A Charming Set for a Bridge-Luncheon

EVERYBODY plays bridge occasionally -

nearly everybody, that is. It is .one of

the pleasantest ways imaginable to spend

a social hour, all the more so if the gathering

is quite informal and of congenial acquaint-

ances. One little mistress o' the manse whom I know

tells me she invariably has a delightful game, without

the extension of invitations, on most of her “at home"

days. One good friend calls, then another and another

still—and then comes bridge. And after bridge there

is the simple little luncheon, or afternoon-tea. which is a

delight in itself if not too much trouble is taken with it.

The card-table cover is removed, and its place taken by

a cloth made as dainty as possible by means of lace

and embroidery, or any variety of decoration that may

be preferred. There are napkins to match, four in

number: and the little chat over the teacups or the

tinkling glasses of delicious coolness, is almost the

nicest part of the afternoon.

The set illustrated will be liked for other than a

bridge-luncheon, adding to the number of napkins as

desired. The cloth, of fine white linen, is one yard

square, and the embroidery is simple but very pleasing—

featuring Venetian cutwork or ladderwork For this

run the outline of the edges of the spaces, to be cut out.

with fine running-stitches: then carry another row of

these stitches along the line—alternating with the preceding

row so that the surface stitches

cover the space between the

first—to the first bar; lead

across to the opposite side,

fasten in with a tiny button-

hole-stitch, return to the point

of departure, again lead across,

and returning buttonhole,

weave or twist closely the bar

of threads: proceed in the same

way to next bar and continue

until all are in, then carry the

running-stitch, as directed,

along the opposite edge. Cut

through the middle of space

carefully, snip the linen out to

the edge in several places, fold

back the tiny tabs, thus made,

evenly, and buttonhole over

the doubled edge; then clip

away the raw edges outside the

buttonholing.

Another method which rec-

ommends itself to many

workers has the outline run

with two or three rows of

stitches, or it may be machine-

stitched if desired: then button-

hole the edge to the bar,

which is made as described,

buttonhole to next bar, and so

on. returning with buttonhole-

stitches along the other side.

The linen has then to be cut

away.

With the cutwork-motif is

just a touch of solid embroid-

ery, enough to give charac-

edge is

hemstitch,'’ and a

crochet. For the

r eight

about one

inch from

and

to

edge

basting it

ter to the design, and the effect is very good indeed: one

could scarce ask anything more dainty. There is a single

motif in each corner of the cloth, and in one corner of

the napkin. The edge is finished

with “buttonhole-

narrow border in

lunchcloth, draw

t h r e a d s

fourth

the edge,

the hem

outer

this space

evenly.

1. Using

cro ch e t -

coarser, if

fasten in over edge

double. * chain 1,

, a double

next 2

making 3 No< 18SS Na The

l at each Lunch-Napkin

2. Chain 4. for

miss 3, a double

chain 7, miss 3, a double in next, chain

fold

t he

of

No. 100

cotton, or

preferred,

of hem with a

miss 8 of the drawn

over the

threads,

doubles,

corner,

a double

treble in next stitch,

1. miss 1, a double

threads,

tween

peat, i

between

hem be-

an d re-

1 chain

treble. *

in next, chain 7, miss 3. a double treble in next.

repeat from ♦. joining la.st 7 chain to top of I chain.

3. (Chain 5, fasten back in 1st stitch of the chain for

a picot) 3 times, 9 doubles under 7 chain, 5 doublesunder

next 7 chain, turn, chain 6, fasten in 5th double of preceding

chain, turn, fill 6 chain with 4 doubles, picot of 5 chain, 4

doubles, 4 more doubles to fill 7 chain; repeat around.

This edging is a dainty one for handkerchiefs and

other small, fine articles, and is very quickly made.

C&)

lAf ILL you not tell me how to make the sleeve-holder.-,

of ivory rings, crocheted together with odds and

ends of thread, and with ribbon run in? These are valued

highly by father, brother, husband or friend, and I am

sure many will like to have instructions for them before

Christmas.—Mrs. II. S. .1., Iowa.

(If I wished to make such a sleeve-holder. I should

choose rings of desired size, say three-fourths inch or

more in diameter, fasten in and fill one half of a ring

with doubles, using a rather coarse perle cotton, and

making a picot every fourth or fifth double, or not. as

liked. Then I would hold another ring close to the first,

and half fill that, repeating until I had joined a sufficient

number to surround the arm for which the holder was in-

tended: working entirely around the last ring. I would

make a double between

rings, and continue to fill the re-

maining half of each ring,

joining last double to first.

The ends may be joined, or not;

lace ribbon through the rings,

and tie in a pretty bow where

the ends come together. An-

other style of band may be

made as follows: Hold two

rings together, one on top of

the other, fasten through both.,

and make four half trebles—

chain two for first: draw the

second or under ring away from

the other, place a third ring

under that, and again work

four half trebles through both;

repeat until you have as many

rings as required for the length,

work twenty half trebles around

the last ring alone, then four

half trebles through the ring

that lies on top Qf that and

also through last ring, taken

together, four half trebles

through next ring and ring

below, and repeat to the end,

filling the end with twenty half

trebles and joining to first.

Fasten off. and tie the ends

with a ribbon. Very pretty

tie-backs for curtains, napkin-

rings, and other articles for

Christmas-gifts may be made

in this way.)

cSb

IA7THCH monogram should a

vv prospective bride use on

her household-linens—the family

name or that of her future

husband?—M. II.. Ohio.

(Her own monogram or initial

should be placed on all linens

provided by herself or her family

before marriage—this as a rule.

In rare exceptions I have

known of, the embroidering of

initials or monograms was left

until after the wedding, when

the married name was used. In

one instance the initial of the

bride's own family name and

that of her husband were com-

bined.)