Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 103, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 May 1915 — CAKE COVERS OF LACE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CAKE COVERS OF LACE

JUST NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO PREPARE THEM. -j. Round Promo With a Domo Top la tho Prevailing Shape—Some Dainty Effecta That May Easily Be Becured. While there is no immediate need for cake covers, the present is a good time to prepare them, since one has more leisure now than in warm weather, writes Helen Howe in the Washington Star. Odds and ends of lace for making the covers can be picked up cheaper now than when fly time arrives and the protection becomes necessary. The octagonal has been the popular shape for many seasons, but this year a round frame with a dome top, something like a bird cage, has made its appearance. It is a change from the old shape, but I do not think it is' as pretty. Besides, it reminds one entirely too much of the tarlatan bird cage cover put on to prevent the seeds from dropping through. There is a wide band of lace set around the frame and another wider strip Joined to the top of the first band, wide enough to reach the top of the frame, which, by the way, is best described as being bell-shaped. Then the free edge of the lace is gathered and drawn together very closely under an ornament placed in the center. This can be a ribbon rose, a rosette, artificial fruit, or whatever the sewer pleases. The cover itself is always of white lace and preferably filet, probably for the reason this lace has a loose mesh, which makes the dish of cake very attractive. Oftentimes the design of the lace is outlined with a running stitch of blue embroidery silk. This gives a very dainty effect, but I think if the silk used matched the color of the china it would be prettier. For instance, if the china were white and gold, use gold silk or gold thread on the white lace. If the dishes showed a floral or other design in several colorings, the same effect could be carried out with silk thread to match the china. The octagon-shape cover lends itself better to the colored treatment thaij does the dome-shape, unless one just embroider the band and then, instead of setting on another band of lace, make the top of plain fine white

net In covering the octagon shape the work can be lessened and the effect improved if a lace doily is bought for the top of the cover. The band of lace is first put around the sides and firmly secured to the wires. Then If a tiny hole is made in the center of the doily for the ring to pass through a few stitches will keep the top in place. If all-over lace is used the top is made first and sewed to the wires. Then the band is added.