(D) Button-hole Stitch
Button-hole
stitch
1. With goods over forefinger of left hand, at end of button-hole farthest from the folded edge of the cloth, insert needle between the muslin; pull through, leaving a small end of thread between muslin.
2. At same corner of button-hole, bring needle half way through. Taking both threads hanging from eye of needle between thumb and finger of right hand, pass the thread under the point of the needle, from right to left. Pull needle through, drawing the thread firmly near the button-hole. This forms the purl, which is well adapted to the constant wear upon the button-hole.
3. Repeat until needle is at first stitch taken.
(E) Finishing
Finished button-hole
1. Make barring stitches over the first barring stitches taken.
2. Put needle through these barring stitches, forming the blanket or loop stitch,—make several loop stitches and bring needle to wrong side.
3. Fasten thread by several small stitches.
NOTE.—If thread is too short to finish button-holing, fasten it on wrong side of material. Enter the new thread on wrong side and bring thread through last button-hole purl, or twisted edge.
Aunt Maria gave Mary Frances these directions very slowly, making the little girl do each step as she explained.