1. Count one hole from top of canvas and two in from end.
2. Commence as for Overhanding.
3. Bring needle out two holes to the left of first stitch.
4. Fasten as in Overhanding.
Overcasting stitch is used to finish raw edges of material to keep from fraying.
“The next stitch is the first stitch your grandmother learned to make,” said Sewing Bird. “Her little fingers got so tired and sore trying to make tiny little bits of stitches on muslin, that you may be glad you are to learn on canvas.”
Overcasting
1. Six rows from top—four over to left. Needle up from
wrong side: pull through.2. On row of holes below, one hole to left, point needle down,
bring it up in first row of holes, two holes to the left of first stitch.3. Hood canvas over the first finger. Finish row.
4. Fasten as in Overcasting.
“Is that all there is to hemming?” asked Mary
Frances happily.
“No, little Miss, that is just a ‘first beginning,’
as my grandmother used to say. Some day I hope
you will make hemming stitches so small that they
will scarcely show—on a dolly’s apron.”