Small Gifts for Little Fingers -
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Crocheted Mats For Washstand And Table
Any girl who knows how to crochet may make these very useful gifts. For the washstand five mats complete the set, - a large round mat, for the wash-bowl; two smaller, for the little pitcher and the mug; and two, which may be oval, for the soap-dish and brush-tray. Two balls of white tidy-cotton No. 8 make a set.
Start with a chain of five stitches, loop it, and crochet around, widening often enough to keep it flat. When the mat has reached the proper size, finish it off with a border of loops in three rows of long crochet arranged in groups with a dividing loop. The first row should have three stitches in a group; the second, four; and the third, five. The mats must be washed, starched very stiff, and ironed.
Mats for the table are made in the same way; but an improvement is to crochet them over lamp-wicking, which increases the stiffness.
Two large oval mats for the soup-tureen, and fish or meat platters, and four round ones for vegetable-dishes, usually make up the set; but small mats for gravy-dish, pitchers, etc., may be added if desired.
Pansy Pincushion
The best way to make one is to take a real pansy, and copy it as nearly as possible.
Suppose you choose the old-fashioned kind, with two purple upper petals, and three yellow lower petals. Cut out two pasteboard shapes as nearly like the flower as you can make them, but at least twice the size (or follow diagram given), and cover the upper half of each with purple velvet, and the lower half, which must contain the three yellow petals, with yellow silk to match.
Lay the two shapes together, and overseam the edges, leaving a small open space through which to stuff the pincushion. For this, use snips of worsted, crowding it tightly into every corner to make all hard and firm. Your next task is to draw the pansy's features in stitches of black and yellow silk, copying nature as best you can. This is good practice for the eye; and the result is likely to be better than if you followed a pattern in a book.
Any girl who knows how to crochet may make these very useful gifts. For the washstand five mats complete the set, - a large round mat, for the wash-bowl; two smaller, for the little pitcher and the mug; and two, which may be oval, for the soap-dish and brush-tray. Two balls of white tidy-cotton No. 8 make a set.
Start with a chain of five stitches, loop it, and crochet around, widening often enough to keep it flat. When the mat has reached the proper size, finish it off with a border of loops in three rows of long crochet arranged in groups with a dividing loop. The first row should have three stitches in a group; the second, four; and the third, five. The mats must be washed, starched very stiff, and ironed.
Mats for the table are made in the same way; but an improvement is to crochet them over lamp-wicking, which increases the stiffness.
Two large oval mats for the soup-tureen, and fish or meat platters, and four round ones for vegetable-dishes, usually make up the set; but small mats for gravy-dish, pitchers, etc., may be added if desired.
Pansy Pincushion
The best way to make one is to take a real pansy, and copy it as nearly as possible.
Suppose you choose the old-fashioned kind, with two purple upper petals, and three yellow lower petals. Cut out two pasteboard shapes as nearly like the flower as you can make them, but at least twice the size (or follow diagram given), and cover the upper half of each with purple velvet, and the lower half, which must contain the three yellow petals, with yellow silk to match.
Lay the two shapes together, and overseam the edges, leaving a small open space through which to stuff the pincushion. For this, use snips of worsted, crowding it tightly into every corner to make all hard and firm. Your next task is to draw the pansy's features in stitches of black and yellow silk, copying nature as best you can. This is good practice for the eye; and the result is likely to be better than if you followed a pattern in a book.
Pansy Pincushion
Parasol Penwipers
Buy the smallest-sized lead-pencil for sale, provided with an ivory or ornamented tip, and sharpen the point. Cut a circle of silk, and another, rather smaller, of thin black cloth : scallop the edges, and make a tiny hole in the middle of each. Fit the sharpened point of the pencil into these holes, taking care that the silk is outside the cloth ; and then, by creasing and folding, persuade the circles to take the shape of a closed parasol, winding silk around to secure them in place, as a strap is arranged to keep the parasol closed. Cut a paper pattern first, and trim it to fit the length of your lead-pencil, before cutting the silk and cloth circles.
