THE PIANO.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIII, Issue XI, 15 September 1894, Page 262

THE PIANO.

'R some time past carefulminded people have been addicted to the habit of covering the key-board of their piano when it is not being used ; but rarely, if ever, is an ornamental cover of this kind to be met with. Baize, flannel, or cloth just pinked out round the edges has been deemed a sufficient protection, and doubtless has sufficed for all practical purposes. But it is somewhat wonderful that such a long narrow, strip of material—the shape that lends itself so eminently to decorative treatment —should have hitherto escaped the inventive genius of the designer, and the skilled needle of the art-worker. Now, however, we are going to change all that ; and I think that it will be difficult to find a prettier idea for the purpose than the one I have sketched for you in my first illustration, and I am going to tell you how it is made. The groundwork is of yellow satin, and on to this is sewn a waving band of ivorytinted ribbon, which twists and turns in the manner indicated in the sketch. It must be hemmed down very securely, and very small stitches, with fine silk

exactly matching it in hue; then you must proceed to sketch the irises and their foliage, so that they wind about the ribbon in graceful fashion, crossing it here and there. They should be worked in stem and satin stitch, using light green and filoselle silk divided twice for the violet leaves and stem. Three shades of violet would be required for the blossoms, running from the deeper tones of purple to a pale delicate mauve. When the work is complete, place the strip on the ironing table, right side downwards, cover with a strip of damp muslin, and iron smooth with a heavy iron. It should be lined with thin chamois leather, and the whole edged neatly with a fine twisted cord. The motto embroidered on the ribbon is ‘ Where music dwells lingering and wandering on as loth to die.’