- It remained for some ingenious admirer of the denizens of the deep to invent some plan by which the scales of fishes might be utilized for decorative pur-poses. The scales of any fish will answer, but those of perch are preferred on account of the variation of colors, but usually a variety of scales is needed. After being removed from the fish, the scales must be cleaned, and while moist two holes punched near the roots with a small awl or darning needle, or short incisions may be made on the opposite sides, for fastening them on the design, after which they should be placed between the folds of some paper to dry. Silk or satin will answer for a ground upon which to set the design, but velvet is also appropriate. Dark colors are best. To fasten the scales, use fine silver ware, or light-colored silk will answer. To get a good design, it should first be drawn on paper, and the outlines pricked through with a pin, after which the pattern should be placed on the material, and powdered whiting rubbed through the pin holes. This will give the outline upon the material, but as it will soon brush off, go over it with ordinary water colors. Beads may be used to make the stems of the design, and the flowers and leaves worked with scales.

If several tints are desired, the scales may be varnished with bright colors before they are sewed on.

A Design For Fish Scale Embroidery

Our illustration gives a very pretty design. The ground is of maroon-colored silk. Work the stem in old-gold silk twist. The leaves and roses are made of scales. In making the leaves, the silver wire must be carried across the scales to represent the veins. And to make the roses, sew on the outer circle of scales first, sewing thro the holes; the next circle laps over the stitches, and so with the next, until the center is reached, which may be finished with a few beads, or, if the flower be small, one will answer. The bird is worked as follows: The eyes are each a single black bead the beak, legs, and claws are worked the same as the stems, For the wings, the scales are sewed on with silver wire carried across, the different sizes and colors of scales making up the entire bird. For pointed ends of wings the scales may be clipped to a point with the scissors. A necklace and cross of scales worked on black velvet make a very pretty ornament for an evening toilet.