“Yes, that’s right. This makes a very neat seam,” Sir Bodkin told her.
“Mark with pins, the half and quarters of each of the three lace frills. Then mark the half and quarters of the collar and sleeve edges,” Sir Bodkin said and sang this song:
“Mark the half and quarters of edge and of frill,
And the gathers will then the space evenly fill.”
“Now fasten your gathering-thread securely on the right side at one end of the top (or straight edge) of the collar lace,” said the King.
“You don’t have to gather all kinds of lace, My Lady,” he went on to say; “in some you just pull the cord in the top. Stitcher, step evenly along the top and gather the frill. Let the needle hang loose at the other end. Pin the frill half and quarters to those of the collar, right sides together.”
When Margaret had done this and was ready to sew the tiny frill to the collar, Sir Bodkin finished the song:
“Hold the gathers next to you
When frill is sewed on,