Another name for this lazy-daisy stitch is the "bird's-eye" stitch ([Figure 113]). It is used to represent clovers, daisies, or leaves. The stitch is made, if for a daisy, from a common centre. Bring your needle up from the centre of the daisy and take a stitch the length of the petal. Let the thread come from the left under the point of the needle. Pull the needle through the material on the right side. A short stitch at the end of the petal catches it down to the material. The needle is now brought back to the centre and the next petal made in the same manner. Any size daisy can be made like this from the quarter to a two-inch size. Remember that the larger your daisy is the more petals it should have. As fine thread should be used for the little flowers and the heaviest silk or lustre for the big ones, it is a wise plan to faintly mark in pencil the daisy. One line will be sufficient for each petal. If you do this, you can then be sure that each petal will be the same length as the last.
A charming little yoke can be made of groups of fine tucks and rows of the daisies.
XI
COUCHING, SHADOW WORK AND TURKISH STITCH
HOW TO STAMP DESIGNS
The more one does of fancy work the more fascinating it becomes. Every new piece presents an opportunity for new stitches and colours.
We have talked a lot in the first chapters of this book as to the different implements necessary for sewing and by now I am sure you have a well-equipped sewing box or basket. Now it will be necessary to add considerably to your work box for embroidery.
The crewel needle which I mentioned in the ninth chapter is the most important implement. Get a pack of assorted Nos. from 5 to 10. They will answer every purpose unless you need a large tapestry needle for couching. The most unfortunate thing about a crewel needle is that the eye has the bad habit of breaking. This is caused from the steel being so fine at the top that vigorous working snaps it off very quickly.
A tapestry needle is like a large crewel needle, only it is much stronger and the eye is very large.