Back over I go and step towards you
Beneath the bunch again,
But this time stick my little toe
Up through the edge of hem.”
“There!” cried Sir Bodkin, “you’ve made your first hemstitch. Keep the bunches of threads the same size as you go from right to left and they’ll look even when finished.”
Margaret and Stitcher went very carefully along one side to the other corner.
“You have to be careful when you pick up the threads in the tiny spaces at the corners where the cloth is double. Whip the outside edges of the hems together at the corners so they won’t fray out when washed,” said Sir Bodkin and waited for this to be done and the thread fastened.
“Oh,” said Margaret, “that takes care to make it look nice. And you have to keep your hands very clean or your work gets dirty.”
“Well, My Lady, we can’t have any gains without pains, you know. Take your time and be sure to get the bunches of threads even and all sewing threads fastened well. Then this fine white linen handkerchief hemstitched by hand will be a present fit for a queen,” Sir Bodkin replied.