“Each one is perfectly square now,” said Margaret; “how shall we sew the first one?”
“The first one we’ll hemstitch,” said the King. “Measure one-half inch in from the edge and pick up and pull out a thread very carefully across the square. Use the Fairy’s toe as before. Do another thread towards the center. Do five threads on each side,” said Sir Bodkin.
First stitch Second stitch Hemstitching
Margaret soon had the sides drawn and ready. Then she turned a tiny hem and basted it down to the place where the threads were drawn. Fine Stitcher was harnessed with number 80 white cotton thread.
She held the hem at the top over her left forefinger. Stitcher came up through it and out at the right hand corner ready to start. He left a trail of thread under the hem to fasten it. Then he sang:
“I start at right corner where threads are drawn
And with my little toe,
Pick up a tiny bunch of them,
Slip underneath towards you.