Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 202, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 August 1916 — IS HANDY WORKBAG [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

IS HANDY WORKBAG

The most useful workbag for the housewife Is that attached to a screen shape that has a handle running along the top of it These articles made up cost a good deal of money, but one can easily be made at home. If there should be an old one-piece fire screen at hand like that in the illustration, there is no difficulty whatever, and even if there Is not, one can often be picked up for a few coppers at a second-hand store. Just a little paint or enamel will make it like new again and excellent for this purpose. If there is a panel in the screen, just take it out neatly, as only the framework is required. If the wood needs renovating, do it before making the bag; stains and varnish can be bought combined and they are quite cheap. Simply brush on the frame and leave to dry. The size of bag will depend upon the size of the frame. It is a good idea to make It from some material that

has been left over from covering the chairs, etc., then the workbag screen will not look out of place in any room, even when it is not in use. The bag is just made from two places of material seamed together to about six inches from the top; make a heading along the top two sides of the bag, and run a piece of elastic through. < ’ s ‘‘ Now secure the back of the workbag to the top bar of the screen; this can be done by using brass-headed drawing pins, they are quite secure and ornamental. Then the front side of the bag is left free and open; the elastic prevents it gaping open ns it might do otherwise, and yet it can easily be widened by pulling it a little. Where there is a lot of mending to be done, these bags are splendid; the busy mother can just grasp hold of the screen handle and take her work with her wherever she goes—upstairs, in the garden, in the kitchen, etc. A saving In time is also effected, and thetooms are kept free from the litter of stockings, woollens, etc., such as is bound to happen if there is not a roomy portable workbag.

Handy Workbag.