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 235 ^"^NEEDLEWORK^ This section of Every Woman 's Encyclopedia will form a practical and lucid guide to the many branches of needlework. It will be fully illustrated by diagrams and photographs, and, as in other sections of this book, the directions given are put to a practical test before they are printed. Among | the subjects dealt with will be : 1 Embroidery K'nitting Darning with a Sewing Embroidered Collars and Crochet Machine Blouses Braiding What can be done with Lace Work Art Patchwork Ribbon Draw7i Thread Work Plain Needlework German Applique Work Tatting Presents Monogrom Designs, Netting Sewing Machines etc., etc. HOW T© USE A TS.AMSFER FATTEIRN (See coloured frontispiece in this issue) By Mrs. F. NEVILL JACKSON Author of " A History of Hand-made Lnce^'' etc. The Uses of Transfer Patterns— How to Employ Them— Some Suggestions as to a Variety of Practical and Artistic Ways in Which Our Pattern May be Used — Embroidering the Yokes of Frocks— Embroidering Cushions, Tablecloths, Curtains, etc. — The Making of Buttons, e'^c. HTo the busy woman the transfer design which may readily be adapted to half a dozen uses comes as a real boon. • It is often desirable to finish the yoke of a child's frock, the collar and wristbands of a blouse, or a frilled cushion cover with a httle dainty embroidery ; but, whils we wonder what sort of design is suitable, or doubt lest a good selection may be found, the moment passes when such decoration can hd done, and we have missed an opportunity for beautifying cur handiwork. It is easy to embroider borders which are sold ready prepared with sketched-out pattern and materials for working, but if we want a pattern on stuff already in our possession, the matter is much more difficult. Tracing out designs, moreover, on a blouse- front or pretty petticoat costs a good deal of money, for such special work cannot be done except by experts. It is on these occasions that iron-off patterns are useful. The iron should not be too hot, and must be placed on the design in exactly the spot required. After this there is nothing to do but to sew over the lines in wool, silk, flax thread, coloured cotton, chenille, or ribbon according to taste and the use to which the embroidery is to be put. The very large place taken by needlework in the dress trimming of the day would alone be sufficient to render the presentation of our pattern most opportune, especially as the more desirable forms of all such needle- craft are worked on the stuff directly. The transfer can be ironed-off on to any material, and, if liked, specially adapted to the needs of the moment. In ornamenting a very narrow yoke, for instance, in a child's dress, just so much blossom, leaf, and stalk can be cut from our design as is necessary, tacked down on to the yoke, and then ironed-off. Such adaptation gives scope for individual taste, and the home designer will soon get into the knack of adapting a practical pattern to her own particular needs. When Decorating a Room It is an excellent plan, if you are contem- plating the decoration of a certain room, to adopt a spray or special pattern, which you maintain as a kind of family possession, and which you gradually extend through- out your house. Gradually our rose spray might become as individual as your monogram, and might appear in all places where a personal note is desirable. For the bride-elect this plan might be adopted with great success, and her rose dining-room, drawing-room, or bedroom would become a much-envied and talked-of possession.