Enquire Within Upon Everything Part 190

2517. Yellow.

Put a tablespoonful of the best turmeric into a quart of boiling water; when well mixed put in the feathers. More or less of the turmeric will give them different shades, and a very small quant.i.ty of soda will give them an orange hue.

2518. Green.

Mix the indigo liquid with turmeric, and pour boiling water over it; let the feathers simmer in the dye until they have acquired the shade you want them.

2519. Pink.

Three good pink saucers in a quart of boiling water, with a small quant.i.ty of cream of tartar. If a deep colour is required, use four saucers. Let the feathers remain in the dye several hours.

2520. Red.

In a quart of boiling water dissolve a teaspoonful of cream of tartar; put in one tablespoonful of prepared cochineal, and then a few drops of muriate of tin. This dye is expensive, and scarlet flowers are best made with the plumage of the red ibis, which can generally be had of a bird-fancier or bird-stuffer, who will give directions how it should be applied.

[WE SELDOM REPENT OF HAVING EATEN TOO LITTLE.]

2521. Lilac.

About two teaspoonfuls of cudbear into about a quart of boiling water; let it simmer a few minutes before you put in the feathers. A small quant.i.ty of cream of tartar turns the colour from lilac to amethyst.

2522. Black; Crimson.

_See Instructions upon Dyeing, par._ 2682, _et seq_.

2523. Preparation of Feathers for Dyeing.

The feathers must be put into hot water, and allowed to drain before they are put into the dyes. After they are taken out of the dye, rinse them two or three times in clear cold water (except the red, which must only be done once), then lay them on a tray, over which a cloth has been spread, before a good fire; when they begin to dry and unfold, draw each feather gently between your thumb and finger, until it regains its proper shape.

2524. Leaves of the Flowers.

These are made of green feathers, cut like those of the natural flower, and serrated at the edge with a very small pair of scissors.

For the calyx of a moss-rose the down is left on the feather, and is a very good representation of the moss on the natural flower.

2525. Waxen Flowers and Fruit.

There is no art more easily acquired, nor more encouraging in its immediate results, than that of modelling flowers and fruit in wax.

The art, however, is attended by this draw-back--that the materials required are somewhat expensive.

2526. Materials for Wax Flowers.

The appliances required for commencing the making of waxen flowers will cost from 20s. to 30s., and may be obtained at most fancy repositories in large towns. Persons wishing to commence the art would do well to inquire for particulars, and see specimens of materials; because in this, as in every other pursuit, there are novelties and improvements being introduced, which no book can give an idea of.

2527. Petals and Leaves of Wax Flowers.

Petals and leaves of wax flowers are made of sheets of coloured wax, which may be purchased in packets of a.s.sorted colours.

2528. Stems.

The stems are made of wire of suitable thicknesses, covered with silk, and overlaid with wax; and the leaves are frequently made by thin sheets of wax pressed upon leaves of embossed calico. Leaves of various descriptions are to be obtained of the persons who sell the materials for wax flower making.

2529. Models for Wax Flowers.

Ladies will often find among their discarded artificial flowers, leaves and buds that will serve as the base of their wax models.

2530. Natural Models for Wax Flowers.

The best guide to the construction of a flower--far better than printed diagrams or patterns--is to take a flower, say a _tulip_, a _rose_, or a _camellia_. If possible, procure _two_ flowers, nearly alike; and carefully pick one of them to pieces; lay the petals down in the order in which they are taken from the flower, and then cut paper patterns from them, and number them fron the centre of the flower, that you may know their relative positions.

2531. Putting Petals Together.

The perfect flower will guide you in getting the wax petals together, and will enable you to give, not only to each petal but to the _contour_ of the flower, the characteristics which are natural to it.

In most cases, they are merely pressed together and held in their places by the adhesiveness of the wax. From the paper patterns the wax petals or other portions of the flowers may be cut. They should be cut singly, and the scissors should be frequently dipped into water, to prevent the wax adhering to the blades.

2532. Utilisation of Sc.r.a.ps of Wax.

The sc.r.a.ps of wax that fall from the cutting will be found useful for making seed vessels, and other parts of the flowers.

[HE WHO SERVES WELL NEED NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK HIS WAGES.]

2533. Leaves of Flowers.

Where the manufactured foundations cannot be obtained, patterns of them should be cut in paper; the venous appearance may be imparted to the wax by pressing the leaf upon it.

2534. Sprigs of Plants.

In the construction of sprigs, it is most important to be guided by sprigs of the natural plant, as various kinds of plants have many different characteristics in the grouping of their flowers, leaves and branches.