KERAMIC STUDIO 
191 
each corner a short distance from the end are small crocheted 
motifs consisting of three small loops and a picot. The 
lengthwise edge was rolled and finished with a fine cross-stitch 
in yellow thread. The bands were then basted in place and 
stitched on the machine, using yellow thread for the upper 
and white for the lower. The mat is seventeen by eleven 
inches finished, about a quarter inch being allowed for turn 
in. The widest yellow band is two inches finished, and the 
narrow one a half inch. The same allowance of a quarter 
inch for turn in was made on these pieces. Baste very 
carefully and use a fine stitch on the machine. The runner 
may be finished in exactly the same way, its width depending 
upon the size of your table. There should be room between 
the runner and the edge of the table for the doily without 
crowding. 
V 
The other mat is one requiring more time to make. 
The linen of which this is made is much coarser than the first 
one. Where threads are to be drawn do not choose a tightly 
woven fabric. Any lurking profanity in one's system is bound 
to be stirred up in consequence. Dampening the fabric before 
drawing the threads is often considerable help. The proportions 
of this mat are about the same as the other one. It is finished 
with a simple edge of single crochet, with two picots a half 
inch from each corner. An inch and a half from each end is a 
row of Italian hemstitch. This is a beautiful finish for many 
things and is not difficult to do. Three threads are drawn, 
then two skipped and then again three drawn. This leaves 
a solid strip in the center and the work is done from side to 
side, from the back. A great deal of this is seen on the lovely 
foreign linens. A beautiful runner made by a member of our 
local Keramic Society had this for its sole decoration. Lines 
of it were grouped in the center and at the ends in a very 
interesting way, the whole thing being the quintessence of 
refinement. Such a runner would be choice with table mats 
like the illustration. If this plan of using table mats and 
runner is once used it is bound to find favor. Here again all 
sorts of possibilities open up. A very handsome way in which 
to work out a set is shown in one of the illustrations of Mr. 
Fry's work at Southhampton. 
On one of these tables is shown a beautiful set in which 
the mats are made of filet crochet. The centers are solid 
with a strip at each end of filet, the whole finished, if my 
memory holds good, with a plain edge. With these was used 
an oblong center piece of filet. The thread used was ecru 
"Bowstring" No. 25, and came from a firm in Chicago. I am 
uncertain whether it may be obtained elsewhere. Linen could 
be used for the body of the mats with the filet for the ends. 
A set in soft grey green linen with lace bands in grey or ecru 
thread, finished with a simple crocheted edge of the same, 
would be very good looking. A grey blue linen with crochet 
of deeper blue would make up well. With this use a still 
lighter grey blue for the napkins with a finish of the darker 
shade. Don't be afraid to get away from the old set way of 
doing things. There are so many delightful excursions to be 
made into the world of new and untried things. Why stay 
always within the narrow confines of one's own four walls. 
Anything is good for us which stirs us out of the deep rut into 
which it is so easy to settle. 
It often takes a most prodigious pull to accomplish this. 
Sometimes we need help and that is what Keramic Studio is 
trying to do for its readers. There is so much beauty in the 
world if our eyes are only open to it. The Art which touches 
the simple commonplace things of everyday life and makes 
them beautiful is the big thing after all. I have on my desk 
a leaflet which seems to me such a perfect expression of this 
thought I am quoting it. Perhaps many are familiar with it, 
but for those who are not, here it is: 
"I believe in Art, not for Art's sake, but for its enrichment 
of life, and its power to make more perfect the pleasure of living. 
"I believe in Art which can be applied to the most simple 
and useful things, making them more complete and more 
beautiful, and therefore more capable of giving enjoyment. 
"I believe the highest enjoyment of beauty comes, not 
from mere appreciation, but from the production of a beauti- 
ful object. 
"I believe that Art applied to the demands of every day 
life, and wrought by heart and mind and hand, is the greatest 
and truest Art." 
CENTER OF TRAY OF TEA SET (See page 192) 
