Lead or lerd works or fillings are the names given by Devonshire workers to the fine delicate work which composes or fills up the centre of the flowers. These fillings are of two kinds, diamond and square fillings.
The diamond filling is the easiest of the two kinds, only good workers being able to work square fillings properly.
No. 21.—Violet Sprig.
This violet differs from the old violet sprig, and is often preferred on account of the speed with which it can be worked. Work the leaf first, then the close stem work, and finally the flower, taking up sewings at all parts joining each other.
No. 21—Violet Sprig.
Diamond Fillings.
Begin with 4 bobbins, as in learning the whole stitch, and number as before—1, 2, 3, 4.
Take up No. 2, hold it loosely, but do not let it go, in the left hand, No. 4 over the thread, No. 3 up over it, No. 1 out, forming a plait—IN, UP, OUT. Moving the No. 2 as you go, leaving the others lying in place on the cushion except when actually moving them as directed, draw up on the two outside threads, Nos. 1 and 4, and work on until you come to the pinhole. Twist twice, put in a pin, twist both pairs twice, work a stitch, twist twice. As many two pairs of bobbins must be used as the space requires to fill properly; the fillings are worked in rows, each two pair working separately.