Chapter Five
MATERIALS
Silkoline
Plain and figured silkoline should be cut in bias strips one-half inch wide. Stretch and pull through the hands until both edges are raveled. When these strips are woven, the rug or mat will be reversible. Figured silkolines give a pretty mottled effect, especially those in which Turkish colors predominate. Rugs having plain centers and mottled borders are beautiful. A full-sized rug requires nearly two yards of material.
Cheese cloth
Strips of cheese cloth can be prepared in the same way. Cut them three-fourths inch wide on account of the tendency to ravel. Serviceable face and dish cloths can be made of white cheese cloth. Some of the colored cheese cloths make pretty rugs. When a desirable color cannot be found, the white cloth can be dyed at home.
Dress linings
Soft dress linings come in many beautiful colors. Old pieces may be utilized by cleaning and dyeing. The pieces are cut in bias strips, one-half inch in width.
Silk
Pieces of old silk can also be prepared in this way. One can often obtain new pieces at dressmaking establishments.
Candle-wicking
Table mats, wash cloths, and similar articles can be made from candle-wicking. For lamp mats, cushion covers, and other articles the material may be dyed and woven in two colors, or in two tones of one color. A number of squares can be joined to make a hammock pillow. By stringing a close warp with white or colored wicking and weaving over and under one string with the same material, a coarse canvas can be made, upon which the children can cross-stitch a pretty border and center piece, or an all-over pattern by copying the kindergarten designs, or even initials and monograms. Most of the canvas sold at the stores, even the old Java canvas of our childhood days, is too fine for little children to work upon. In canvas made of candle-wicking by the child himself, the squares are large, and to this there is the added pleasure of the child being able to say when the work is finished, "I did it all myself."
Rope silk, or ropetine
Beautiful silk canvas can be made of rope silk and cross-stitched with another color or tone, or with chenille, making a velvet figure. This material is, of course, more expensive. Two colors or two tones may be woven with chenille and silk in a kindergarten design. Beautiful holiday and birthday gifts can be made from these materials, such as mats, cushion covers, and sachet cases. Glove, mouchoir, necktie, fan, and trinket boxes can be made by weaving the top, bottom, and sides in panels. Foundation boxes, which may be purchased for a few cents, are excellent for this purpose, or they can be made very well at home from three-ply cardboard. Make the hinges of ribbon and line the boxes with silk of a corresponding or contrasting color.
Carpet ravelings
Carpet ravelings may be obtained from the carpet stores, or pieces of carpet can be raveled by the children. Let them have the pleasure and benefit which come from sorting the ravelings. It is an excellent lesson in color, besides developing the patience, concentration, discrimination, and judgment so much to be desired in other work. After the wool is sorted—not before, because it is not all fast color—dip in water, wring, and let the children straighten it gently, one piece at a time. This will make it as smooth and soft as new wool. Procure some small boxes—shoe boxes are a good size—place one color in a box with a sample fastened outside at one end, and pile them upon a low shelf or window sill. Train the children to go to the "play store" to match their own wool. If they go quietly, one at a time, no one is disturbed and each child gains in knowledge of color as well as in independence. A little management of this kind helps the teacher as well as the child.
Carpet wools
New wools of various kinds and beautiful colors can be bought in large quantities from dealers in materials for industrial work. In some carpet departments you will find oriental wools which are used to mend rugs, and a small quantity can be bought. Some of the kindergarten supply stores and decoration companies have already advertised a stock of these materials.
Double Germantown wool
Germantown knitting yarn
An ideal material for little folks is double Germantown wool. The soft wool, used for both warp and woof, is excellent for weaving kindergarten designs. This should be done with a close warp, which may be extended each side of the head and foot piece as a fringe. By extending the warp any length desired beyond the head piece, long strips for slumber robes, afghans, and such articles can be woven. The warp may be strung with twine as near the color of the wool as possible, and a plain rug be made, with colored stripes at each end. A very pretty and easy gift for a little child to make is a holder for the teapot, as described on page 92. The Germantown knitting yarn, which is more tightly twisted, makes very pretty rugs and mats. It is sometimes used for Navajo blankets.
Darning cotton
White dolls'-towels, with red or blue stripes, are made of darning cotton. Baste a small piece of canvas at one end and cross-stitch Miss Dolly's initial.
Knitting cotton
Plain white bedspreads, or white combined with a color in a kindergarten design, can be made of knitting cotton which is a little coarser than darning cotton. Knot a fringe on all sides. Lunch cloths and table covers for Miss Dolly can be made in the same way.
Macremé cord
Macremé cord is the best material for hammocks. It comes in many beautiful colors, at a few cents a ball.
Leather strips
To weave a kindergarten design in two colors of leather strips, have the leather cut the desired width, and fasten them to a piece of strong muslin at the top and bottom of the mat or panel. Fit the muslin over the teeth in head and foot pieces by cutting a small opening.
Celluloid strips
Leather strips
Celluloid strips may be treated in the same way. Leather and celluloid strips can be woven free-hand like the paper strips.
Raffia
Many beautiful articles can be made of raffia, which is a palm fibre brought from the island of Madagascar. It can be obtained in the natural color at most of the department stores, the kindergarten supply houses, and the florists. The cost is usually 20 cents or 25 cents per pound, although the florists will sell a few cents' worth. It can be dyed easily, and with little expense, with Diamond or aniline dyes. It should first be washed. Care should be taken, in the selection, to obtain long, smooth pieces which will be at least one-half inch wide when wet, and of an even color. Some of the raffia is musty and badly spotted. It is well to wet all of it first, then straighten and allow it to dry. While weaving, keep the raffia moist by dipping the fingers now and then in a cup of water. Experience has proved this method to be more satisfactory than to allow the raffia to remain in water and become thoroughly soaked, particularly the colored raffia. If one cares to expend money instead of time and trouble, the raffia can be dyed in very beautiful colors at the dye houses.
Shetland wool
Blankets for Miss Dolly can be made of the soft Shetland wool and Germantown zephyr. For bed blankets, cream color, with stripes of two or more colors, are very attractive. Carriage blankets made with white centers and colored borders, or with a tone for the center and a shade for the border, are a great addition to the carriage, as well as a source of comfort to the little occupant. Bind the edges with ribbon and run a narrow one through the beading formed by taking out the extra rods. This ribbon can be run all around the center part by leaving out a few woof threads at the top and bottom.
Knitting silk
By stringing a close warp of knitting silk and extending it the required length, shawl-straps, suspenders, belts, and garters can be woven. The rods should be adjusted for the desired width. Finish at each end with pieces of silk elastic of the same color, and with buckles.
Angora wool
Angora wool makes pretty Tam O'Shanters. Initials can be woven in any article.
Books of patterns
Small books containing cross-stitch designs can be found at the German and French embroidery stores in large cities—sometimes, but rarely, at the art counter in department stores. The "Kindergarten Guides" can be obtained at most public libraries, or a kindergartner friend will be glad to loan one.