1918 #22a Pen Wiper -- Essuie-Plume

1918 #22a Pen Wiper -- Essuie-Plume
From Le Semaine de Suzette column “The Fairy Ten Fingers”
When One Writes to Papa
It is appropriate “to mobilize” one’s correspondence. Here is a pen wiper which will
recall the absent dear.
This pen wiper is composed of two parts: the rondelles [discs], which serve to wipe
the pen, and the kepi [cap].
The rondelles. – One needs at least four of them: two out of sky blue or khaki cloth,
for the top, the other for the bottom and two others of a diameter a little less than the first
in flannel or in dark fustian. It is between these two that the pen will be wiped, so that
the disc of the top will remain always clean.
These four rondelles are held together by a cross stitch [in the center] which the kepi
will come to conceal. They are bordered simply by a saw toothed cutting.
The kepi. – Four patterns are needed: the fond, the calotte, the passé and the visiere.
These patterns are given to you here in the size of execution, seams included. You
thus do not have more than to trace and to cut out the patterns, then to place these on the
cloth while observing that they should be placed, compared to the straight threads of the
fabric, as they are on the gray background compared to the lines of framework of the
drawing.
The calotte is closed first in a circle by the small seam A C. Then one sews it to the
fond, by making connect its point A (seam) to the point A of the fond and the point B to
the point B.
The passé is a band on the straight thread which is closed in a circle by the seam D,
then is sewn to the calotte by one of its edges. One then folds it up by the middle to turn
down to the wrong side.
The visiere is placed in front while making connect its point c with the point c of the
passé.
All the parts of the kepi are lined with tailor’s linen [or suit linen]. However, if the
cloth used is very thick, one may dispense with the lining.
Translation copyright 2011 Deirdre Gawne. Not for sale. www.dressingbleuette.com