An embroidery book

by Anne Knox Arthur

Fig. 20.

Loop-stitch Border (Fig. 20).—This border is of the familiar loop or petal stitch. It has been already described (Figs. 3A and 3B). It makes a very pretty border between broad bars of needle-weaving. The method of working is quite the same, the only difference being in the length of the tying stitch, which in this border forms the stem, while in the flowers it ties the edges of the petals; the loops are thus reversed in the working. The border may easily be followed from Fig. 20. Plate VIII. shows this stitch applied to the edges of the squares at the corners, where it serves to accentuate them as well as to soften their outline.

Table Mat of White Linen.—Plate VII. gives a table mat embroidered in blue; it is the central mat of an afternoon tea set. The design is of a very simple nature, composed by the loops and curves of the French tape. The main curves are formed of four short lengths which meet at the ends and sides. Each piece of tape takes a curve at the centre and begins and ends with a spiral; the outer sides can be put in with one length of braid—eight short pieces will do equally well; little remainders may be economically disposed of in this way. The inner parts of the curves give the opportunity for openwork detail which enriches, while it lightens the background. The design should be drawn out on paper. All lines which represent the braid must be parallel and spaced as nearly as possible to correspond to the width of it; it is important to remember that braid spreads when curving and therefore the centres of loops or circles become smaller when placed on the material; this must be allowed for in the drawing out of the design. Care and accuracy are necessary both in forming the curves and in tacking on the braid; the beauty of the work would be marred by uncertain lines and unequal curves.

PLATE VII.

A TABLE CENTRE IN WHITE AND BLUE

Plate VII. has not much variety of stitch; the relief given by the blue stitches prevents any feeling of monotony.

Method:—Tack on the braid round the outer edges; overseam the inner edges of the parts which take the curves; prepare for the more open spaces by snipping the linen, the way of the warp and the weft, quite close to the braid; then turn the edges in under the braid and button-hole with blue thread, not too closely, the needle should enter easily into the head of the stitches for the making of the lace stitch—“Point de Réprise.” These openings may be backed by small pieces of toile cirée; a little medallion of button-holed linen should be placed in the centre and tacked firmly in place. The connecting threads for the weaving of the little bars or bridges are laid in two or four strands, according to the fineness of the thread. Begin at the outer edge; carry the thread to the inner medallion, and slip the needle, eye first, through a loop of button-hole stitch; overcast the next one, and carry the thread from there back to the outer edge; then weave over and under these two strands till the centre is reached. Oversew one or two button-hole loops and lay the threads for the next bridge; this, when woven, will finish at the outer edge again. Oversew the stitches until the position for the next bar is reached, and continue till the circle is filled in. The corners are worked similarly with a few added bridges here and there to fill in spaces, which would otherwise be rather empty. These oval openings and ends might be worked in what is known as Richelieu work, instead of in the manner described. It is rather a quicker method, but not quite so firm, nor are the bars so flat.

Method:—Button-hole the inner edge of the space, also round the edge of the little inside medallion; then lay three strands of thread as the foundation of the bridges (see [Fig. 24]); button-hole these to the edge and oversew the button-hole stitches of the outer edge until the thread is in position for the next strap.

When the work is finished, the linen under the bars is carefully cut away with a very sharp pair of embroidery scissors.