Fig. 299. Square stitch forming the back of the cross stitch.
Two-sided Italian stitch (figs. [300], [301], [302], [303]).—Two-sided Italian stitch consists of cross stitches, alike on both sides, divided from each other by horizontal and vertical stitches. The upper and lower stitches should all slope one way, as in plain cross stitch.
Italian stitch is worked in one journey, to and fro. Fig. [300] shows how to fasten in the thread, and place the needle for the first stitch, from right to left; fig. [301], the position of the needle from left to right, to form the cross at the back, and the vertical stitch to the left, on the right side; fig. [302], the position of the needle, for a two-sided horizontal stitch at the bottom of the cross, where upon you proceed as in fig. [300]. Fig. [303] explains the return of the thread, which completes the double crosses and the lines between.
Fig. 300. Two-sided italian stitch. Introduction of the thread and position of the needle for the first stitch.
Fig. 301. Two-sided italian stitch. Position of the needle for the 2nd and 3rd stitches.
The horizontal lines, not made on the first journey, are added on the way back. In conclusion, pass the needle back, horizontally, from left to right, to make the final stitch over the cross, and then make the stitch between, as shown in fig. [303]. On a thin stuff, this stitch produces an extremely pretty effect, resembling lattice-work, provided the thread be tightly drawn in the working.