Venetian Picot.—A more substantial picot is used in Venetian lace and embroidery as follows:—Make a connecting bar by stretching three threads across from one edge of the opening to the other, as in Fig. 26. Button-hole half-way across, then insert a pin as Fig. 57, but pass the thread under the pin and over the bar twice; then begin to button-hole the picot at the point where the pin is inserted and work five or six button-hole stitches till the bar is reached; the point must be closely covered, then continue the button-holing of the bar.
Fig. 58.
Fig. 58, a, b, c, show how a solid little picot may be worked as an edging; it should have some decorative stitch to join up the picots, such as large overcasting, button-hole, chain or couching stitch. It is generally easier to work the picots with the edge held away from the worker. Make a loop as at a; fasten it with a pin; then take the thread to the top of the loop and pass it round as b. Then interlace backwards and forwards, passing the needle under the thread before going over to the opposite side, c. Repeat four or five times until the loop is filled. A twisted thread of a fairly thick make is most suitable for these picots.
Fig. 59.
A Button-hole Edging.—Fig. 59 shows how to work an edging which is particularly suitable for household linen, table mats, towels, etc.; being both strong and durable, it will stand the hard wear which household articles in daily use are subjected to.
Figs. 60 and 61 are very good surface stitches, both of which make bold and most effective headings to a border or band of needle-weaving. Both depend considerably on the care with which the foundation stitches are worked; if these are not equally distributed and the interlacing thread carefully adjusted to form the circles or links of the pattern the decorative value of the line or filling is spoilt.
Fig. 60.