Work-Cases
In old times these were called"housewives,"as grandma will tell you, should you make one for her. Almost any firm material can be used for making them. But here is a very pretty pattern. Take gray or yellow Java canvas, twelve inches long and seven wide, with a bright-colored silk for lining. Feather-stitch the canvas down both sides, and across one end, leaving space to turn in the edges. Baste on the lining, and finish the edges neatly by turning in and blind-stitching ; or bind them with ribbon to match the silk lining. The feather-stitched end is then pointed by turning down the corners, and sewing them together. Turn the lower end up about four inches to form a bag, and sew the sides together firmly. Make a loop at the point, and sew a button on the outside; so that the case may be rolled up and fastened.
Presents In Birch-Bark
Birch-bark is easily obtained; and numberless pretty things may be made out of this soft and flexible material.
A few are suggested here, and your invention will help you to more. Think of some other useful and pretty gifts besides the letter-cases, wall-baskets, glove-boxes, napkin-rings, handkerchief-cases, portfolios, and table-mats, that may be constructed of birch-bark.
There are two ways of using the bark; but in all cases a pasteboard shape, like the article to be made, must be first cut out. This shape may be covered with a thin, smooth piece of bark lined with silk, and the edges bound with bright ribbon. Or the bark, of the exact shape to be covered, is cut in strips, united at one end, and ribbon is woven across the strips, and fastened neatly at either end. The pasteboard is then covered with the braided bark, lined with silk to match the ribbon, and the edges bound as before. Bows of ribbon finish the dainty present.
Straw Wall-Basket
Little girls who can work patiently may make a very pretty basket out of straw braided with ribbon, if mamma will give a little help. Select a number of smooth, perfect straws. Cut a half-circle of pasteboard, nine inches long, and make a row of small holes around the edge, half an inch apart. Cut a strip of the pasteboard a little less than half an inch wide and nine inches long, and make small holes in it one inch apart. Cut a second strip sixteen inches long, and treat it in the same way Now take a straw twelve inches long, and fit one end into the middle hole of the short strip of pasteboard, and the other end into the middle hole of the half-circle's straight edge, letting the straw project about two inches below. The half-circle forms the bottom of the basket, and you are beginning to make the back, which is flat, and hangs against the wall. On either side of the middle straw insert a straw three-quarters of an inch shorter; and so proceed until all the holes are filled, and the pointed back is complete. The holes must be small enough to keep the straws in place without other fastening.
The rounded front of the basket is made by fitting straws in the same way into the longer strip of pasteboard, and the rounding edge of the half-circle; all the straws being six inches in length. Fasten the two ends of the long strip firmly to the ends of the short strip. Sew blue chenille over the pasteboard edges wherever they show, and weave blue ribbon in and out of the straws that make the basket-front. Run ribbon once across the back, following the outline of the point, and an inch from the edge. Make a bow in the middle. Girls of fourteen or fifteen, who have a brother with a jack-knife to help them, might make beautiful and more durable baskets in the same way, by using strips of fine bamboo, or cane (which can be obtained at a Japanese store), in place of the straw.
Feather Screens
The making of screens and fans in feathers is both pleasant and ornamental work.
To make a screen, begin as follows : mould a piece of wire into the shape of a heart, and cover this, by means of a needle
Buy the smallest-sized lead-pencil for sale, provided with an ivory or ornamented tip, and sharpen the point. Cut a circle of silk, and another, rather smaller, of thin black cloth : scallop the edges, and make a tiny hole in the middle of each. Fit the sharpened point of the pencil into these holes, taking care that the silk is outside the cloth ; and then, by creasing and folding, persuade the circles to take the shape of a closed parasol, winding silk around to secure them in place, as a strap is arranged to keep the parasol closed. Cut a paper pattern first, and trim it to fit the length of your lead-pencil, before cutting the silk and cloth circles.
Work-Cases
In old times these were called"housewives,"as grandma will tell you, should you make one for her. Almost any firm material can be used for making them. But here is a very pretty pattern. Take gray or yellow Java canvas, twelve inches long and seven wide, with a bright-colored silk for lining. Feather-stitch the canvas down both sides, and across one end, leaving space to turn in the edges. Baste on the lining, and finish the edges neatly by turning in and blind-stitching ; or bind them with ribbon to match the silk lining. The feather-stitched end is then pointed by turning down the corners, and sewing them together. Turn the lower end up about four inches to form a bag, and sew the sides together firmly. Make a loop at the point, and sew a button on the outside; so that the case may be rolled up and fastened.
Presents In Birch-Bark
Birch-bark is easily obtained; and numberless pretty things may be made out of this soft and flexible material.
