Fig. 170. Part of a Hedebo collar
Hedebo is worked on a finely woven linen. The design is stamped directly on the material. A thread of D.M.C. No. 25 or spool linen thread outlines the figures. Within the design, the linen is cut one eighth of an inch from the running thread. This eighth-inch extension is then turned under the stitches and basted down. A small piece of dark green oilcloth is then laid under the figure to be worked and basting stitches hold the material and oilcloth together. The oilcloth protects the fingers and it is often used by foreigners in making eyelets. A small piece is used and it is moved as many times as necessary. A large piece is too clumsy to hold. On the extreme double edge of the opening of the design fine buttonholing stitches are taken. The stitches are about one thirty-second of an inch apart.
A section of a design suitable for a collar is shown here and the stitches will now be explained that have been used on it ([Figure 170]).
A bar is formed by laying two or three threads so that they span the opening from side to side. Over these threads fine buttonholing is worked.
The little triangles are worked by making seven or nine stitches into as many of the buttonhole stitches. The second row is worked into the first, one stitch from each end is omitted. Continue in this way to the point ([Figure 171]).
The three large loops that separate the pyramids or triangles from each other in the two outer circles are worked by making two loops that will each take up half the space between the triangles. These loops are whipped two or three times to make them heavier and then they are covered with buttonholing. Work the first and half of the second and then make the loop for the third or last and work it also in buttonholing, then finish the second ([Figure 172]). The centre of the circle is made by connecting the opposite triangles and loops together. Gently distribute the threads from the centre to allow a small opening. Put a thread around this opening and neatly buttonhole the threads.
The middle figure is made by working a row of open buttonholing then running a drawing thread into the loops and buttoning this band with tiny stitches.