1906 #18 Pillowslip with Tatting Trim – Taie d’Oreiller Avec Garniture en Frivolite A pillowslip is not difficult to make; but it still is necessary to know how to handle it. One needs first a rectangle of linen, or cotton, having a little more than double in length that in width. To know the exact dimensions, one needs first to have those of the pillow for which you intend the slip. A pillow is generally square, that-is-to-say that its four sides are of equal length. Only, since the pillow must be covered by the slip on its two faces, one will need a piece having twice in length what it has in width, plus a few centimeters for the two hems of the opening, that which carries the buttons and that where one makes the buttonholes. By looking at figure 1 which represents the piece of fabric, you will note that it is composed of a rectangle having in length twice its width. For the bed of Bleuette, I think that we can plan on a square of 12cm on each side. Therefore, let us have a piece of shirting having 14cm in width (because of the returns of the seams) and 28cm in length (because of the hems). We will begin by folding up, at each end, two centimeters and make two neat hems. Afterwards, we will make on one side the buttonholes; on the other, we will sew the buttons well in regard to the buttonholes; then, we will button the slip, as if it were finished. At this moment, it will have the look of these hand towels that one puts in a circle, or of a small petticoat. Now folding it by the marking, at the top and at the bottom, with the fingernail at the fold of the fabric, so that the closure is placed as we see it in drawing number 2. Once the folds are marked, let us turn over the slip to the wrong side by folding it at the same places and always leaving it buttoned and sew the two sides. This work finished, we will unbutton and turn over the slip by its opening. We can trim it with the pretty tatting lace which we here give you the drawing. The work is done with two shuttles and with Irish thread or cordonnet a’ crochet more or less fine, according to the use for which this lace is intended. Begin with the center ring and work with the two shuttles, make the first 8 picots inserted with a knot. Surround it with 8 rings having each 5 knots, 3 picots with 2 knots between; 5 knots. Replace the picot of the middle by passing the thread in a picot of the center ring and those of the sides by passing it in the corresponding preceding ring. This row of rings is made with 2 shuttles; when each ring is closed, take the second shuttle

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while turning over the work and make a loop of 2 knots, 5 picots, 2 knots; turn over the work to make the following ring. The following row is made with the second shuttle, by loops of 5 knots, 1 picots, 2 times; 5 knots. Take again the first shuttle to make the small ring of 4 knots; pass the thread in the third ring of a loop of the preceding row; 2 knots, 1 picot, 4 knots; take the second shuttle and make 3 knots, 5 picots, 3 knots; then, with the first shuttle, make again a second ring like the preceding to which it is attached as with the loop of the second star. Continue all the work in the same way. A row of chain stitches in crochet joins together the motifs and forms the base. Translation copyright 2010 Deirdre Gawne. Not for sale. www.dressingbleuette.com

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