The pattern is then run and "stuffed" with heavy working-cotton, and
the letter embroidered in finer cotton. Another nice gift is a long
fringed towel, with three very large letters in white, or blue, or
crimson, worked half-way between the middle and the side edge. Folded
over lengthwise, it is a convenient thing to lay on a bureau-top
or the front of a sideboard, and the large colored letters make it
ornamental as well. Patterns of initials can be bought in any fancy
shop. If desired, they can be bought already worked, requiring only to
be transferred to the napkin.


NAPKIN-BANDS.

Any of you who have mastered cross-stitch, and learned to follow a
pattern, will find these bands easy enough to make. Their use is to
fasten a napkin round a child's neck at dinner, and take the place of
that disobliging "pin," which is never at hand when wanted. You must
cut a strip of Java canvas, two inches wide by a foot long; overcast
the edges, and work on it some easy little vine in worsted, or a
Grecian pattern, or, if you like, a short motto, such as "More haste,
worse speed." Line the strip with silk, turn in the edges, overhand
them, and finish the ends with two of those gilt clasps which are used
to loop up ladies' dresses.


A RUSTIC VASE.

[Illustration]

It is very easy to get the material out of which this vase is made.