ORNAMENTAL NEEDLEWORK. THE NEW LEEK EMBROIDERY.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 337, 23 May 1885, Page 6

ORNAMENTAL NEEDLEWORK. THE NEW LEEK EMBROIDERY.

This new and very effective work is simple, and, for its appearance, not at all expensive. The foundation is of tussore or Japanese silk, and on this is outlined conventional patterns of an Oriental description. The leek or Algerian embroidering silk with which it is worked is to be had in all the new artistic shades, and is in appearance much like a soft thick crewel siHc. The work is done in herring-bone stitch with which the design is filled in colours to suit the worker's taste, and the centres and marked portions of the pattern are outlined in Japanese gold thread, which gives to the work a handsome and Oriental appearance. This embroidery is used for curtains, mantel drapes, brackets, screens, and indeed in any household decoration to which artistic needlework can be applied. Bell ropes (which are coming into fashion again) are very effective worked in this way on bands of tussore silk. When the work is finished these are lined with webbing, and backed, with either tussore or ordinary satin cloth. STAR IN CROCHET, SUITABLE I'OR CHAIRBACKS, &C. Make a ring of four chain, into this work one treble, four chain, one double treble, four chain, four times. Second row — Double crochet one in each stitch, three on double treble. Third row — One single in double over treble, two chain, purl of seven, two chain, one single in fifth, two chain, purl of five, two chain, one single, missing one, two chain, purl of five, two chain, miss four, and repeat. Fourth row — One single in purl, five chain, repeat. Fifth row— Double crochet. Sixth row— Treble crochet. Seventh row — One single, thirty-two chain, one single in sixth, two single, repeat. Eighth row — Attach to single in sixth of last row, and work 32 treble in chain, finishing in first single, and commencing again, so that each leaf of star overlaps the one behind it. Ninth row — X)ne double treble on the twenty-ninth and fourth treble of two leaves, thus connecting them, one treble, two chain, fifteen times, one treble, repeat. Tenth row — One double on third treble, five chain, repeat eleven times, one double. For a small star — Make four purls of seven. Second row — One single in purl, seven chain. Third row — Double crochet.