146 
KERAMIC STUDIO 
THE LINEN PAGE. 
JETTAEHLERS ------ p AGE Editor 
i 8 East Kinney Street, Newark, N. J. 
THE USE OF APPLIQUE 
TN casting about for a very simple method by which to decor- 
■*- ate table linen, it is doubtful if any surpasses that of 
applique. This is so easily and quickly done, that it is strange 
more of it has not been used. All sorts of possibilities open 
up in the combination of colors and materials. One paints, 
as it were, with a large brush. There are several things to 
commend this sort of work. Of course first and foremost is 
the simplicity of it. One might be entirely "minus" ability 
as a needle worker, and still be able to make a good job of this. 
Neatness and a tape measure are the chief requirements. At 
first one rebels against anything but hand sewing on articles 
for the table. When the worker has once seen what really 
attractive things these stitched bands are, that feeling is 
greatly modified. Think of the pleasure of planning a set of 
this kind, and of being able to carry it through to completion 
in a couple df days, or even less. Another point is its great 
durability. This makes it ideal for every day use, where a 
thing with much delicate work would soon give way. By 
reason of this virtue, nothing could be better for the summer 
home in the woods or by the sea. Something more rugged 
and in accord with the outdoor life is needed here, and so this 
simple frank sort of decoration seems to fit in better than any 
other. Another consideration is that in the handling of color 
in a big way, this method seems most satisfactory. In this 
manner, striking contrasts may be worked out in a broad and 
simple fashion. 
Through the scarcity of china these days, we have been 
driven to experimenting with many new things. Among 
these, the Japanese ware with a high brilliant colored glaze 
has proved very interesting and adaptable for informal use. 
Such a set in a beautiful rich old blue, decorated with a small 
unit in bright enamel, would be very attractive for a bungalow 
service. With this, use a rather coarse grey linen, and on this 
applique bands of old blue. Blue linen for the cloth, with 
bands of blue and green, or, blue and violet checker board, 
is another suggestion. One may let one's fancy for color run 
riot here, provided of course that the riot is a harmonious one, 
as Irish as that may sound. .Because of the ease with which 
these things are made, several sets might be developed, and 
thus much variety obtained. A grey and sober day could be 
brightened up with a bit of gay color on the table. One's 
spirits would go up with a bound. In these busy days with 
most of us living at high tension, our nerves respond more 
quickly than one quite appreciates to environment. One 
comes in tired and depressed and sits down to a table which 
gives out exactly that spirit. For inanimate things do give 
out atmosphere just as surely as people do. The table probably 
sports a cloth with a "busy" pattern, which your poor tired 
eye persists in following. Or it may be that hosts of fussy 
little doilies mark each place. If there ever was a sensible 
fashion introduced, it is the use of the one oblong doily or table 
mat large enough to hold the silver, plate and all. Contrast 
with either of these a table spread with a simple cloth such as 
is shown in the illustration. The straight lines of it are most 
restful, as is the total absence of any fussiness. Add to this 
china that is harmonious, with a bit of good color about it, and 
with the feeling of rest comes the sense of pleasure that color 
always stirs. There is a let down at once of the tired nerves, 
