Materials

White, Figured or Plain Colored Lawn (Chap. I, Par. 23) or

Dimity (Chap. I, Par. 15).

1/2 yd. lawn or dimity at least 18" wide.

1 1/2 yds. lace about 5/8" wide.

White cardboard, 7 1/2"x 9 1/2"

White thread No. 70.

Needle No. 8.

Introductory Statement

One of the first things that a girl should learn to do about the house is to care for and keep her own room neat and attractive in appearance. The dresser drawer, with its ribbons, handkerchiefs, and the many little trifles that are necessary in a girl's toilet, is very difficult to keep in order. If the different articles are kept in boxes or cases it is very much easier to keep them from getting mixed; that is, if all the handkerchiefs are kept in a handkerchief case, the gloves in a glove box, the hair ribbons or neck ties in another box, they can easily be found when desired.

The handkerchief case suggested in this lesson provides an attractive place to keep the handkerchiefs. It may be kept either in the drawer or on top of the dresser. If in the latter place, the material of which it is made should harmonize with the colors in the room; that is, if the paper and the window drapes have any one color predominating in them, select material for the handkerchief case which will not be out of harmony with that color.

References:

Manufacture of Thread, How We Are Clothed, Chamberlain.

Lace, Goldenberg (Brentano 1904).

Lace, Its Origin and History, S. L. Goldenberg (N. Y. 1904).

Suggestions For Optional Modification

Handkerchief Case

No. 1. This handkerchief case is made of linen crash 7 1/2 x 13 1/2" (unfolded). The design is worked with the outline etching and satin stitches. Lace is sewed around the top fold. It is tied with ribbon.

Handkerchief Case

No. 2. This handkerchief case is made of linen crash 13"xl8" (unfolded). The long edges are folded to the center and a piece of cardboard slipped under each pocket formed. Lace is sewed on all the way round, and it is fastened together with ribbon ties.

Handkerchief Case

No. 3. This handkerchief case is made of line crash, with end flaps. One piece is ll"x21" doubled crosswise. The other piece is 8"xl9" folded lengthwise. The 4"xl9" piece (after it is doubled and stitched) is placed on the larger piece about 2 1/2" from one edge and stitched on three edges.

Napkin Case

No. 4. This napkin case is made of two pieces of cretonne, each 15"x22", folded lengthwise. Each piece is stitched separately, then the two are made to form a cross and stitched together.

Working Directions For Handkerchief Case

Preparing Material

Straighten one short edge of the material by drawing a thread and cutting on the line (Chap. II, Par. 102). Straighten one long edge of the material in like manner. On the short edge measure out 16" (the length of the handkerchief case doubled). Draw a thread lengthwise and cut on the line. Down the long edge measure out 18" (the width of the handkerchief case before it is folded); draw a thread crosswise and cut on the line.

Preparing Material For Pockets

This handkerchief case is to be made double, and after the material has been properly sewed together it is to be folded to form pockets, then trimmed with lace, as shown in the illustration. As the handkerchief case is to be made of a double thickness of the material, the first step is to fold the material together lengthwise with the right side turned in and the long edges and the ends made exactly even. Pin in several places along the open edges to hold them in position until they have been basted together. Baste the two ends together with uneven basting (Chap. II, Par. 104), using 1/4" seam.

A cardboard 71/2"x91/2" is to be placed between the double thickness of material under the pockets. A space 9 1/2" long must therefore be left in the center of the long edge. To do this, baste 4 1/2" towards the center from each corner, leaving a space of 9 1/2" unbasted. Fasten the pieces together permanently by sewing along the line of the basting with the combination stitch (Chap. II, Par. 108). NOTE: The handkerchief case is sewed together wrong side out so the seams will be inside when the case is turned. Be careful to fasten the threads firmly at each side of the opening where the cardboard is to be slipped in, as there will be considerable strain there. The edges of the opening are to be finished with a hem turned toward the wrong side of the material. Baste with even basting (Chap. II, Par. 103), using a narrow first turning, and hem neatly (Chap. II, Par. 114). Turn right side out before the ends are folded over to form the pockets; the ends are to be finished with lace. Lay the right side of the lace on the under side of the handkerchief case on one end and overhand the two together along the edge (Chap. II, Par. 112). Sew the lace on the other end in the same manner.

To Form The Pockets

The pockets are to be formed by folding the lace-trimmed ends of the handkerchief case to the center. To do this, first, find the center by folding the two ends of the case together and creasing sharply with the thumb nail on the fold; then open and lay the edges of the lace even with this crease so they will just meet in the center. Crease the fold made at each end. Baste along the edges of the pockets fastening them to the under side of the handerchief case with uneven basting or tacking (Chap. II, Par. 104 or 105).

To Trim With Lace

Overhand the lace (Chap. II, Par. 112) entirely around the outside edges of the handkerchief case gathering it neatly at the corners. NOTE: Be sure to catch both thicknesses of the material along the sides of the pockets so as to hold them in place, but where the open ing is left for the cardboard the overhanding stitches should catch only the top layer of material. Remove the bastings.

To Finish The Bottom

Cut a piece of white cardboard 7 1/2" x 9 1/2". Slip it into the opening left for it in the handkerchief case.

Another Method Of Forming The Pockets

The pockets may be left loose and held in place by a ribbon fastened in the center of the under side of the case. To do this, sew the lace all the way around the outside edges of the case before folding the pockets, being careful to sew it to the upper edge only of the space which is left open for the cardboard.