Applique work is simply transferred
work. Cut out pretty figures from damask
or cretonne, or the best parts of old and
worn embroideries, and fasten them secure-
ly on a foundation of lace, linen, or silk.
Things to Embroider. — In addition to
curtains, lambrequins, screens, and panels,
which only a few women have time for,
cushions and chair-backs may be made in
great variety. Sofa cushions are always
desirable as gifts. A long narrow cushion
for the back of an invalid's chair, a neck-
rest for a rocker, covers of linen to be
slipped over a chair that has lost its fresh-
ness, little round table mats, pieces to
brighten the centre of a dinner-table, port-
folios and letter-cases, slippers and sewing
and knitting-aprons, with pockets to hold a
bit of work, thimble, and needle sheath, are
among the many articles that may be made
in leisure hours.
Crocheting.
The little crochet hook is a very old
instrument. Its charm is that with so
small a tool so many beautiful things may
be produced. From a counterpane to a
collar, almost an3'thing may be made with
the crochet needle. Babies' afghans and
sofa quilts for convalescents are often cro-
cheted. There are few occupations more
fascinating than this to those with time to
spare.
Knitting.
The delight of knitting is its sociability.
Embroidery demands close attention, but
the knitter may talk at the same time, her
fingers moving with automatic precision.
What pictures rise in our mind's eye of dear
old ladies knitting by the fire, their needles
flashing and their voices busy with social
chat ! Shawls for breakfast or evening wear
can be either knitted or crocheted, and
many other articles at once useful and or-
namental, are at the command of busy and
skillful fingers in this old-fashioned art.
Decalcomanie.
Beautiful jars, vases, umbrella holders,
and boxes may be made in this favorite
work, for which scrap pictures are neces-
sary. It requires taste to arrange these
tastefully, and when well gummed, they
should be varnished to preserve them and
453
86
THE MODEL COOK BOOK
to impart a finish. Choose boxes, vases, or
bowls of clear, flawless glass. Cut and
gum your picture very carefully on the
vase, which must then be varnished. Pass
a coating of gum over the inside of the
vase, then, if the outside is quite dry, paint
it in oil, in any color you please. Tall
vases to fill with cat- tails and grasses, or to
contain a potpourri inside, shedding, when-
ever stirred, its faint, spicy odor over the
drawing-room, are very interesting decora-
tions, and have about them an unmistak-
able air of antiquity : that is, if the vase be
of ancient pattern, or the ornaments those
of Assyrian, Egyptian, or Etruscan char-
acter.
Potpourri.
The potpourri just referred to may be
made of various combinations of fragrant
materials. A very agreeable one may be
made by the following recipe for a rose-jar :
One-half peck of rose leaves, one-half pound
each of common salt, bay salt, and brown
sugar ; one ounce each of storax, benzoin,
ground orris root, cinnamon, mace, and
cloves. These should be pounded and
mixed by a druggist.
To the above may be added orange and
lemon verbena and other aromatic leaves.
Putting these ingredients in your jar, and
stirring them frequently with a wooden
spoon, you can, at any time, by airing and
then closing your room, fill it with a deli-
cate perfume.
Wax Flowers.
Page 106
Presented as published in 1901. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Applique work is simply transferred work. Cut out pretty figures from damask
or cretonne, or the best parts of old and worn embroideries, and fasten them securely on a foundation of lace, linen, or silk.
Things to Embroider. — In addition to curtains, lambrequins, screens, and panels, which only a few women have time for, cushions and chair-backs may be made in great variety. Sofa cushions are always desirable as gifts. A long narrow cushion for the back of an invalid's chair, a neckrest for a rocker, covers of linen to be slipped over a chair that has lost its freshness, little round table mats, pieces to brighten the centre of a dinner-table, portfolios and letter-cases, slippers and sewing and knitting-aprons, with pockets to hold a bit of work, thimble, and needle sheath, are among the many articles that may be made in leisure hours.
Crocheting.
The little crochet hook is a very old instrument. Its charm is that with so small a tool so many beautiful things may be produced. From a counterpane to a collar, almost anything may be made with the crochet needle. Babies' afghans and sofa quilts for convalescents are often crocheted. There are few occupations more fascinating than this to those with time to spare.
Knitting.
The delight of knitting is its sociability. Embroidery demands close attention, but the knitter may talk at the same time, her fingers moving with automatic precision. What pictures rise in our mind's eye of dear old ladies knitting by the fire, their needles flashing and their voices busy with social chat ! Shawls for breakfast or evening wear can be either knitted or crocheted, and many other articles at once useful and ornamental, are at the command of busy and skillful fingers in this old-fashioned art.
Decalcomanie.
Beautiful jars, vases, umbrella holders, and boxes may be made in this favorite work, for which scrap pictures are necessary. It requires taste to arrange these tastefully, and when well gummed, they should be varnished to preserve them and
to impart a finish. Choose boxes, vases, or bowls of clear, flawless glass. Cut and gum your picture very carefully on the vase, which must then be varnished. Pass a coating of gum over the inside of the vase, then, if the outside is quite dry, paint it in oil, in any color you please. Tall vases to fill with cat- tails and grasses, or to contain a potpourri inside, shedding, whenever stirred, its faint, spicy odor over the drawing-room, are very interesting decorations, and have about them an unmistakable air of antiquity : that is, if the vase be of ancient pattern, or the ornaments those of Assyrian, Egyptian, or Etruscan character.
Potpourri.
The potpourri just referred to may be made of various combinations of fragrant materials. A very agreeable one may be made by the following recipe for a rose-jar : One-half peck of rose leaves, one-half pound each of common salt, bay salt, and brown sugar ; one ounce each of storax, benzoin, ground orris root, cinnamon, mace, and cloves. These should be pounded and mixed by a druggist.
To the above may be added orange and lemon verbena and other aromatic leaves. Putting these ingredients in your jar, and stirring them frequently with a wooden spoon, you can, at any time, by airing and then closing your room, fill it with a delicate perfume.
Wax Flowers.