[Editor: This article was included in “A Woman’s Column” (edited by Mary Gilmore), published in The Worker (Sydney, NSW), 2 January 1908.]
With needle and thread.
When a good linen tablecloth meets with an accident that leaves either an ugly stain or a hole, the prettiest and most satisfactory way of mending it is not to mend it at all, but to make a pencil ring round the place (a tin lid will do to mark by), and, before cutting out the spot, buttonhole all round. When buttonholed put the part over a tin lid, tying down tightly, or over an embroidery hood; lay down stitches from all points at equal distances, and crossing in the centre; then darn on these either a trefoil, butterfly, star, Maltese cross, or any other figure you like. Finish off neatly, remove from the holder, and cut away, neatly, the objectionable spot or tear. This kind of mending is alike on both sides, and is an ornament rather than a disfigurement.
If the damaged part is too large for such treatment, cut a circular patch to more than fit, fell it neatly into place, and in satin, or other reversible stitch, work a spray all round the join. It will save the best cloth and repay all trouble if worked in linen — white, of course.
A simple form of transfer for bush women (who cannot buy cheap things and pretty, like women in town), is a pattern already worked in outline stitch. Say the design is on a tray-cloth. Take the new material and lay it on a damp cloth on the ironing sheet; over this place the already worked piece; press well with a good iron. The pattern will be outlined by indentation on the under one. With a pencil run all round the lines, and work at your leisure, using any stitch, or filling, you think suitable. Embossed Christmas cards will often supply initials or small patterns. Lay the muslin or linen over them, and go round the edge of the raised outline with a pencil.
Source:
The Worker (Sydney, NSW), 2 January 1908, p. 15
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