Fig. 60. The narrow strip to the large strip
Baste the long narrow strip around one large piece. Lay the wrong side of the strip to the wrong side of the material ([Figure 60]). The edges must be even. Use the combination stitch of one running stitch and one back-stitch just below the basting. When the strip has been securely sewed to the four sides of the material, join the two ends together on the wrong side.
Now take your tape, which may be white or the colour of the figure in your material, and bind the edges by first running one side down and then the other ([Figure 61]).
Fig. 61. Binding the mattress
The other piece of material is sewed in the same manner—the wrong side of the strip to the wrong side of the material. Do not sew, however, around the entire four sides but leave about six inches open through which the filling may be passed. After basting the strip with combination stitching fill with cotton or whatever material you have on hand. Do not fill the mattress so that it will be bumpy. Put a little stick in and flatten the filling at the top. Now sew the opening up and we are ready to quilt the mattress.
Thread a large needle with two pieces of heavy cotton floss or wool. Push your needle through to the other side, letting a short end extend above the mattress. Bring your needle back again close to where it came out ([Figure 62]). Unthread the needle and tie the ends tightly. Cut off what is left and repeat again two and a half inches over. It is best to quilt in rows; that is, to start two inches in from the long side and make a row parallel with the tape. The next row is made two and a half inches farther over and the next row of knots should come in between the first row of dots.