Gay Peasant Colours

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 150, 22 March 1938, Page 5

Gay Peasant Colours

A Bright Luncheon Set Worked In Wools On Cream Crash

JJOTH ends of the large centre mat

are fringed; a simple and extremely decorative way of finishing off the edging. One double edge of each of the plate mats is fringed also, this being the opening into which the cork interiors-are inserted. : ’

Decoration consists of four rows of cross-stitch. Embroidery wool in brightest scarlet and blue is introduced as shown in the illustration. Another motif may be introduced by the initial of the owner being worked in the corner of each mat is black wool. The effect of these mats is very smart when they are completed in a full set. The rough weave of the material together with fringing and the gay combination of red and blue gives a peasant air which tones well with today’s bright modern pottery. The centre mat should measure about

lain, x 9in. Each of the plate mats is a suitable size' if measuring Sin. square when finished, and sin. square makes a neat glass mat. Each of the mats is to be double with the exception of the large centre one. The diagram shows the various sizes of the different mats. The smaller ones are shown doubled, the dotted lines indicating in all cases where the fringing is to come.

Divide your material up into the required number of pieces according to the size of set you wish to make. Cut each one out. Run a tacking thread along each edge where the dotted line indicates fringing and ■ then machine along it, using thread to tone with the material itself. Take a place mat and measure Sin. from one of the rows of machining which indicate a fringed border. Work a straight row of scarlet crosses along here, counting the threads of the coarse material so as to keep your crosses even.

Work in a second row. immediately beneath the first one, this time introducing blue crosses. Now measure ljin. away from the side of the mat and work in a row of red crosses down to the end to be fringed. Repeat a second row in blue by its side. If you wish to introduce the inilial, pencil out your own in a simple way on a piece of paper. Take a piece of tissue paper and trace your initial through on to it. Place this into position in the corner of the mat and tack it into place. Take black wool and work in the initial, using a simple outline stitch such as back-stitch or stemstitch and tear away the paper when the work is finished. Now press your work well on the wrong side under a damp cloth. Fold the mat on its wr<\ng side and machine up the sides. Whip the double raw edges together so that they will not fray, then turn your work to the right side. Tack the edges to keep them flat

' 3 (Handicrafts, No. 193—8 y Violet M. Williams.) JJ.ere is a jolly set of luncheon mats made to contain the necessary, but not very pretty, protecting cork mats. These smart mats are carried out in deep cream crash. Choose a coarse material, as the roughness of the material is part’of the charm of the completed set.

until your mat has been pressed for the second time.

Next draw away the threads from beneath the rows' of machining at the back and front of the mat, leaving a smart fringed edge which opens to receive a cork mat.

The other mats are made in exactly the same way. The large centre piece is merely cut out and the row of machining worked the required distanc6 away from each end. The other raw edges are turned in and hemmed neatly. Work the cross stitch as in the illustration and finish off with the initial if you wish.

If you prefer a whole set of the large mats may be made. One of these mats will take the side plate and glass as well as all.cutlery for a meal for one person. These single mats are very popular. A cork mat may be slipped beneath the part where the hot plate is to rest.