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Title: Handicraft for Girls - A Tentative Course in Needlework, Basketry, Designing, - Paper and Cardboard Construction, Textile Fibers and Fabrics - and Home Decoration and Care
Author: McGlauflin, Idabelle
Language: English
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HANDICRAFT FOR GIRLS
A TENTATIVE COURSE
IN
NEEDLEWORK, BASKETRY, DESIGNING, PAPER AND CARD-BOARD
CONSTRUCTION, TEXTILE FIBERS AND FABRICS
AND HOME DECORATION AND CARE
DESIGNED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND HOMES
IDABELLE MCGLAUFLIN
_Supervisor of the Girls' Handwork in the Denver Public Schools_
[Illustration]
Published by
THE MANUAL ARTS PRESS
PEORIA, ILLINOIS
COPYRIGHT
IDABELLE MCGLAUFLIN
1910
EXPLANATORY NOTE.
The exercises in this five-year course are based upon an estimated time
of one hour per week in the first two years, and one and one-half hours
in the last three, the school year consisting of thirty-eight weeks.
All materials, with the exception of that used for the full-sized
garments and some of the Christmas gifts, are supposed to be furnished
by the Board of Education. In many instances the pupils are allowed the
privilege of supplying themselves with a better grade of material if
they wish. In every case a substitute is given for the full-sized
garment if the home cannot furnish the material. All supplies can be
purchased by the class collectively or individually, if the Board of
Education so desires.
Every exercise in handicraft should embody an educational principle,
making sure the training of the judgment, the eye, or the memory, and
tending to develop skill, patience, accuracy, perseverance, dexterity or
artistic appreciation.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.--SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS 7
General Directions for Pupils of Sewing
Classes. Drills for Beginners.
CHAPTER II--COURSE OF INSTRUCTION 11
First Year--Third Grade. Detailed Description
of Exercises.
CHAPTER III.--COURSE OF INSTRUCTION 19
Second Year--Fourth Grade. Detailed Description
of Exercises.
CHAPTER IV.--COURSE OF INSTRUCTION 28
Third Year--Fifth Grade. Detailed Description
of Exercises.
CHAPTER V.--COURSE OF INSTRUCTION 39
Fourth Year--Sixth Grade. Detailed Description
of Exercises.
CHAPTER VI.--COURSE OF INSTRUCTION 50
Fifth Year--Seventh Grade. Detailed Description
of Exercises.
CHAPTER VII.--DESCRIPTION OF STITCHES 62
Stitches Used in Plain Sewing. Ornamental
Stitches. Miscellaneous.
CHAPTER VIII.--TEXTILE FIBERS AND FABRICS 90
Silk. Cotton. Flax. Wool.
CHAPTER IX.--DRESS AND ITS RELATION TO ART 98
CHAPTER X.--PAPER, CLOTH AND CARDBOARD CONSTRUCTION 101
CHAPTER XI.--HOME FURNISHING, DECORATION AND CARE 112
CHAPTER XII.--BASKETRY 114
General Directions for making the Coil Basket.
The Sewed Baskets.
CHAPTER I.
SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS.
The teacher's preparation for the lesson consists in doing each exercise
before presenting the lesson to the class. It will take some of your
time to do so, but it will save hours of time and much worry in the end,
and you will thus discover how best to present the difficult points of
the lesson. A well finished piece gives to the child a complete mental
picture of what she is undertaking, and acts as an inspiration; she will
work quicker, easier, and better because of it. This impulse and a clear
demonstration of the method of doing, will enable her to work far more
independently of the teacher than would otherwise be possible, and will
give more satisfactory results.
What are designated as "electives" in this book are designed to meet the
needs of classes or individuals doing the work a second time or of
teachers who find the regular work too difficult.
Large classes can be handled with less wasted energy by dividing the
class into groups that are doing the same work. This saves endless
repetition and enables the teacher to give better general supervision.
