Tussore Or Shantung Silk And Good Sateens

may be used very satisfactorily for this class of blind.

PRINTED LINEN-that is, linen with a cream ground, with a coloured conventional floral design arranged at intervals-may be chosen to harmonize very pleasingly with the tone of the room. Printed cotton may likewise be chosen with advantage.

Self-coloured linens of any shade are obtainable, but are not to be recommended for sunny windows.

These blinds are all made with a double heading, forming a tiny upstanding frill; ivory rings are sewn on, and they are either pulled backwards and forwards as required on a brass rod, or their position can be altered by the use of a cord and pulleys.

Small short curtains are now frequently used for the lower part of windows. The most general are the " Brise-Bise," made of linen or silk, with lace insertions, costing from is. to 10s. 6d. each; or the " Bonne Femrae," made of lace or net, and trimmed with a flounce, costing from 8 3/4d. to 3s. 6d. per yard.

Outside Sun Blinds

In selecting material for these it is necessary to choose between durability and an attractive appearance, as the two qualities are not always combined. If durability is desired, a blue-stripe tick must be selected, for such a tick can be made all of flax, and, consequently, it wears and cleans well. If brightness of colour is preferred, the recently introduced green, yellow, etc., material can be had; but it must be borne in mind that, as flax refuses to take these dyes, there is little or none of that material in the highly coloured ticks, which are mostly of cotton, and therefore are not adapted for hard use.

Plain white sailcloth wears well, looks clean and cool, but does not soften the light.

Cleaning Of Blinds

VENETIAN BLINDS-(1) VARNISHED. Undo the ornament at the bottom of each tape ladder of the blind, allowing the cord to unthread; take out every lath, and dust thoroughly, and then wash according to the directions for varnished paint (see Chapter XIV (Wood).).

(2) UNVARNISHED. After thorough dusting, wash according to the directions in Chapter XIV (Wood).

While the laths are down, it is a convenient time to ascertain if the ladder-tapes are in good condition. If worn, they should now be replaced, to avoid trouble afterward. If in good condition, but soiled, they may be steeped in cold water containing a little soda, then boiled. These tapes may be had in either white, buff, or any desired colour, with varying spaces between the rungs of the ladder. It will be found wise to buy the new to correspond with the original. Having nailed this tape firmly to the fixed lath at the top, place the laths in the slots arranged for them. Next thread the cord (preferably a new one) through the hole in every lath, placing it to the right and left hand alternately of the narrow horizontal tapes which connect the two wide tapes forming the ladder. When the cord has been threaded the entire length of the blind, pass it through the small metal ornament, and put a knot to prevent it from slipping back. In heavy blinds a central ladder-tape is often necessary in addition; but frequently two tapes are sufficient.

SLIGHTLY SOILED LINEN OR HOLLAND BLINDS.

These should be dusted thoroughly on both sides, then laid flat on a clean table, then rubbed lightly and evenly all over with stale bread, or with a stiff dough of flour and water.

Other Methods Of Cleaning

1. Apply Monkey Brand soap on a clean cloth and rub well over the blind.

2. Cover the blind with powdered bathbrick, rub it well in with a clean cloth, then shake off, and rub it again.

3. Rub the blind with a clean flannel dipped in powdered cream-coloured starch, including the lace trimming; roll up for 24 hours, then shake well to remove any particles of the starch.

DIRTY LINEN OR HOLLAND BLINDS should be taken off the rollers, dusted thoroughly, washed in warm soap lather, rinsed in warm water, starched in thick hot-water starch, ironed till partly dry, and then calendered or polished on both sides. Care should be taken when ironing not to stretch the blind out of shape, but to keep the hem perfectly straight, in order that, when replaced, it may roll up evenly. (For the recipe for preparing hot-water starch, see Chapter XXVIII (White, Coloured, And Jaeger Flannels).)

SILK-WARP CANTON CASEMENT CLOTH should be washed according to the directions for washing silk in Chapter XXX (Washing White And Coloured Silk).; the gum-water, however, should be omitted, and, as a substitute, a bath in 1 tablespoonful of methylated spirit and 1 pint of cold water should be given, to heighten the gloss.

CHALLI, CASEMENT CLOTH, TAFFETA, MOHAIR, AND REPP are all washed according to the directions given for washing flannel in Chapter XXVII (Laundry Work). After drying, they should be smoothed over with a warm (not hot) iron.

PRINTED COTTON OR CHINTZ should be treated according to the instructions for chintz in Chapter XXX (Washing White And Coloured Silk).

Making

To roll up well, every blind should have a hem 2 1/2 inches wide at each side and across the foot. This hem should be herringboned, the stitches being slightly further apart and shallower than when worked on flannel. Care must be taken to put it perfectly straight on the roller, and a tintack should be placed at each end to keep it in place. It should then be blanket-stitched on, with wide shallow stitches, which may easily be taken out when washing is again necessary,