A few are suggested here, and your invention will help you to more. Think of some other useful and pretty gifts besides the letter-cases, wall-baskets, glove-boxes, napkin-rings, handkerchief-cases, portfolios, and table-mats, that may be constructed of birch-bark.
There are two ways of using the bark; but in all cases a pasteboard shape, like the article to be made, must be first cut out. This shape may be covered with a thin, smooth piece of bark lined with silk, and the edges bound with bright ribbon. Or the bark, of the exact shape to be covered, is cut in strips, united at one end, and ribbon is woven across the strips, and fastened neatly at either end. The pasteboard is then covered with the braided bark, lined with silk to match the ribbon, and the edges bound as before. Bows of ribbon finish the dainty present.
Straw Wall-Basket
Little girls who can work patiently may make a very pretty basket out of straw braided with ribbon, if mamma will give a little help. Select a number of smooth, perfect straws. Cut a half-circle of pasteboard, nine inches long, and make a row of small holes around the edge, half an inch apart. Cut a strip of the pasteboard a little less than half an inch wide and nine inches long, and make small holes in it one inch apart. Cut a second strip sixteen inches long, and treat it in the same way Now take a straw twelve inches long, and fit one end into the middle hole of the short strip of pasteboard, and the other end into the middle hole of the half-circle's straight edge, letting the straw project about two inches below. The half-circle forms the bottom of the basket, and you are beginning to make the back, which is flat, and hangs against the wall. On either side of the middle straw insert a straw three-quarters of an inch shorter; and so proceed until all the holes are filled, and the pointed back is complete. The holes must be small enough to keep the straws in place without other fastening.
The rounded front of the basket is made by fitting straws in the same way into the longer strip of pasteboard, and the rounding edge of the half-circle; all the straws being six inches in length. Fasten the two ends of the long strip firmly to the ends of the short strip. Sew blue chenille over the pasteboard edges wherever they show, and weave blue ribbon in and out of the straws that make the basket-front. Run ribbon once across the back, following the outline of the point, and an inch from the edge. Make a bow in the middle. Girls of fourteen or fifteen, who have a brother with a jack-knife to help them, might make beautiful and more durable baskets in the same way, by using strips of fine bamboo, or cane (which can be obtained at a Japanese store), in place of the straw.
Feather Screens
The making of screens and fans in feathers is both pleasant and ornamental work.
To make a screen, begin as follows : mould a piece of wire into the shape of a heart, and cover this, by means of a needle
and thread, with dark-colored gauze or tarlatan. Round the edge of this frame fasten a row of peacock's feathers with gum. A very little gum put under the quills, and left to dry with a weight on them, will make them easily adhere. Place a second row of feathers, so that the eyes of them come just between those of the first row. Next make another frame in the same manner as before, but let the edge of it only extend as far as the quills of the second row of feathers. Border this with the side fringe-feathers of the peacock's tail, and then dispose of some red ones at the top, or any kind fancy may dictate or you possess, finishing off with a bunch of gray fluff feathers, or a knot of crimson ribbon and a gilt handle. For the back, cut a piece of cardboard the exact shape and size of the foundation of the screen, cover it with crimson silk, and gum on behind. Another, even prettier, screen is made as follows, both sides alike : Prepare a frame (circular in shape) as before. Edge it thickly all round, by means of a needle and thread, with the fringe-feathers of the peacock's tail. Then put alternately, in the six spaces between the points of the star which is to be cut for the centre, rows of the small brown, gold, and green feathers from the neck and back of the bird. Cut out a star in cardboard; edge it on each side with a small red feather, and cover the whole of the rest (by means of gum), one close over the other, with the bright-blue feathers from the peacock's breast. Cut out a small circle in cardboard, which edge with a row of canary-bird or any dyed yellow feathers, letting the centre be scarlet. On this a gold monogram in repousse work may be placed. A gilt handle, and knot of ribbon, complete so elegant a fan, that one made for a wedding-present was supposed to be the finest Brazilian work.
Mats made of cloth or straw are very pretty with a border of feathers. These may also be utilized for trimmings of hats, muffs, or jackets, particularly pheasant's and pea-fowl's. Trimmings are made by sewing the feathers on in rows of three and two, or three and four, one over the other, on a narrow ribbon of the same color.
