HINTS AND IDEAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 230, 28 September 1935, Page 3 (Supplement)

HINTS AND IDEAS.

MAKING A COYER. THE OLD-FASHIONED SOFA. An old-fashioned leather sofa, too shabby to look well, or cold and unsuitable for use in bedroom and lounge, is changed in character by the addition of a loose cover made from a chenille curtain or tablecloth, such as many people have stored away, or from a coloured wool blanket. Begin by taking a piece of the material approximately twelve inches longer and twelve inches wider than the sofa seat, lay it 011 and tuck it in, allowing sufficient to hang over the end and side. At one place it will fall in folds; tack these together 011 the inside, but do not cut tliem off until the whole has been fitted. Take a second strip of material nine inches wider than the back rest and long enough to tuck deeply into the opening between seat and back rest and hang down to hide the leather 011 the far side of the back rest. Stitch, the seat piece and backrest piece together and push them again into the opening. Cut a third picce to the shape of the side of the back rest, allowing ample turnings, fit and sew the other pieces to it.

The back of the sofa must now be covered. If it consists of a padded top supported by balusters, make a separate cap, fitting it tightly so that it will stay in position. If the whole is solid, lay on the material, letting it fall loosely 011 the far side and tucking it in 011 the other. Shape and cut it, then stitch it to the seat piece, and, where they meet, to the back-rest piece. Finish by refitting and stitching the folds previously mentioned and hemming all ijound. Covered buttons or light washers, sown on the hem at intervals, give the work an upholstered appearance and help to hold it down.

If it is preferred to work to a pattern one may be cut, in the manner described, out of an old sheet, and the blanket or chenille is then cut to this.

HOME DYEING. In the spring one often finds several things in need of dyeing. In the case of good curtains, rugs, dresses and coats and skirts it certainly pays to send them to the dyer's, but if you just want to dye a blouse or jumper, a table runner or a cushion cover, then they can be quite well dyed at home. There are many reliable dyes on the market, and if the directions are followed implicitly good results ought to be obtained. Here are some hints about the colours that can be dyed: Brown can only be dyed black, d. brown, d. claret (d. stands for dark). Green: Black, d. brown, d. green, d. claret, d. olive. .Bed: Black, brown, d. crimson, d. claret. Fawn will take d. crimson, d. green, black, brown, d. claret. Dark blue: Black, brown, .d. crimson, d. green, d. claret, d. olive. Pale blue: Bed, d. green, black, brown, d. blue, lavender, orange, yellow. Lavender: Black, brown, d. red, claret. Pink: d. crimson, d. green, black, brown, pink, olive, d. blue, d. fawn. Bose, same as pink, but also orange and scarlet. Primrose and yellow will dye almost any colour required. Grey will_ only dye, besides brown and black, d". green, d. claret, d. crimson, d. fawn, d. blue. The difficulty of dyeing is not so much in imparting new tints as in discharging the old colours. It is obvious that this must in nearly all cases be done before fixing the new colour wanted. White silk and cotton goods can be dyed almost any colour. White woollen goods cannot be properly dyed in the piece; they can, however, be beautifully cleaned. As cotton, silk, and wool all take dye differently, it is almost impossible to redye a fabric of mixed stuff any colour except dark ones named. Pale blue will re-dye better than any other colour.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR EYES. Every year tlie eyesight of thousands is destroyed"or seriously impaired by accidents, most of which could easily have been avoided. Among the common dangers in the home are burns from the splashing of cleaning preparations, flying tacks and nails, and cuts from knives, forks and scissors. Attempts to remove caps from bottles and covers from food jars with the aid of knives or forks cause many accidents. Neverisk carrying a pair of scissors or knife with the sharp end pointed towards you. SUN BLINDS. Sun blinds and awnings of linen and canvas which have, been stored away during the winter, and are not sufficiently soiled to require cleaning, should be brought out on a sunny day and hung over the clothes-line until they arc perfectly dry. Then beat and brush thoroughly to remove all dust before putting them up. FOR THE HOUSEWIFE.

If you add a little lemon juice to the water for mixing pastry the pastry will be lighter and all taste of fat be removed.

To restore morocco leather to its former good condition take equal parts of vinegar and linseed oil. • Shake well and apply with a soft rag; after well rubbing, polish with another soft dry cloth.

To prevent fried eggs from sticking or breaking, add a teaspoonful of flour to the frying fat.

Before cooking a duck or goose pour water which is boiling over and through it. This tends to remove the oily flavour.

To clean a sink quickly moisten a wad of paper with a little paraffin, and thoroughly rub the sink. Then rinse with plenty of water.

Fibre suitcases should be cleaned by sponging them over with hot water to which has been added a little vinegar. Dry thoroughly and finish with floor polish.

Oak bedsteads should be rubbed ovet with boiled linseed oil and polished with a soft cloth. Mahogany bedsteads may be treated with any good furniture cream. Polish with a soft duster.

New boots are sometimes difficult to polish. To make them shine easily, brush off any dirt that may be on them and rub them with lemon juice. Let this dry in, then black and polish them in the usual way, and they will shine beautifully.

When curtain pins and rings have been in use for some time, they arcapt to become rusty. To remedy this, let them stand for a few minutes, in water to which ammonia has been added. Then take them out and rub well. They will look almost like new again.

Jam Jar Handles.—When covering jam with paraffin wax, first pour on a small quantity, then lay a clean, fin? string across the top of the glass and pour 011 the rest of the wax. The string, extending over the edges of the glass, makes a convenient handle to remove the wax when opening the jam