This is the most vulnerable point in class work. A teacher may work
laboriously and still waste her own and the children's time by too close
an adherence to the individual method of instruction. Those children
whose turn comes toward the end of the line will have lost much of the
value of the lesson. Children require constant supervision. It is not
teaching to examine the work when finished and order it ripped out. The
fault is then with the teacher and not with the child. Each successive
step should be inspected and corrected before the next one is taken. I
would go still farther and have every pupil, even in the advanced
grades, submit a sample of her work on every stitch to be used in each
exercise. Children are always eager to begin a new piece, and if
required to practice until the result is satisfactory will very soon do
good work. You then have this to refer to and can hold them to their
best.
There is absolutely no value in poor, careless, puttering work. Unless
the child has a high ideal and strives to reach it, the time of the
lesson is wasted. Encourage self-criticism. Work should be done to
one's own satisfaction whether it is to be seen by others or not.
Do not allow pupils to take their work home unless it is some required
practice work. It is not the object to cover a certain amount of ground,
but to inculcate high standards of excellence and some technical skill.
They cannot accomplish this by themselves. I would prefer that classes
do not complete the entire course rather than have good work sacrificed
to quantity. There is a difference between careful, painstaking effort,
and the puttering away of valuable time.
Avoid delay in distributing supplies.
Be sure that every member of the class understands clearly the object of
the lesson.
Do not encourage waste by a too liberal supply of material.
Too much stress cannot be laid upon the careful preparation of the cloth
to be used. Trim all edges neatly before hemming, facing, gathering,
etc. _Do not allow children to sew without basting._ The time required
for careful basting is well spent.
It is not expected that the various pupils of the class will advance
with the same degree of proficiency. Some will require a much longer
time on an exercise than others. As it is greatly to the advantage of
the class in the end, and saves time and tiresome repetition to give
each new exercise or stitch as a class lesson, the average pupils should
regulate the time for taking up new work. A teacher of resources will
find ways and means of bringing up the work of slow pupils, and
profitable 'busy work' for those who work more rapidly. For the former,
a little extra time each day--not as a punishment, but as an opportunity
to catch up--would be all that is necessary. For the latter, there is a
great variety of interesting, useful work.
It is a pedagogic truism that every teacher, consciously or
unconsciously, imparts to her class her own inclinations. An
enthusiastic class indicates an ardent interest on the part of the
teacher, and a distaste for work and a lack of zeal on the part of the
pupils are equally indicative of the teacher's attitude. Bear in mind
that an unprepared teacher or a poorly presented lesson can make almost
any exercise difficult and distasteful to the class. Do not blame pupils
for poor work for which you are yourself responsible.
SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHERS
GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR PUPILS OF SEWING CLASSES.
1. Be sure that the hands are clean.
2. Always sit erect--well back in the seat--with the light coming over
the left shoulder, both feet upon the floor, because the body will not
become as tired, the hand will not shade the work and it is easier to
see the stitches. Do not fasten the work to the knee, because a stooping
position easily becomes a habit.
3. Place the thimble upon the second finger of the right hand. Either
the side or end of the thimble can be used. Never sew without one.
4. Measure the thread either from shoulder to shoulder or from the end
of the finger to the elbow. A long thread becomes soiled and worn before
being used up and is more liable to knot.
5. Wind the thread once around the forefinger and break from the spool,
because the broken thread twists more easily to a point than when cut.
Cut the thread from the work when finished to avoid drawing the stitches
or breaking at the wrong place.
6. Thread the needle from the end that hangs from the spool. In this way
you are working with the twist of the thread and there is less danger of
knotting and kinking.
7. Do not wet the thread in the mouth. Roll the end of the thread
between the thumb and forefinger and place through the eye of the
needle.
8. To tie a knot wind the thread around the forefinger once and a little
over, and twist by rubbing the finger down the side of the thumb. With
the nail of the second finger bring the knot thus formed to the end of
the thread.
