These bags are capital things to save a shawl from the dust of a
journey, and, if of good size, can be made to serve a useful purpose
by packing into them dressing materials, etc., for which there is
not room in your hand-bag. The best material for them is stout brown
Holland. Cut two round end-pieces eight inches in diameter and a piece
half a yard wide by twenty-four inches long. Stitch these together,
leaving the straight seam open nearly all the way across, and bind its
edges and the edges of the end-pieces with worsted braid (maroon
or dark brown), put on with a machine. Close the opening with five
buttons and button-holes. Bind with braid a band of the Holland two
inches wide, and fasten it over the button-holed side, leaving a large
loop in the middle to carry the bag by.
By way of ornament you may embroider three large letters in
single-stitch on the side, using worsted of the color of the braid, or
may put a pattern down either side of the opening and round the ends
in braiding, or a braided medallion with initials in the center.