CATCH OR HERRINGBONE-STITCH

Catch-stitch is a kind of cross-stitch, used to secure the edges of flannel.

Materials— A long-eyed needle, a knot of split zephyr, and a piece of canvas.

Catch-stitch—

1. Work from you, holding the canvas over the left forefinger.

2. Insert the needle from underneath, at the lower left-hand corner.

3. From the place where the zephyr comes out, count to the right four threads, then forward four threads; insert the needle, and pointing it towards you take up two threads.

4. From the place where the zephyr comes out, count to the left four threads, then forward four threads, and take up two threads as before.

5. Continue in the same manner, making the stitches to the right, then to the left; the zephyr crossing diagonally (Fig. 89).

6. Notice that the little cross at one side, comes between the crosses on the opposite side, and that the needle comes out on a line with its insertion for the previous stitch.

7. Turn the corner, by taking a stitch at the left, insert the needle at the right, and pointing it towards the left, take up two threads (Fig. 90). Turn the canvas, and holding the next side across the left forefinger, continue as before (Fig. 90).

Suggestions— In catch-stitching on flannel, small knots may be made if they can be concealed. When ending, fasten the thread by running it in and out under the last stitch. The thread can be fastened in beginning and finishing, by leaving an end to be sewed over and over with fine cotton on the wrong side.

The raw edge of a hem on woolen material may be fastened by catch-stitches, to avoid the ridge formed by folding the edge. The edges of a seam in flannel may be fastened in several ways; the seam may be folded to one side, and the edges fastened by a row of catch-stitches; the seam may be opened and each edge fastened separately; or, with the seam opened, a row of catch-stitches may be put in the middle.

FEATHER-STITCH

Feather-stitching is used for ornamenting garments, etc.

Materials— A long-eyed needle, a knot of split zephyr, and a piece of canvas.

Feather-stitch—

1. Work towards you, holding the canvas over the left forefinger.

2. Draw the needle through from underneath at the upper left-hand corner (Fig. 91, b).

3. From the place where the zephyr comes out, count two threads to the right, insert the needle, and pointing it towards you take up two threads of the canvas.

4. Draw the needle out over the zephyr, which is held down by the thumb.

5. From the place where the zephyr comes out, count two threads to the right, and take a stitch as before.

6. From the place where the zephyr comes out, count two threads to the left, and take a stitch, being careful to hold the zephyr down with the thumb.

7. From the place where the zephyr comes out, count two threads to the left, and take another stitch.

8. Continue taking the stitches in this way (Fig. 91, b).

Suggestions— For fastening the thread see catch-stitching (page 118). This stitch may be changed into various designs, as in Fig. 91. Whatever the pattern, the stitches should be compact and uniform.

CHAIN-STITCH

Chain-stitching is a method of embroidering, by which the stitches resemble a chain.

Materials— An embroidery needle, embroidery silk, and a strip of cloth.

Chain-stitch—

1. Work towards you, holding the cloth over the left forefinger.

2. Draw the needle through from underneath at the upper end, a short distance from the edge.

3. Holding the thread to the left with the thumb, insert the needle where the thread comes out, and bring it through one-eighth of an inch below, and over the thread to form the loop.

4. Continue in this manner, always inserting the needle inside the loop of the last stitch, and being careful to take the same number of threads on the needle for each stitch.

Suggestion— Chain-stitching is often used for outlining a pattern.

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 717