ke very decorative the various
forms they fill, in such things as muslin window blinds, curtains, fire
screens, whether hand screens or the larger type. For articles of this
kind the patterns should be rather more solid and less lined in
character; fig. 113, taken from a window blind exhibited in the Victoria
and Albert Museum, exemplifies what is meant; most of the patterns
illustrated in fig. 100 could be treated in a more solid manner if
necessary, and would look equally well that way. When working upon
transparent grounds special care must be taken with the reverse side as
well as with the surface, for the work to be practically alike upon both
sides; there must be no threads running from one form to another nor any
visible fastening off of ends.

[Illustration: Fig. 113.]

DARNED NETTING

[Illustration: Fig. 114.]

Darned netting, or _lacis_, as it is sometimes called, might almost come
under the heading of either lace or embroidery. It is used effectively
with other kinds of white linen work, bands or squares of it being let
into the linen; the contrast of the solid with the more open work gives
a pretty effect. Fig. 114 is an example of this work. The darning is
done on a plain netted ground which can be prepared by the worker if
acquainted with netting, if not, the squares can be obtained ready for
working upon. The pattern must be designed upon squared paper as for
cross stitch work, then it is simply a question of following out the
pattern upon the square net ground. Every square of the patterned part
must be crossed in each direction by two lines of darning, which should
about fill it up. The various lines are run in and out as continuously
as possible, so as to avoid unnecessary fastening off or passing from
one part to another. When a fresh thread is required, join it with a
knot to the end of the last one (see figs. 165 and 166), and darn the
ends in neatly with the other threads. These knots are often used in
embroidery, for they are both strong and small. Detached stitches and
parts must be worked by themselves; the thread should not be carried
from one to the other. The work must be done in a frame and carried out
with a blunt-pointed needle. The same thread is used for the netted
ground and for the darned pattern. A method of work that the French call
_dessein reserve_ is, in result, rather similar to this, but it is
worked in just the reverse way. The pattern, whatever it may be, is
left in the