9. Hold the unfinished work in the left hand.
10. Do not bite the threads.
11. Trim the selvedge, as it is hard to sew through and draws up when
washed.
12. The knot is always buried except in the basting which is to be
removed.
DRILLS FOR BEGINNERS.
DRILL 1. Threading the needle with cotton. Needle No. 8; colored thread.
a. Prepare the cotton by twisting between thumb
and forefinger.
b. Place the thread in the eye of the needle.
c. Draw the thread through with the right hand.
DRILL 2. Making the knot.
a. Hold the needle in the right hand and the end
of the thread in the left.
b. Wind the thread around the forefinger once and
a little over, and twist the threads together by
rubbing the finger down the side of the thumb. Do
not accept careless knots.
DRILL 3. Use of the thimble.
a. Push the needle with the thimble.
b. Push the needle back with the finger of the
left hand.
_Never allow a pupil to sew without a thimble._
DRILL 4. Threading the yarn needle.
a. Prepare the yarn by loosening the end with the
needle.
b. Place the yarn over the point of the needle and
draw into a smooth loop.
c. Draw the needle out and thread into the loop.
Needles No. 10 will carry thread No. 100 90 80
Needles No. 9 will carry thread No. 90 80 70 60
Needles No. 8 will carry thread No. 70 60 50 40
Needles No. 7 will carry thread No. 50 40 30 20
Needles No. 6 will carry thread No. 20 10
Needles No. 5 will carry Linen thread--Luster cotton
CHAPTER II.
COURSE OF INSTRUCTION.
FIRST YEAR--THIRD GRADE.
EQUIPMENT.
Sewing box.
Pin cushion--20 pins.
Thimble.
Needles.
Scissors.
Thread cards.
Practice Piece--Unbleached muslin, 9" × 6".
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
Prepare Thread Cards--Cardboard 4" × 4", designed and cut for four kinds
of thread.
Exercise No. 1--Basting Design.
Exercise No. 2--Running Design No. 1.
Exercise No. 3--Overhanding on Practice Piece.
Exercise No. 4--Pot Holder--Weaving--Christmas Piece.[4]
Exercise No. 5--Running Design--No. 2.
Exercise No. 6--Overhanding--Running Designs 1 and 2 together.
Exercise No. 7--Running Design No. 3.[1]
Exercise No. 8--Hemming a Towel.[3]
Exercise No. 9--Running Design No. 4[1]
Exercise No. 10--Overhanding--Running Designs 3 and 4 together.
Overhanding Nos. 1 and 2 to 3 and 4.[1][2]
FOOTNOTES:
[1] See Electives, page 18.
[2] See Electives, page 18.
[3] See Electives, page 18.
[4] See Electives, page 18.
[Illustration: NO. 1-4.
CHILDREN IN NATIVE COSTUME.
SUGGESTIVE DESIGNS IN OUTLINE FOR THE RUNNING STITCH.]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXERCISES.
_Teach:_ One inch, one-half inch, one-fourth inch.
_Practice:_ "Drills for Beginners," page 10.
EXERCISE NO. 1--BASTING.
_Materials:_ Unbleached muslin 5" × 8" stamped with the three basting
stitches, No. 1, page 64; colored thread No. 50; needle No. 7.
Make pupils perfectly familiar with the _name_ and _use_ of this stitch.
See "Description of Stitches Used in Plain Sewing," page 63.
Beginning at the right hand follow the lines of the design with the
thread, placing the knots over the dots on the right hand side and
fastening over the dots at the left. Under each stamped row of stitches
put in one, two, three or more rows, depending upon the rapidity with
which each individual works. This will help to keep the class uniform.
EXERCISE NO. 2--RUNNING.
_Materials:_ Stamped running design No. 1, page 12. Unbleached muslin
6" × 8"; colored thread No. 50; needle No. 7.
Make pupils perfectly familiar with the _name_ and _use_ of this stitch.
See "Description of Stitches Used in Plain Sewing," page 63.
