MOTHERS' COLUMN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue VIII, 14 August 1897, Page 254

MOTHERS' COLUMN.

Something new in the way of a bassinette is not always easy to discover, but the design I give here will, I am sure, appeal to all young mothers in search of novelty. It is of French origin ; few pretty things for children are not. In fact, I very much doubt if one could obtain exactly the same coarse pale blue and white checked linen that is used as the foundation of the cot unless one were to send to Paris direct; but something very nearly approaching it can certainly be had, and the decorative idea of its treatment could be carried out in the same way. On the darker shade of the squares a floral spray is embroidered in white embroidery cotton after the fashion of Mountmellick work, and on the white squares

another kind of floral spray, like those given in the detail, is embroidered in pale blue flax-thread. The same kind of thread and colour are used to render the white linen lace more fanciful and in harmony with the rest of the ornamentation. The little cross legs are enamelled either pale blue or white ; but, whichever be chosen, it must also be repeated on the curved iron hook which supports the white linen curtains. These are decorated with rows of drawn linen work and a border of floral sprays executed in pale blue flax thread, a large pale blue bow finishing the curtains off at the top. A unique little bed for baby is formed in this way, and is quite a relief from the multitudinous Valenciennes lace and blue or pink bows. Unless a down quilt be used, nothing makes baby a cosier couvre pied than one of pale blue Pyreneen wool. One of the great advantages of this little cot is that the sides are fastened firmly to the legs, thus preventing any chance of its being rocked. This is a most pernicious habit to allow any nurse to get into, and it is awful to think that the somnolent effect it produces in the child is really the result of the blood going to the head.