Bulgarian Centerpiece Design No. 55.
The Bulgarian embroidery as we know it on the brown linen squares is valuable chiefly for its durability and pleasing coloring. These squares embroidered in the bright cottons make beautiful cushions and their use with Turkish rugs and hangings is very appropriate. The stitching is effective rather than accurate. The figures of the characteristic designs are crude, but they are full of suggestions and it is possible in carrying out these to obtain most graceful and dainty drawings. When they are adapted to fine white linens and embroidered in silks the result is at once orientally rich and sufficiently dainty for table use.
Heavy colorings are more and more to be urged for centerpieces and doilies which are to be placed under gas light. The color combinations for this set may seem at first startling, but when the shades are properly distributed the result is rich and harmonious.
Bulgarian Doily No. 55 A.
Border.—Buttonhole the scalloped edge in blue and gold brown Corticelli Etching Silk, using shades 626 and 645 alternately for each scallop. One connecting scallop should be blue and the next one yellow. The inner edge of scallops should be outlined in Black Etching Silk, 612, also the straight lines enclosing the scroll and the bars of the doilies. The same Blue, 626, in Corticelli Filo Silk with Brown, 526, may be used for the scroll. Keep the blue on one edge and the brown on the other. Embroider in the "overlap" long and short stitch. Work the little trefoils within the scallop in satin stitch with Pink, 128, 130, and cross-bar them alternately with the scallop colors. See Colored Plate VII.
Bulgarian Doily No. 55 B.
Flower and Leaf Forms.—These should carry the colors of the edge with a few in addition. Use in the leaf forms, in combination with Brown, 526, 527, and 528, the Greens 123, 125, and 126. In the flower forms use beside the blue and yellow, Pink, 128 and 130, and Red, 542 and 544. The leaf forms should be embroidered in long and short stitch. The flower forms may be made altogether or nearly solid or filled with feather stitch or satin stitch diapered. The satin stitch may be done in Filo Silk cross-barred with the Etching Silk. Distribute the colors in masses, that is, confine certain colors to certain forms, combine the colors rather than mix them. The effect of cross-bar diapering in the flower forms of these figures is very pretty and the work is firm as well.