gines, or Genoa velvet, in all 
colors, and still another variety called velours frisd, are 
all used, both for wraps and dress trimmings. 
The wool fabrics are in great variety and profusion. 
They look coarse, but are not cheap, and they drape ad¬ 
mirably. Many of these materials bear a resemblance, 
near or more remote, to Astracan. Some look as though 
lace of one color was laid over the plain fabric of another. 
For instance, blue over red. 
Stripes are combined with plain materials, the latter 
being used for the upper portion of the costume and the 
draperies and the striped goods for the petticoat. 
Another pretty style of goods is called boucld mohair , 
