|
The art of embroidering with cotton on
linen, muslin, cambric, piqué, &c.c., is very easy to learn by
strictly attending to the following instructions.
The size of the thread and needle must
correspond to that of the material on which you embroider; the needle
must not be too long, and the cotton must be soft.
Skilful embroiderers never work over
anything, because when you tack the material on paper or cloth each
stitch shows, and if the material is very fine, leaves small holes;
but for those that are learning we should advise them to tack the
material to be embroidered upon a piece of toile cirée. If you
work without this, place the material straight over the forefinger of
the left hand; the material must never be held slantways. The three
other fingers of the left hand hold the work; the thumb remains free
to give the right position to each stitch. The work must always, if
possible, lie so that the outline of the pattern is turned towards the
person who works. For the sake of greater clearness one part of the
following illustrations is given in larger size than nature. Preparing
the patterns is one of the most important things in embroidery, for
the shape of the patterns is often spoiled merely because they have
not been prepared with sufficient care.
|
