INSTRUCTIONS IN THE PREPARATION OF HOUSE-LINEN.
641. Bedroom Linen.—This includes quilts, blankets, sheets, pillow-covers, towels, table-covers and pincushion-covers.
642. Quilts.—These are of various sizes and qualities, in accordance with the purposes to which they are applied. They are generally made of the outside material and the lining—wadding or flannel being laid between—and stitched in diamonds or other devices. The stitches must pass through the whole, and the edges of the quilt are to be secured by a braiding or binding proper for the purpose. They are best done in a frame.
643. Blankets.—These are generally bought, ready-prepared for use. It is sometimes necessary to work over the edges at the end, which should be done with scarlet worsted, in a very wide kind of button-hole stitch.
644. Sheets.—These are made of fine linen, coarse linen, and cotton-sheeting. Linen sheets are best for summer, and many prefer them at all seasons. If the sheeting is not sufficiently wide for the bed, two lengths must be sewed together. The seam up the middle must be sewed as neatly as possible, and the ends may be either hemmed or seamed: the latter is the preferable method. Sheets and all bedroom linen should be marked and numbered; to add the date of the year is also an advantage.