_Materials_: Corticelli Filo Silk, 6 skeins each 526, 626; 4 skeins
123; 3 skeins 645; 2 skeins each 125, 128, 130, 527; 1 skein each
126, 528, 542, 544. Corticelli Etching Silk, 12 skeins each 626,
645; 4 skeins 612. Dealers can furnish stamped linen of this design
in 22 inch size. They can also furnish stamped linen 7 and 9 inches
square of the set of three doily designs (Nos. 55A, 55B, 55C), to
match this centerpiece. See page 92.
[Illustration: 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.
[Illustration: 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.
[Illustration: BULGARIAN DOILY NO. 55 B.]
[Illustration: BULGARIAN DOILY NO. 55 C.]
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.
Corticelli Filo Silk alone should be used in the figures of the doilies
even for the cross-barring, though the scallops and black lines should
be of the Etching Silk. It is possible to introduce the red into the
doily scallops in the little connecting points and to so combine the
colors as to make all the edges different. Four of each of the doily
designs form the dozen, and these may be still further varied by a
little planning as to color schemes. The centerpiece and doilies may
be embroidered with good effect in simple outline or rows of outline,
known as the "Bulgarian stitch." If desired the entire work on the
centerpiece may be done with Corticelli Etching Silk, and the effect
will be really very beautiful, and novel as well, but the figures of
the doilies are too small for such treatment. (Not Difficult.)
[Illustration: CORTICELLI BULGARIAN DESIGN NO. 55. COLORED
PLATE VII.]
[Illustration: CORTICELLI JAPANESE DESIGN NO. 51. COLORED
PLATE VIII.]
_Japanese Design No. 51._