Insert the needle at a point the desired depth of the blanket stitch and take one or two running stitches to the edge of the cloth, which will bring the thread in position for the first stitch. Make the first blanket stitch over these running stitches. Holding the edge of the cloth toward you insert the needle at the same point as before and bring the needle out over the thread and draw the loop thus made to the edge of the cloth. Repeat for successive stitches. For a simple finish for a flannel edge the stitches should not be placed too close together. As far apart as the depth of the stitch is a good rule, unless greater ornamentation is desired, when three, five or seven stitches may radiate from one point.
ORNAMENTAL STITCHES.
| 1—The chain stitch. |
| 2—The Kensington stitch. |
| 3—Two styles of feather stitching. |
| 4—The herringbone stitch. |
| 5—Three styles of blanket stitch. |
B. For Embroidering an Edge—Straight, Scalloped or Irregular.
The stitches are the same as in "A" but should be placed close enough together so that the threads touch, making a firm edge. The embroidery should be done before the edge is cut. It can then be finished in various ways. The narrow edge can be turned back and whipped down on the wrong side, or blanket stitched just over the edge with fine cotton thread. On lingerie pieces the edge is not cut until after the first laundering. If desired the edge can be padded before working with the blanket stitch. The padding is done with a soft, coarse thread by working along the edge with either the Kensington or chain stitch, or it may be heavily "padded" by filling the space.
C. The blanket stitch is also used for working the loop and the buttonhole bar.
D. See [Couching], below.
E. See Lazy Daisy or Star Stitch, [page 78].