COLLAR AND SLEEVE IN
BRUSSELS EMBROIDERY.

SMALL things as well as large are catching the infection of railroad speed. Our embroidery now exhibits the same spirit of rapid execution in many of its terms, such as railroad stitch, broderie à la minute, and point de la poste; all showing that rapidity is the one great point aimed at. Where slight labor produces elegance of effect, it has certainly a great claim on our favor, and in the design which we have now given this is strikingly the case. This is a specimen of work much seen in Europe, and which is extremely beautiful, more particularly so when the pattern is elaborate. We have preferred giving the first rather simple, that the sort of work may be fully understood. We recommend it with much confidence, from its being quite a novelty, and from its producing such a striking effect when executed with so little trouble. It is worked on net and muslin the same as applique, the difference being in the manner of working. The outline of the pattern is done in fine buttonhole-stitch, within which is worked a line of dots in broderie à la minute. The spots are solid. When the pattern is completed, the superfluous muslin is cut away, and the net remains between each part of the pattern. These squares of net must then be filled in with as many varie

ties of fancy lace stitches as there are squares; the greater the variety, the better. This gives the peculiarity and the originality to the effect, which, when well done, is extremely beautiful. Both the net and the muslin ought to be very

SLEEVE IN BRUSSELS EMBROIDERY.

fine. No. 12 thread to be used for the buttonhole-stitch, two sizes coarser for the broderie d la minute, and a finer for the lace stitches. The straight piece is for the sleeves, which must be worked to match.

with very good effect. Indeed, those who take an interest in ornamental work will find a number of uses to which it can be applied. If a length is required, and a repetition of the same colored flowers is not in accordance with the taste of the worker, a great diversity in the appearance of the pattern may be made by merely working both the flowers and leaves in different colors. It gives a great richness in working any foliage, to introduce as many shades of leaves as possible; and in this way a pattern may be made to look quite distinct, instead of a repetition of the same design, as every shade of green, as well as brown and even red, may be used with the best possible effect, which allows of almost endless variety. The flowers may also be diversified to a great extent. Very coarse canvas is now much used for Berlin wool work. Thus a more striking effect is produced without any additional trouble, and for cushions or ottomans these bold flower pieces are remarkably handsome.

A PRETTY ornamental border in Berlin wool work is applicable for many purposes. Placed round a square, filled in with some simple pattern, it forms a very pretty cushion, or for gentlemen's braces. A square of cloth, with a flower border in wool work, becomes an elegant small table-cover. Ottoman tops are also very easily arranged in the same manner. It can also be introduced into a travelling wallet

TAKE a square of very coarse linen of any size you please, pull the threads out all round until you have formed a fringe about two inches deep; then leave a few threads on the edge of the linen to buttonhole-stitch a border to keep it from ravelling; then pull out twenty threads and leave twelve; then again pull out twenty and leave twelve until you have gone across the linen. Take some very coarse hardtwisted embroidery cotton, and make slanting stitches on the threads that are left, doing them at exact intervals. Then take the cotton and commence on the drawn threads thus: leave eight threads and take up the next eight, passing the last eight with the coarse thread over the first eight, and so on to the end of the line. The edge must be finished by a strong buttonhole-stitch with the same coarse thread. These covers are extremely pretty for cake

baskets, if neatly done, and would cost but a few cents.

VARIEGATED PATCHWORK.

(See colored plate in front of Book.)

THIS many-colored patchwork pattern is made of pieces of high-colored cambric, sewed down on to white. The easiest way to make it is to have pieces of tin cut in the different sized points, and to have a color for each point. Cut the cambric by the tin, and stitch it down neatly upon the white, following the pattern given here. The best material is French cambric, as it is fast colors. When made neatly, and the colors tastefully contrasted or harmonized, this makes a very beautiful quilt.