Show WOMANS WOMAN'S WORLD Household Linens Should Be Selected for Durability By Ertta Haley S there a greater homemaking I IS thrill than opening the door linen closet of a well appointed Most women will agree there isn't and this holds true even though women do not spend their time from doll to marriage days spinning spinning spin spin- ning and weaving linens for or their dowry Linens are not always inthe In Inthe Inthe the pure sense of the word hat it t we have become accustomed to designate designate designate nate them as such sueh as long as they are woven good for bedroom bath dining room or kitchen They may be linen but they may be made of cotton rayon or even the I synthetics like nylon o m plastics I INo No wise homemaker vill let her linen supply get too low for tor com com- fort tort She should take stock at regular times and replenish the closet when she can get the types quality and quantity at a reasonably reasonably reasonably reason reason- ably fair price The best rule to follow is to get the best quality one can afford Check for wearing qualities and also choose the most suitable linens linens lin Un- ens for tor your purposes You may find it economical to have several different qualities of linens on hand such as Inexpensive inexpensive sive utility towels for or trips and school a nicer quality for family use and some very luxurious sets when you want to put on your best airs Quantity depends a great deal dealon on personal considerations However However However How How- ever as a guide for a family of tour four with laundry done once a week you'll need these in towels 2 dozen each of bath towels wash washcloths washcloths washcloths cloths and hand towels 1 dozen guest towels and 2 or 3 2 bath mats Ji J j 4 J I 1 Judge Judg linens carefully A minimum requirement ment in bed linen inen is that each bed h have ve four sheets and more Is better Three or four cases per pillow Is min min- mum Replace a pair of sheets a year for each bed Look for Absorbency Durability in Towels When you check absorbency in bath jath towels look carefully at the loops oops They are on both sides of oftie the tie towel or in ribs or patterns They should be close and thickly packed The closer the loops the themore themore I Imore more absorbent the towel owel and the sooner it dries out after using I Long loops make the towels soft as well as more absorbent I If you like towels for friction rub-downs rub I choose the shorter loop and tight weave so that you get the harsh I feel Check durability by looking at atthe atthe the of the towel This is the towels towel's backbone that will bear the strain to which it Is put The back side should be firm close and tight which shows that the tle loops are held securely Hold the towel up to the light I If it does not show light coming through even in pinpoints the quality quality quality ity Is poor ave can also be checked in the plain portion near the hem or border where there are no loops Feel towels in the hands to compare compare com corn pare grades and weights Its It's easy to tell the difference between sturdy towels and light se rC ones Hems should be with small close uniform stitches They should also be backstitched or turned and stitched back across the hem The hems should be turned up so they wont won't ravel Selvages should be firm and andi 7 2 k if i you want to 10 be proud of 0 them closely woven about inch wide and strong enough to withstand l. l the rubbing that so often causes the towel to fray tray As long as it is well made any type of selvage woven or hemmed type is satisfactory Heres Here's how Dow to Judge Good Bed Linens Though you may riot not read labels labelson on very many things you buy you should do it as an absolute necessity In buying bed linens They give you real Information as asto asto asto to what kind of material is used as well as a clue to its wearing qualities Percale is used in fine quality sheets It has a smooth feeling its it's firm but not bulky Woven of fine yarn it has a 1 high thread count Usually percale sheeting comes in two types utility or carded or combed yarns with a thread count of which means the number of threads per square Inch Fine percale is made e of combed yarns with a count of or more I Muslin is used fo for utility Jeet- Jeet Ing It is woven of heavy carded yarn with a thread count of or Lengthwise warp threads should equal the crosswise woof threads In number quality and size of yarn for best waring w-aring quality as this means the material Is well balanced Judge Workmanship On Bed Linens Check the hems on n sheets just justas as you do on towels These should follow the direction of a single silling slung thread at the fold lold or at the theline theline theline line of stitching Stitching should be neat and even about 14 stitches to the inch Ends of hems should be fastened securely and selvage must be firm neat and strong Best selvages are used on best sheets and md these have extra yarn to give extra strength Pure finish on a sheet means a minimum of sizing n a special kind of starch that's added to the warp yarns in all sheets to protect the thread while its it's being loomed If too much sizing Is used the result is a sleazy sheet that shows up when laundered When Then you see a no uno weighting label or such information about a sheet it means that no heavy materials such as china clay have been used in the sizing Tensile strength then Is the Index of the wearing qualities of or sheets or pillowcases Remember that the torn size Is the size before hemming To get the correct size for the bed bcd deduct deduct deduct de de- de- de duct 5 inches for making the hem and another 5 Inches for shrink shrink- age Allow at least 6 Inches for tucking in at the sides for or both width and length Give Consideration To Pillow Covers Pillow cases are made of the same material as heets so the same considerations and standards apply to selecting them as do for forthe forthe forthe the sheets For rort corr-rort and appearance ap have a case that fits the pillow nicely but one which is not too roomy or the pillow will slip continually Cases will wear much better if Jf you get them six to ten longer than the pillow and two to I three inches wider |