KERAMIC STUDIO 
73 
and forwards, until the places are all filled, but chain stitch 
is often used in connection with darning for making stem 
lines. Usually a single-darn stitch is the one that most 
people prefer, but work can be done by the double darn 
stitch when a high raised effect is desired. Variety is also 
given by running the stitches on the "bias" making diagonal 
lines and patterns and in steps. The straight and diagonal 
lines can be arranged to look like the treads and uprights 
of the steps of a house. To do this, three threads are woven 
diagonally, and half an inch space left, and then three more 
threads until the space to be filled is evenly striped. Single 
darn is then resorted to (on the straight) between the first 
two stripes, each space being filled in the same way at right 
angles to the first and so on until the leaf or flower is com- 
plete. 
The basket darn is another stitch which raises the 
pattern in relief. Begin the work at the top of the space 
to be filled and work down, and to the right, taking one 
thread of the canvas each time. Then turn the work, and 
fill the next line the same way. 
These are practically all the stitches that are employed 
in the most intricate fancy darning, and by it many beauti- 
ful patterns can be worked out, although in reality nothing 
is more decorative than the simple single darning on linen, 
relying only on the beauty of the material and the excellence 
of the design. 
ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES 
N. M. C. — We do not know of a process whereby textiles decorated 
with water colors can be washed. Textiles printed with oil colors thinned 
with turpentine and afterwards ironed can be washed, care of course being used. 
B. C. — A good paste for leather is made in the following way: take 1 lb. 
of flour, two quarts of water, one-half ounce of nitric acid, one dram of boric 
acid, one dram of oil of cloves, make in the same way that starch is made and 
strain through cheesecloth. 
G. O. — Etching ink for glass is made by mixing equal parts of hydro- 
fluoric acid, fluoride of ammonia and dry precipitated barium sulphate and 
rubbing them together in a porcelain mortar, when well mixed the mass is 
transferred to a platinum dish, or one made of gutta percha and fuming hydro- 
fluoric acid poured over it rapidly. The mass must be stirred constantly 
with a gutta percha rod, until the impression left by the rod vanishes. The 
fluid made in this way can be applied with an ordinary steel pen and the 
glass written on is etched immediately. The ink only needs to stay on the 
glass for 15 seconds. 
STUDIO NOTE 
Mrs. Gertrude T. Todd, of Kansas City, Mo., has gone 
to New York to study for two months. Mrs. Todd has 
suffered a heavy loss from fire, her studio being entirely 
burned. 
LEAGUE NOTES 
Outline of Study Course, 1907-1908 
Problem i — Facts from Roses. 
Problem 2 — Low wide bowl, two sizes in French China, 
one nine and one-fourth inch, one and three-sixteenth inch 
rim, and another six and one-fourth inch, thirteen-sixteenth 
inch rim, use either size. Or a low dish in German china 
with flat, oval rim, sometimes called "Crab plate" eight and 
one-fourth inches. These give a chance for decorating inside 
as well as rim. 
Problem 3 — Vase. Choice of Wheeler vase or eighteen 
inches cylindrical vase made by Willets, No. 639J or smaller 
cylindrical vase eleven inches in German china. 
Problem 4 — Chop plate, coupe. Size, eleven and one- 
fourth inches. Suitable decoration for use on table. 
Problem 5 — Fernery built, thrown or moulded of clay. 
Problem 6 — Outline of flower bowl, two or three 
inches high, nine inches wide, with perforated interior 
plate to hold stems. 
Problem 7 — Sugar bowl to be manufactured from best 
drawing of last year decorated with rose design. 
Conventional ornament on all pieces. Members are 
requested to send in number one and two by October first, ' 
number three November first, number four December first, 
numbers five and six January first, number seven as soon 
as possible after it is manufactured, outline will be sent to 
members or published in Keramic Studio. This Avill give 
ample time to finish the pieces before the annual exhibition. 
Try and send drawings exact size. 
Much can be accomplished this year by the League 
if there is a union of heart, thought and effort of members, 
let each do their share and remember that according to 
eminent authority "in America to-day is waking to life 
the New Great Art School of the world." 
Send all designs and correspondence regarding study 
course to President of the League, Mary A. Farrington, 
1 108 Norwood Ave., Chicago. 
The following notes made by our critic, Miss Bessie 
Bennett, are for the assistance of beginners and in reply to 
numerous questions: 
"A jury in judging art crafts articles for exhibition 
purposes has to consider primarily three things, Originality, 
Craftsmanship and Color. These in turn have subdivisions 
both numerous and subtle, but of minor importance. 
Facts from flowers mean careful and minute analysis 
of roots, stems, leaves, flowers and parts of flowers. Pencil 
sketches would be best for the purpose. Make a pencil 
note of the connection of leaf to stem, a note of the connec- 
