Page:Embroidery and Fancy Work.djvu/29

Rh purple and citrine, green and russet, pale violet and lemon, and other combinations, the most lovely transformations are wrought by this simple grounding. Where darned work is used for filling in outlines, the design should be so composed that the unworked spaces may present ornamental shapes, for they will attract the eye, and hold as important a part in the finished work as flower and leaf spaces on a darned background. In darning within the outlines, it is not necessary to darn the whole composition, though it may thus be treated and stand boldly out on a plain background with artistic effect; certain portions all through the design, say the blossoms of an apple or cherry design, may be simply outlined and veined in silk or crewel, while the fruit and leaves are darned in one or two colors, or shades of color. Care must be taken to so distribute the darned or open spaces as to avoid striping or spottiness. As it not possible to follow nature in round effects by darned work, which is conventional, it is best to use conventional coloring, or else, low tones of the natural color of the subject. Light grounds look best with a well diffused design, and dark grounds well with the design wrought in silk of a lighter shade than their own color."

The Art Amateur thus describes a remarkable table-cover worked by the Decorative Needle-Work Society in London:—

"In looking at the picture, many persons imagine that the cloth is embroidered with silver; but this is not the case, the beautiful, bright effect being produced by very simple means. The material is cream satin, and the design is outlined in blue and green silks, while the ground of the pattern is filled in with darning, in shades of pale gold filoselle, thus leaving the satin to catch the lights. The border is of green plush, on which is embroidered a handsome antique pattern, harmonizing with and relieving the centre."