CURTAINS AND LINOLEUM.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 6 February 1926, Page 17

CURTAINS AND LINOLEUM.

■ HINTS FOB RENEWING. It is often found that, though the whole of the rest of a curtain is in good condition, the top part shows sign of wear. Either it is faded, soiled by dust blown in from the window, whii-n is usually open at the top, or torn where the rings are attached. A novo, .method of renovating self-coloured curtains is to cut oil the top portion .of the curtain to a depth of about ISin. Obtain two pieces of shadow cretonne, the predominant colours in which 'either match or harmonise with the curtain material. These must be the same width as the curtain, but one should be six and the other twelve inches deep. Insert the narrowere band of cretonne into the curtain six inches from the top, and the broader band six inches, from the bottom hem. Besides adding a touch of colour, this gives back the original length-after the worn part.has been taken away. The same method, without first cutting the eighteen inches, away from the top, may be applied to short curtains if they are needed to fit longer windows. When lace or net curtains are torn, place flat on the table with an ironing blanket or folded cloth underneath the torn part. Take a piece of lace or net curtaining to match as nearly as possible, and large enough to cover the hole, dip it in -cold starch, wring out lightly, place It over the hole, and press with a hot iron. The join wdl be almost invisible, as the patch merges into the fabric quite smoothly. Linoleum tha.t has become worn and unsightly can b>ie neatly repaired. First, cut out’ the w'orn part with a sham knife. Place this piece as a pattern on a now cutting of linoleum, taking care to match the design, if there is one. Glue the back of tno new piece very carefully and place in the hole, pressing it dinyja well. The patch, if neatly applied, will be hardly noticeable.

Painted linoleum and oil-cloth which has become unsightly on account of the patm’n hivink worn in patches, may he given a new Lease of life if simply lain ted with a .’nard-wearing paint. The floor should find be well scrubbed to remove all trace of wax or oil polish. When tliorotig’hly dry, apply one coat of undercoat in.g paint and follow a day or so later with a second coat. A coat of enamel can then be applied, or a coat, of varnish. If a mat is placed where traffic is concentrated, e.g. on the threshold, painted linoleum wilJ wear for a considerable time.