The object of this model is to give the pupils practice in the running
stitch. These designs are more interesting than practicing on plain
cloth, so if the work is not satisfactory, cut the knot, pull out the
thread, and try again. Give special attention to the knots and the
fastening of the threads and the general neatness of the work. Place the
knot on the wrong side and follow the lines of the design with the
running stitch.
EXERCISE NO. 3--OVERHANDING.
_Materials:_ Practice piece; colored thread No. 50; needle No. 7. Teach
the Overhanding Stitch on the Practice Piece. See "Description of
Stitches Used in Plain Sewing," page 63. Change the color of the thread
once or twice and teach the joining of the thread. Baste two folded
edges together and insist upon neat, careful work.
EXERCISE NO. 4--POT HOLDER--WEAVING--CHRISTMAS PIECE.[8]
_Materials:_ Weaving frame; netting needles; candle wicking in two
colors; brass rings.
[Illustration: THE WOVEN POT HOLDER MADE OF CANDLE WICKING.]
Teach the principles of cloth weaving and the terms warp, woof and
selvedge.
The weaving frames are made from one-inch board, 8" × 8". Three-fourths
of an inch from and parallel to the top and bottom drive a row of
nails, having very small heads, one-half inch apart, leaving an inch
margin at both sides.
Tie a slip knot in the end of the wicking and slip it over one of the
corner nails. Pass the wicking back and forth around the nails first on
one side and then the other. This forms the warp. Draw the threads
fairly tight and tie around the last nail. Thread the other color of
wicking into the netting needles, weave across the warp threads
alternately taking up and passing over them. In alternate rows take up
the threads passed over in the preceding row. Do not draw the woof
threads tight enough to draw the holder in at the sides. Slip from the
frame and fasten the loose ends by weaving them back into the holder.
Work a brass ring with the blanket stitch, using a strand of the wicking
and sew it to one of the corners.
EXERCISE NO. 5--RUNNING.
_Materials:_ Running design No. 2, page 12, 6" × 8"; colored thread No.
50; needle No. 7.
Follow the lines of the design with the running stitch.
EXERCISE NO. 6--OVERHANDING.
_Materials:_ White thread No. 50; needle No. 7. Running designs 1 and 2
are to be overhanded together. Turn a quarter-inch fold on the long side
of both pieces. Baste the folded edges together and overhand.
EXERCISE NO. 7--RUNNING.[5]
_Materials:_ Running design No. 3, page 12, 6" × 8"; colored thread No.
50; needle No. 7.
Follow the lines of the design with the running stitch.
EXERCISE NO. 8--HEMMING--PAPER FOLDING FOR A HEM.[7]
_Materials:_ Paper 4-1/2" × 7".
Fold the long way of the paper. First fold of the hem, one-fourth of an
inch. Turn half an inch hem on one side and an inch hem on the other.
Have each child cut from a card a gauge for measuring the hems and
insist that the hems be turned evenly.
Teach the hemming stitch on the Practice Piece with colored thread. Trim
the edge neatly, fold the hem accurately and baste in place. Bad habits,
that are hard to correct later, can so easily be formed in making this
stitch that I wish to caution teachers in regard to the position of the
needle in relation to the hem, the amount of cloth taken on the needle
and the tendency toward making the blind stitch or the damask hem
instead of the plain hemming stitch.
HEMMING A TOWEL.
_Materials:_ Crash, 9" woof, 6" warp; white thread No. 50; needle No. 7;
tape 4-1/2 inches.
Turn one-fourth inch fold on each side and across the bottom and baste.
Turn the second fold one-fourth of an inch on the sides and baste. Hem
the sides. Turn an inch hem at the bottom, baste and hem, giving special
attention to the corners where the bottom hem is turned over the side
hems. Hem the top with a quarter-inch hem if there is no selvedge. Sew a
loop in the middle of the top on the selvedge edge as follows: Turn in
one-fourth of an inch at both ends of the tape. Place the ends of the
tape side by side and down one-fourth of an inch from the edge of the
towel. Hem around the ends of the tape and back-stitch across the tape
just at the edge of the towel.