Spatter-Work
The materials needed for spatter-work are bristol-board, India-ink, a fine-toothed comb, toothbrush having long firm bristles, some fine pins, a tack-hammer, and a smooth board on which to fasten your paper.
An artistic design is the chief requisite for successful work; and Nature will supply you with beautiful models in her tiniest leaves and ferns and mosses, with quaint shapes of cup and hood. Gather them carefully, and press them, and, when your paper is firmly fastened to the board, arrange a graceful bunch of leaves and sprays, with, if you choose, a paper pattern of cross or basket around which to group them. But the simplest arrangement is always best. Pin each leaf carefully in its place with small pins, lest the ink should spatter under it. Rub the India-ink with water in a saucer to the thickness of cream. Colored ink may be used instead, if you prefer; or any water-color paint may be prepared in the same way as India-ink, except that it should be thinner. Dip the toothbrush lightly in the ink, and, by rubbing it gently over the comb, send a fine spray of ink upon the paper, repeating the process until the tint is deep enough. The lower part of the work may be shaded more deeply, to give perspective; but, as the ink is much darker when dry, be careful not to make the tint too deep. Now carefully remove the pattern, and a white design appears, which must be deftly touched up with a fine camel's-hair brush dipped in the ink. Put in the veins of the leaves, and shade those parts of the design which would naturally be in shadow.
When all is done, and the ink is perfectly dry, the paper should be pressed on the wrong side with a warm iron, not a hot one.
The paragraph on birch-bark suggests a number of pretty gifts, which can all be made equally well out of spattered bristol-board, and many more things, like tidies, pincushions, and lamp-shades. Aprons, too, can be made of fine Swiss muslin decorated with spatter-work. White holly-wood is sometimes carved into paper-knives, work-boxes, glove-cases, and book-covers, and decorated with spatter-work; burnt-umber being used instead of ink.
Shadow-Pictures
There is a simpler way of obtaining pictures, having much the same effect as spatter-work. At any large artist's materials store can be purchased a sensitive-paper, which changes color when exposed to the light. A large roll of this photographic paper costs only fifty cents. Any pretty design may be placed upon a square of the paper, and exposed to the sunlight for a few moments, when, on removing the pattern, the tint beneath will be found much darker than the prevailing tint of the paper. Pour water abundantly over the whole, and the design will become white, while, wonderful to say, the background changes to dark blue. Pictures obtained in this way may be turned to use in the manner described for spatter-work.
Book-Covers
As books are of many different sizes, it is clear that one cover will not fit them all; but you may guess, perhaps, what size would be most useful to the friend for whom you wish to make it. A Bible-cover is a lovely gift to make. If should be cut from chamois-leather, exactly the size of the open Bible, with a narrow piece sewed on at each end to fold under. Pink the edges all round. Sew the flaps very firmly and neatly on the wrong side of the cover, leaving the points of the cover to project, and form an edge. A monogram, or any appropriate motto, may be embroidered on the cover.
Another useful gift is a dictionary-cover, made in the same way; or it may be cut out of brown linen, and bound around the edges with dark-brown braid.
Scent-Cases For Trunks
These are useful gifts for a friend who travels often Clothing packed away in trunks is apt to contract a smell of leather; and a large case of silk or muslin, scented with delicate powder, and made to fit the top of the trunk, will be sure to be appreciated.
Cabin-Bags
Another gift for travellers is a cabin-bag, which is made like a shoe-bag, and can be tacked against the wall of the state-room, within reach of berth or sofa.
Cut a large square of stout linen or cretonne. Stitch two rows of pockets upon it, and make a small pincushion to be hung at the middle and top. Bind the edges with braid, and make loops by which to hang it up.
This useful bag will take the place of a bureau in the crowded space of a state-room.
Work-Aprons
Cut out an apron by any ordinary pattern, but about ten inches longer. This extra length is turned up from the bottom, and divided off, by stitching, into three or four deep, narrow pockets, which will hold knitting, scraps of work, or sewing-materials.
Very dainty ones are made of pongee or fine linen, with a design stamped upon the space turned up for pockets, and embroidered in stem-stitch. A bunch of flowers with two or three bees fluttering over them, and along the hem the motto, "How doth the little busy bee Improve each shining hour," make a design which has become very popular. These busy-bee aprons are finished off with pretty bows of ribbon.
