210 
KERAMIC STUDIO 
THE LINEN PAGE. 
JETTAEHLERS ------ Page Editor 
1 8 East Kinney Street, Newark, N. J. 
THE USE OF FANCY LINENS 
OUR little chat about table-linens this month has chiefly to 
do with the subject of materials, with a few asides on 
table arrrangement. We have in the preceding articles used 
only the plain weaves in working out the problems. These have 
been varied by the combination of colored linens, and by the 
introduction of lace insets or other needlework. By including 
figured or printed linens, or those of fancy weave, we open up 
another line along which to experiment. There seems to be no 
reason why these should not be used as well as the plain. As 
this is a decided step away from the old order of things, the 
average worker will at first hold back. Once having seen what 
charming things may be made with these materials, one's doubts 
are soon dispelled. Of course, care should be used in the selec- 
tion of materials for this purpose. Keep always in mind the 
fact of the linen being a background, and therefore use nothing 
that will stand out too loudly 
In a hunt for something to use in making the little tea set 
shown in the illustration, it was difficult to find just the right 
thing in both color and texture, but it was at last found on the 
remnant counter of one of the large shops. It means persistent 
poking about in the shops and odd places to find good things, 
but I am sure no miner digging up a gold nugget is happier than 
the individual who unearths a "find." In the large cities, of 
course, these things are easier to get at, but even the small town 
woman need not despair. Most large houses have a mail order 
department, and are most gracious in the matter of sending 
samples. Sometimes even the little country store gives up 
something from its shelves. The thing to do is to be ever on 
the lookout. 
The set shown is made of a soft grey linen, really a dress 
linen, of the variety known as non-crush. A willing testimon- 
ial is given as to its non-crush quality, as it was necessary 
when pressing, to use a damp cloth over it to get any kind of a 
clean cut fold. It is forty inches wide, and cost ninety-five 
cents per yard. The cloth was cut thirty-six by forty, as it 
was planned to use with a small oblong tea table. The nap- 
kins are fifteen inches, a favorite size for informal use. The 
material appliqued is a blue and cream white check. It is 
an English cotton material, with a thread and weave much 
like a coarse linen. There was a debate at first in regard to 
using this on linen. Upon washing a bit, however, it was found 
to both keep its color and to not shrink. The material in the 
piece was pretty "noisy," consisting of blocks of a rather 
strong bright blue alternating with the lower toned blue and 
the cream white. The lighter low toned blue being just what 
was wanted, [a sharp pair of shears soon solved the problem, 
and a few minutes work supplied the stripes needed. While 
the marrow strip on the napkins seemed just right, it was lost 
on the cloth, so it became necessary to repeat it somewhere. 
After some deliberation, it was placed near the middle, forming 
a center-piece. This square measures fourteen inches. The 
strips are a half inch wide, and an allowance of a quarter inch 
for turn-in was made when cutting them. All edges were 
turned and basted before putting together. A grey under- 
thread was used with white on top for the machine stitching. 
A bit of contrasting color was needed, and after some experi- 
menting, this was introduced by means of Italian picot points 
of a shade best described as petunia. The thread used for this 
was D. M. C. heavy mercerized cotton. It was a "find", as 
this brand is very difficult to obtain at the present time. A 
large box of odds and ends displayed on a shop counter, gave 
up this and some beautiful golden brown, which was used to 
finish a light tan set. The points are used on the napkins in 
groups of two, an inch and three-eighths from the corners, 
and a full half inch apart. On the cloth, groups of three were 
used the same distance from the corners. Groups of two 
were used at the corners of the center applique. A straight 
line was then measured from these to the edge of the cloth, 
and the points repeated there. These Italian points are very 
decorative and not at all difficult to make. An ordinary 
needle is used for working. Fasten the thread into the material, 
and then again fasten about a quarter inch from this. Next, 
pin this point down on your knee, the point facing away from 
you. Begin at the broad end of the triangle, and using the 
head of the needle first, weave in and out until the entire point 
is solidly filled. Remove the pin, and slip the needle through- 
the length of the point at the back of the work, and fasten the 
thread in the edge of the linen. Where another point is made 
close to this the thread need not be cut, but slipped through 
the hem in a blind stitch to the next space. In weaving, do 
not draw the thread tightly, or the point will not be a good 
shape. When the last stitch is made through the length of 
it, a little steady even pull will draw it into shape and make 
it compact. Of course a little practise is needed before mak- 
ing entirely satisfactory ones, but the trick is soon caught. 
They give an uncommon touch to the linens, and seem to 
supply that added bit of finish so needed at times. 
In passing, I want to speak of the great interest I have 
found in different parts of the country in this particular subject 
of table linens, and especially in regard to applique. So many 
seem to feel the appeal of this sort of decoration, and because 
of its simplicity, have been inspired to do things. It is up- 
hill work for many a teacher who is striving to advance her 
pupils and to broaden their view-point. It becomes very 
difficult to accomplish much with people who are indifferent 
and content to be just mediocre. There is a story told, of 
how many years ago, during Grant's administration, a party of 
Indians were brought to Washington to see the " Great White 
Father." During their visit, they were entertained at a 
reception in the White House, where they appeared in full 
glory of war bonnet and other nativejregalia. A fine program 
of music was part of the entertainment, but it fell upon ears 
