281. Do Not Use Coarse Thread
An expert needlewoman says that the reason
why so much embroidery does not look attractive is that too coarse a
thread is used for the work. It is not a bad rule to use a cotton a number
or two finer than is recommended, unless the advice comes from one who
understands embroidery perfectly.
More
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27. Washing Hair Brushes
To wash hair brushes take a piece of washing soda, dissolve it in warm water, and stand the brush in it, taking care that the water covers only the bristles. It will almost instantly become clean and white. Place it in the air to dry, bristles downward,... 270. Washing Quilts
To wash quilts a housekeeper gives the following directions: Dissolve a bar of white soap in a cupful of water. Run into your bath-tub sufficient water to cover one quilt; make a good suds, and put in the quilt, and let it soak for a few minutes. Do not... 271. Shrinking Dress Goods
Before making the white linen dress skirt, or any material that is liable to shrink, fold the goods carefully and place it in a tub and cover with water. Let it get thoroughly wet, stretch the clothes line as tightly as possible, hang the goods through ... 272. Fixing Worn Corsets
For stitching over worn corset stays, a wide white tape is unequaled. ... 273. Cooking Breakfast Food
Don't leave the tin lid on the saucepan if you start the cereal in the evening for breakfast. It will rust and the moisture drip into the food. ... 274. Tough Meat to Make Tender
Tough meat can be made tender by adding a teacupful of lemon juice to the water in which it is boiled. ... 275. To Preserve Pineapple
To preserve pineapple allow only three-quarters of a pound of sugar to each pound of pineapple. ... 276. Hemstitching Underclothing
Hemstitching forms a dainty finish for the household linen and underclothing, but the busy woman often will not undertake it because of the difficulty of drawing the threads. If a piece of white soap be rubbed on the underside of the cloth, where the h... 277. To Boil Eggs Without Cracking Them
To boil eggs without the risk of cracking, hold them in a spoonful of boiling water before immersing them. ... 278. Save the Basting Thread
Basting threads, when saved, should be wound on a spool, otherwise they get hopelessly tangled and are not used again. ... 279. Threading Needles
Thread will knot less easily, if the end that is broken from the spool is run through the eye of the needle. ... 28. Loops on Towels
Always have a loop on each end of the kitchen towel, where a roller is not used. Otherwise all the soil and the wear come on the lower end. ... 280. Measuring Dress Goods
Do not measure dress goods and laces with a tape line, as it stretches the material. Use a yardstick. ... 281. Do Not Use Coarse Thread
An expert needlewoman says that the reason why so much embroidery does not look attractive is that too coarse a thread is used for the work. It is not a bad rule to use a cotton a number or two finer than is recommended, unless the advice comes from one... 282. Putting in a Temporary Hem
The hem of a dress that must be lengthened after it is laundered should be turned perfectly straight and stitched with number one hundred thread. It can be easily ripped and the fine threads will not leave the usual stitched lines that one often sees w... 283. Serviceable Child's Dress
A quaint little frock that will be serviceable, can be made from a remnant of demi flouncing hemstitched on the embroidered edge. This placed at the hem, of course, and the top is gathered in Mother Hubbard style into a neck band edged with a little fr... 284. Convenience for the Sewing Room
A good sized waste basket should be continually close to every sewing machine. Then it is easy to form the habit of dropping all scraps into it just as the scissors make them, instead of leaving them to litter about the floor. ... 285. Buttons for Future Use
When buttons are removed from a dress for future use they should be loosely strung on a thread before being put in the button box. This is a time-saver as well as keeps the buttons from getting lost or several of a set from being used. ... 286. Basting Long Seams
When basting long seams, if the edge of the material is slipped under the machine needle and the needle is lowered it firmly holds the two pieces, and one can more quickly do the work. ... 287. Mending Table Linen
A woman who is expert in mending table linen does it in this manner: A piece of linen is coated with white soap, to make it stiff and the patch is evenly trimmed. This is placed under the hole in the damask after the edges around the hole in the tablecl... 288. Washing Cooking Utensils
All the cooking utensils should be washed with soda immediately after they have been used, which will remove every trace of grease. ... 289. To Make Soft Soap
Soft soap made from half a pound of shaved hard soap and two quarts of water will save the soap bill at cleaning time. ... 29. Changing Pillow Slips
To change pillow slips without scattering the feathers all over the house, sew up the clean tick, all except a space of about twelve inches. Take the full pillow unopened and baste one side of the empty one to the full one. Then with a knife slit open t... 290. Separate Night and Day Pillows
If separate night and day pillows are not used, as is now generally done, the bed will look neater if special pillow slips are kept to put on over the wrinkled pillow cases by day. ... 291. To Keep An Iron Sink in Good Condition
To keep an iron sink in good condition, scrub once or twice a week with hand soap and kerosene. Every night put a little chloride of lime in the strainer and pour through it a kettleful of boiling water. ... 292. Steaming or Boiling Pudding
In steaming or boiling puddings, as the water boils away add more boiling water. If cold water is added, for a short time at least, the foodstuff will not be boiling, and this state of affairs may prove disastrous to the pudding. ...