[EMBROIDERY WITH CHENILLE.]
Chenille was, in days past, a popular material for fancy needlework. It has recently, after a period of disuse, been restored to favour under somewhat different conditions. Modern chenilles are obtainable in many more soft and carefully shaded tints, and though coarse makes are still used, some of the finer qualities are no thicker than a strand of rope silk.
FIG. 1.—PENWIPER.
Chenille can be used as a working thread if passed through the eye of a chenille needle, or it can be caught down in the desired curves by couching it in place with finer silk.
In the little penwiper shown at [Fig. 1] both these methods are employed. The small branching pattern within the scrolls is executed in actual stitchery with chenilles, while for the curves and along the top some of the same materials are sewn down with stitches of silk. As to colouring, the background is green and the chenilles are brown, blue, pink and green in tint; the brown and green details are secured with stitches of bright yellow crewel silk, which give little touches of brightness at intervals. Two hints may be gleaned from this penwiper. Firstly, that for workers with whom felt-work, on account of its easiness of execution, is still popular, chenille has a better appearance than flat silk embroidery; and, secondly, that on such small articles as the one before us scraps of various colours remaining over from larger undertakings can be profitably utilised.
FIG. 2.—HANDKERCHIEF SACHET.