EMBROIDERY TRIMMINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17145, 26 April 1919, Page 4 (Supplement)

EMBROIDERY TRIMMINGS.

We seem to have suddenly discarded the lace, crochet, and various fancy collars so popular a little while ago. The up-to-date blouse or dress is cut low in the neck, and is usually left plain, unless it is trimmed with fur, which is a decidedly expensive method of trimming, not to mention its barbarity, Yet some sort of decoration is really necessary if the blouse is to look finished, and fur, even to those who care to use it, becomes monotonous if it is put on everything. The new style of blouse and frock gives a splendid opportunity to the embroiderer, and so many women are clever at this form of needlecraft, even if they have not had special lessons in it. The plain sweep of colour which the present-day dresses present, unspoiled by any fussy little tabs, lapels, and buttons, is just what is re- : quired for tho effective working of a good embroidery design, and can be made to look really rich and beautiful if carefully and tastefully treated. Simple and bold designs are on the whole the best, and choice of colours is all important. Bright colours are effective and satisfactory if used judiciously, but great care must be taken in using them to choose those which harmonise with each other, and with the material oh' which they are to bo placed. But after all, this is perhaps the main secret, even in using quiet colouring, to make a harmonious whole. Blues, greens, and crimsons and so on are safe colours; but ther« is nothing like studying Nature to get beautiful effects in this respect and to be sure of displaying, and cultivating, good taste. It must be remembered, too, that much of the interest and charm of embroidery depends upon the fancifulness, ingenuity, and suitability of tho stitches which are employed, and of these there is endless variety. Then the richer the material, the richer must be that with which it is decorated; it is always a great mistake to let the background outshine that which is intended to enrich and embellish it.