CHAPTER XXXI

MUFFS AND CAPS AND PRETTIEST TRAPS

“THIS letter says,” explained Mary Frances, “this letter says, oh, Thimble Friends, that my mother and father are coming home in two weeks,―and Billy, too. I must hurry to finish my lessons. Oh, dear, dear! Why, what’s the matter, Scissors Shears―and Tommy Pin Cushion―and Emery Bag?”

“It means good-bye!” sobbed Scissors Shears.

“It means good-bye!” sobbed Tommy Pin Cushion.

“It means good-bye!” whimpered Emery Bag.

“It means ‛au revoir,’ but not good-bye,” sang Sewing Bird.

“Oh, it do, do it?” said Scissors Shears, looking sharply at Sewing Bird.

“Does it, Magic and Mystery?” asked Mary Frances.

“It doesn’t mean good-bye,” answered Fairy Lady. “But I can’t explain it until some time later.”

“My, I’m relieved!” said Mary Frances. “So―what is to-day’s lesson, dear Fairy Lady?”

“For Mary Marie more lovely things The Fairy Lady to you brings,― A little muff, and tippet of fur, A sweet little summer cap for her, A dainty little cross-stitch bag― But I must stop for fear I’ll brag,”

sang Fairy Lady. Then stooping, she drew these patterns from under the rocking chair cushion:

PATTERN 24.―DOLL’S MUFF AND TIPPET

See Insert VIII

Directions for making Doll’s Fur Muff and Tippet.

1. Cut tippet from heavy flannelette―arrow on lengthwise of goods.

2. Mark with ink to imitate Ermine. Turn in edge one-quarter of an inch. Baste.

3. Cut lining of silk.

4. From sheet-cotton cut a lining one-half of an inch smaller than pattern edges.

5. Baste lining to this. Turn edges of lining over this, and baste.

Sew on hook and eye, at the neck.

6. Baste linings to outside, and “slip stitch” together.

40.―SLIP STITCH

Is like hemming stitch, but the needle is slipped along about one-half of an inch―for each stitch. The needle is put into the material directly below where your thread is last brought out.

7. Cut and make muff in same way as tippet. Then, join the ends of the outside in a plain seam. Open the seam, and hem down the lining seam. Turn muff to right side.

Run through the muff a white cord.

PATTERN 25.―DOLL’S SUN BONNET

See Insert IX

Cut out and make in same way as Automobile Bonnet.

Suggestions for material―Figured organdy, with lawn brim; or, brim of white pique.

If pique is used for brim do not make brim double, but blanket-stitch the outer edge, and bind the seam where attached to bonnet.

To Bind a Seam.―Cut a narrow bias strip of goods. Baste it even with the seam on the wrong side. Stitch in place. Turn it over the seam. Turn in the raw edge. Baste. Hem down. This may be done with tape, which will not need edges turned in.

PATTERN 26.―DOLL’S WORK BAG

Use checked silk-gingham.

Cut same as Doll’s Laundry Bag. (Pattern I.)

On the ends of the bag, work in cross-stitch, the “bunny” design given on this page.

Make bag in same way as Doll’s Laundry Bag.

“In the morning, before ’twas light, Two little bunnies began to fight; They fit all day and they fit all night: That made each such a mad little bun? Because both were in cross-stitch done,”

sang Scissors Shears.

“I’ll excuse you for interrupting,” said Fairy Lady, “but when Mary Marie gets all these things,

“Oh! won’t she be grand! Won’t she be grand! There’s not a lady In the land Who can with her compare.”

Then Scissors Shears interrupted again,

“Alas! Alack! If on my back I wore such lovely, lovely clothes I’d never freeze my little toes, Nor wiggle up my little nose.”

“Oh,” laughed Tommy Pin Cushion,

“If I could wear such lovely garb, I then would feel no deadly barb Of arrows aiméd at my heart. That’s a grand rhyme! Am I that smart?”

Then Sewing Bird,

“Enough of this fun For to-day. Away, you rascals― Run away!

“but,

“Mary Frances, if you please, Take the patterns, and make these Pretty things―a lot of fun! Let me see them when they’re done.”