Method:—Work from right to left, beginning at the right corner; pass the needle over and under a cluster of four threads; draw it out at the place inserted; pass it over the edge of the rolled hem and bring it out on the left of the cluster, ready to take the next stitch, over and under the second group of four strands.
Fig. 18.
Roumanian Stitch (Fig. 18).—Cretan, oriental, or Roumanian are the various names applied to this well-known stitch. It is frequently to be met with in the early English embroideries, particularly those of the seventeenth century. It is one of those adaptable stitches which are so helpful for the decoration of borders, fillings, leaves, flowers; it has therefore always been much used by embroiderers.
To work Fig. 18.—This figure hardly needs description, being merely a long stitch tacked down. Begin on the left of the space to be filled; insert the needle on the right edge and bring it up in the centre; take a small stitch over the stretched thread to fix it down and bring the needle out at the left edge again, just below the first stitch. If the thread is stretched loosely across as in the V-shaped portion of the braid collar, Plate IX., a broad and effective means of filling narrow spaces or tacking a braid in position can be obtained with economy of time and material.
Fig. 19.
To work Fern or Fish-bone Stitch (Fig. 19).—This stitch, somewhat similar in form, also makes a good border line or even a filling, if worked in rows, see [Fig. D], [Plate XI]., where a centre line of material gives the rib. In Fig. 19 the stitches meet in the centre and have a definite central rib. A central line should be marked on the material before starting to work it. Bring the thread out at the left; take a slanting stitch towards the centre and insert the needle just beyond the line; bring it out at the opposite edge; take another slanting stitch and insert just beyond the line again. This slight overlapping of the stitches in the middle gives the solid effect to the stitch.
Chequered Fern Stitch.—A pleasing variation may be introduced into a quiet border by working this stitch in two colours; two or three stitches worked in each colour will give a chequered effect, and help to relieve monotony if necessary. Work with two threads, bringing each to the surface as required. This stitch makes a good filling for leaves, the mid line being suggestive of the mid-rib.
