From Milady's Boudoir

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 40, 17 February 1937, Page 14 (Supplement)

From Milady's Boudoir

Handkerchief Gifts A. GIFT of handkerchiefs pure and simple cannot be said to show much originality, but some presents made from handkerchiefs are both individual and acceptable. Handkerchief squares, in silk and georgette, dainty and well designed, may be used in carrying out many charming ideas. As centres for cushion covers, they are very effective. To make them of the required size, surrounds of wide ribbon or galon may be added, but nowadays fancy handkerchiefs are so large, and cushions so small, that usually no addition is necessary. Add a back square to harmonise with the principal colour of the handkerchief and, if the latter is particularly flimsy and delicate, strengthen it with a lining of Jap silk. As table centres the printed squares produce very decorative effects. If an oblong is needed, two or even three squares may be joined by silk faggot stitching, and a fringe added at either end. Excellent fringes for the purpose can be made by ravelling out a length of silk or a number of ribbon ends in the chief colour of the handkerchief. For the dressing table that is fitted with a glass top, a set of georgette squares form a charming “duchess set” to slip beneath the glass. The edges should be buttonhole stitched firmly in coloured silks, and further effect may be gained by embroidering the initials in a corner of each. A similar idea may be worked out for dinner mats. A couple of small handkerchiefs, with circles cut from the centres will make pretty cuffs, for an organdie or linen frock. For elbow-sleeves a larger size will give deeper squares and longer endsChecked and striped silk handkerchiefs are used this year on hats. The squares are arranged so that two points of each fold back on the crown and the other two on the brim. A band of ribbon tied round the crown holds them in position and the effect is that of a very light and pretty ruffle. Summer Memories. Sea-shell motifs are introduced in fabrics for curtains and covers. Lampshades and even table china are painted with shell designs. Patterns with a nautical air, cable, shell, ship or fish designs, are particularly suitable for bathroom curtains. Quilting is one of the most popular forms of fancy needlework nowadays and quilted hotwater bottle covers are among the favourite! article on which fashionable needlewomen work. The craze for these covers began when the Duchess of Gloucester had several included in her trousseau, made in pastel-coloured satin to harmonise with different negligee sets. A new hot-water bottle cover, shaped likd a cushion, is square and padded. The top of the bottle is concealed in one side. For the quilting, old English designs, many of them copied from ancient tapestries and paintings, are being a great deal used. American visitors in particular have adopted these designs, America is going “all out” at the moment foj the “English style” in their homes and peq sonal belongings. * * • » A piece of really modern embroidery, hows* ever, for the adornment of your clothes, is a Cairn terrier, worked, preferably, in metallic thread- He is especially smart in gold thread embroidered on the ends of a taffeta scarf ia some gay colour. Gloves in All Colours. Colours of gloves are taking a more adventurous turn, and glove firms are offering a* many as 20 different shades, including tomato red, tango, mustard yellow and light green* and bright blues. Often the gloves are part of a set of accessories, such as handbag, scarf and button-hole, so that the trouble of “match*-ing-up” is eliminated. • • • « Wax fruit beneath a glass hood gives A fashionable Victorian touch to many modern rooms, but many women will prefer the modernised version which is shown in glass fruit, peaches, pears and grapes, piled on angular dishes of clouded glass and the whole reflected on a stand of mirror glass. • • • • Salt must be always handy in the kitchen. The latest salt container is of colourful pottery, large enough to keep itself in evidence and of a convenient shape to grip. It operates by the pressure of a knob on top instead of the usual sprinkler, and as there are no air holes, the salt is saved from becoming damp with steam. • • • • What is the most sensible wedding present bearing in mind that, as a rule so many people make the same kind of gift? An enterprising person has been conducting a symposium on the subject and reports that one cannot go far wrong in giving a clock. It seems that not many people think of giving salad-bowls and that too many send ash-trays.

Nowadays when music may be heard by switching on a wireless set it is said that fewer people take the trouble to learn to play their own music. This state of affairs is changing and signs indicate that the “piano-playing daughter” is coming into her own again. A typical form of Victorian entertainment, musical evenings is being revived also.

The Duchess of York, who is recognised a* the most musical member of the royal family, has done much to set the fashion again. Princess Margaret Rose is having piano lessons, and is reported to be making really good progressThis part of her education is to receive still more attention now that she is six years old, e • » *

Moss is sometimes used to make bulb bowls more pleasing to the eye, but I have heard grass gives an even better effect. Grass seed sown thickly soon produces a growth of fine grass that makes an excellent covering for tha fibre or earth.