ATTRACTIVE GIFTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 15, 15 December 1937, Page 26

ATTRACTIVE GIFTS

CANDLEWICK EMBROIDERED. BAGS. HOW TO MAKE THEM. (Copyright.) Candlewick embroidered bags are delightful accessories of the costume. They are among the easiest bags to make, and are exceptionally attractive when the designs are developed in two contrasting colours on a third one of rthe foundation textile. A firm, good Quality Japanese crepe is recommended for the foundation material. ft is not so closely woven that tile heavy candlewick embroidery medium tern's it when drawn through, and the weave of the goods accords well with the .work. Sizes of these hags are large for (knitting and other needlework, and of medium size for handbags. Simple wooden or composition frames suit the candlewick type of embroidery. The hag is made large enough to leave a plain portion'to extend over frames of front and hack portions. Narrow bands of the material with two rows of alternate coloured candlewick, form dots the entire length of each handle. Cut the strips wide enough for two turnings on each side, thus ensuring etrong handles.

The bags are lined with the same material as the outside, or with a good grade of mercerised sateen. This wears like iron, and has a sheen which so closely resembles real satin that it is difficult to discover whether it is or is not except on close examination. A dainty design to use for the candlewick embroidery is the growing plant. Outline the pattern units ill colour, and fill them in the scattered tufts of the same colour. Tuft the foliage and stems in one colour and the flowers in another, using a third colour for tufting the background textile. The tufts are worked about threequarters of an inch apart. The needle threaded in the candlewicking takes stitches of but a few threads of the material, spacing these running stitches three-quarters of an inch apart. The candlewicking is cut in half between this stitch, and will of itself form wee tufts like balls. The space between tufts shows the background clearly. A smart variation from the customary candlewick embroidery is to cut motifs from contrasting colour of the same material as the foundation. Outline edges of applique for the candlewick tufts on it. A unique embroidery will result, smart and distinctive.