155. To Brush Fringe of a Doilie.—Do not use a comb for the fringe of doilies as it pulls out the fringe, but brush it with a nail brush.
156. Wash Suits.—Large buttons should be removed from wash suits before they are sent to the laundry.
[MISCELLANEOUS RECIPES 873]
157. Sewing Machine Conveniences.—Always leave a piece of cloth under the presser foot of the sewing machine. This will save wear on the machine. Also it will absorb any drop of oil which might gather and spoil the first piece of fabric stitched, and will keep the needle from becoming blunted.
158. To Make a Ruffle Easily.—To make a ruffle easily, just above depth of the ruffle make a quarter inch tuck. Insert edge of ruffle under tuck, flatten down tuck over the ruffle edge and stitch on edge of tuck. If the ruffle is desired on very bottom of garment, make a quarter of an inch of tuck, leaving about half of an inch of goods underneath. Baste and stitch wrong side of ruffle to wrong side of half-inch piece, about quarter of an inch from edge. Turn back, making edge come under tuck. Flatten tuck and stitch on the edge. This will save all the trouble of bias bands, so dreaded by the dress-maker.
159. Greasing Cake Tins.—In making a cake, grease the tin with sweet lard rather than butter and sift a little dry flour over it.
160. Making Children's Petticoats.—When making children's petticoats gather the skirt to waistband before hemming the backs and then turn in with the hem, and when band gets too small and narrow across the back, all you have to do is rip out the hem and face back, and the gathers are already there properly placed; and no ripping skirt from band to adjust fullness is necessary.
161. After Cake is Removed from Oven.—A cake which has been removed from the oven should be placed on a wire stand on the stove and the steam allowed to thoroughly escape from it so as to obviate any chances of it becoming heavy.
162. When the Top Cannot be Removed from Fruit Cans.—When the top cannot be removed from a fruit can, if the lid is carefully pried at one point, so the gum can be caught, the rubber can easily be removed. It is not difficult to pull the band from beneath the metal cap.
163. Darning.—When darning must be done in the evening it is more easily done if a light colored darning ball be used.