It is impossible to prevent trousers bagging at the knee, but here is an idea that will help materially to keep knees in shape. Fasten a piece of silk to the forepart of trousers on the inside to the seams and across bottom and top seven inches above and ten inches below the knee, being careful not to allow stitches to show through on right side.
Buttonholes may be made easy to work by spacing off the number required, with pins or thread marks.
Mark length of hole, and stitch on a machine the desired length, then turn at right angles and take two stitches, then turn back and stitch other side. Turn at right angles and take two more stitches, thereby tacking both ends. All buttonholes may be stitched in one garment without removing from the machine.
This method takes the place of serging or overcasting and is much better for thin ravelly goods.
MAKING BUTTONHOLES.
Buttonholes should be overcasted or serged as soon as cut, with fine thread or silk, the stitches should be light, loose and even, this is done with a slanting stitch.
Making buttonholes: Insert the needle on the edge of the material and when half way through, take the two threads at the eye of the needle bring them towards you at the right and under the point of the needle, drawing the thread from you, making the purl or loop stitch come directly on the edge of the buttonhole. Stitches should lay close together just far enough apart for the purl or loop stitch to form, always have each stitch of the universal length so the stitches will look straight on each side of the buttonhole, the stitches may be placed closer together at the end as most wear comes there.
DARNING A THREE CORNERED TEAR.
A three cornered tear may be darned in two ways. Commence by darning diagonally through the center, darning back and forth towards the end of the tear until one-half has been finished; then begin at the center and work in the opposite direction. At the corner, the stitches should form the shape of a fan. Another method which is stronger, is done by darning a square in the angle, first with the warp threads, then with the woof threads, and finishing each end across the tear.