Spatter-Work
The materials needed for spatter-work are bristol-board, India-ink, a fine-toothed comb, toothbrush having long firm bristles, some fine pins, a tack-hammer, and a smooth board on which to fasten your paper.
An artistic design is the chief requisite for successful work; and Nature will supply you with beautiful models in her tiniest leaves and ferns and mosses, with quaint shapes of cup and hood. Gather them carefully, and press them, and, when your paper is firmly fastened to the board, arrange a graceful bunch of leaves and sprays, with, if you choose, a paper pattern of cross or basket around which to group them. But the simplest arrangement is always best. Pin each leaf carefully in its place with small pins, lest the ink should spatter under it. Rub the India-ink with water in a saucer to the thickness of cream. Colored ink may be used instead, if you prefer; or any water-color paint may be prepared in the same way as India-ink, except that it should be thinner. Dip the toothbrush lightly in the ink, and, by rubbing it gently over the comb, send a fine spray of ink upon the paper, repeating the process until the tint is deep enough. The lower part of the work may be shaded more deeply, to give perspective; but, as the ink is much darker when dry, be careful not to make the tint too deep. Now carefully remove the pattern, and a white design appears, which must be deftly touched up with a fine camel's-hair brush dipped in the ink. Put in the veins of the leaves, and shade those parts of the design which would naturally be in shadow.
When all is done, and the ink is perfectly dry, the paper should be pressed on the wrong side with a warm iron, not a hot one.
The paragraph on birch-bark suggests a number of pretty gifts, which can all be made equally well out of spattered bristol-board, and many more things, like tidies, pincushions, and lamp-shades. Aprons, too, can be made of fine Swiss muslin decorated with spatter-work. White holly-wood is sometimes carved into paper-knives, work-boxes, glove-cases, and book-covers, and decorated with spatter-work; burnt-umber being used instead of ink.
Shadow-Pictures
There is a simpler way of obtaining pictures, having much the same effect as spatter-work. At any large artist's materials store can be purchased a sensitive-paper, which changes color when exposed to the light. A large roll of this photographic paper costs only fifty cents. Any pretty design may be placed upon a square of the paper, and exposed to the sunlight for a few moments, when, on removing the pattern, the tint beneath will be found much darker than the prevailing tint of the paper. Pour water abundantly over the whole, and the design will become white, while, wonderful to say, the background changes to dark blue. Pictures obtained in this way may be turned to use in the manner described for spatter-work.
Book-Covers
As books are of many different sizes, it is clear that one cover will not fit them all; but you may guess, perhaps, what size would be most useful to the friend for whom you wish to make it. A Bible-cover is a lovely gift to make. If should be cut from chamois-leather, exactly the size of the open Bible, with a narrow piece sewed on at each end to fold under. Pink the edges all round. Sew the flaps very firmly and neatly on the wrong side of the cover, leaving the points of the cover to project, and form an edge. A monogram, or any appropriate motto, may be embroidered on the cover.
Another useful gift is a dictionary-cover, made in the same way; or it may be cut out of brown linen, and bound around the edges with dark-brown braid.
Scent-Cases For Trunks
These are useful gifts for a friend who travels often Clothing packed away in trunks is apt to contract a smell of leather; and a large case of silk or muslin, scented with delicate powder, and made to fit the top of the trunk, will be sure to be appreciated.
Cabin-Bags
Another gift for travellers is a cabin-bag, which is made like a shoe-bag, and can be tacked against the wall of the state-room, within reach of berth or sofa.
Cut a large square of stout linen or cretonne. Stitch two rows of pockets upon it, and make a small pincushion to be hung at the middle and top. Bind the edges with braid, and make loops by which to hang it up.
This useful bag will take the place of a bureau in the crowded space of a state-room.
Work-Aprons
Cut out an apron by any ordinary pattern, but about ten inches longer. This extra length is turned up from the bottom, and divided off, by stitching, into three or four deep, narrow pockets, which will hold knitting, scraps of work, or sewing-materials.
Very dainty ones are made of pongee or fine linen, with a design stamped upon the space turned up for pockets, and embroidered in stem-stitch. A bunch of flowers with two or three bees fluttering over them, and along the hem the motto, "How doth the little busy bee Improve each shining hour," make a design which has become very popular. These busy-bee aprons are finished off with pretty bows of ribbon.