EXERCISE NO. 9--RUNNING.[5]
_Materials:_ Running design No. 4, page 12, 6" × 8"; colored thread No.
50; needle No. 7.
Follow the lines of the design with the running stitch.
EXERCISE NO. 10--OVERHANDING.[5][6]
_Materials:_ White thread No. 50; needle No. 7.
Running designs 3 and 4 are to be overhanded together. Turn a
quarter-inch fold on the long sides of both pieces. Baste the folded
edges together and overhand. Running designs 1 and 2 are to be
overhanded to 3 and 4. Turn a quarter-inch fold at the top of one piece
and the bottom of the other, baste the folded edges together and
overhand.
[Illustration: DOLL'S QUILT--ELECTIVE.]
ELECTIVES.
[5] Running designs No. 3 and 4 may be omitted, (this will also cut out
Exercise No. 10) and selections from the following substituted to fill
in the time, pupils furnishing their own materials and teachers planning
their own designs:
Pen wipers. Pin disks. Needle books. Small pin cushions for the sewing
box. A wiper for eye-glasses.
[6] The four running designs in Exercise No. 10 may be made into a
doll's quilt by basting to a lining, turning in and overhanding the
edges together and tacking. Pupils will furnish their own materials for
the lining.
[7] Instead of the small towel encourage children to ask their mothers
for a dish towel which they can bring from home to hem. Some
house-keeper of the neighborhood might be glad to have her dish-towels
hemmed for her by the class.
[8] Instead of the pot holder a child's picture-book may be substituted.
See "Paper, Cloth and Cardboard Construction," page 101.
CHAPTER III.
COURSE OF INSTRUCTION.
SECOND YEAR--FOURTH GRADE.
EQUIPMENT.
Sewing box.
Pin cushion--20 pins.
Thimble.
Needles.
Scissors.
Thread cards.
Practice Piece--Unbleached muslin 9" × 12".
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
Prepare Thread Cards--Cardboard 4" × 4", designed and cut for four kinds
of thread.
Exercise No. 11--Seam Sampler--Seam A--Combination Stitch.
Exercise No. 12--Emery Balls.[9]
Exercise No. 13--Seam Sampler--Seam B--Stitching.
Exercise No. 14--Bags--Christmas Piece.[10]
Exercise No. 15--Seam Sampler--Seam C--Half-Back Stitching.
Exercise No. 16--Doily--Blanket Stitch--Outline Stitch.[11]
Exercise No. 17--Seam Sampler--Seam D--French Seam.
Exercise No. 18--A Pair of Dolls' Pillow Cases.[12]
Exercise No. 19--Seam Sampler--Seam E--French Fell.
Exercise No. 20--Textile Fibers and Fabrics--Silk.
FOOTNOTES:
[9] See Electives, page 27.
[10] See Electives, page 27.
[11] See Electives, page 27.
[12] See Electives, page 27.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXERCISES.
_Review:_ One inch, one-half inch, one-fourth inch.
_Teach:_ One-eighth inch, three-eighths inch, seven-eighths inch.
SEAM SAMPLER.
_Materials:_ Plain percale 10" warp, 12" woof; white thread No. 50;
needle No. 7.
Five exercises of the Second Year Sewing will consist of seam work on
the Seam Sampler. _Each stitch will be first taught on the Practice
Piece._ Make pupils perfectly familiar with the names and uses of the
different stitches as they are taught. As the year's work progresses
compare the different seams and teach when, where and why these various
seams are used in garment making. See "Description of Seams," page 85.
That the pupils may not lose interest in their sewing the seam work is
alternated with miscellaneous exercises.
Fold the percale with the warp into three equal pieces. Cut off one
piece. Have each pupil label her large piece with her name. Collect and
put them away until ready for Seam B. Do not leave them in the boxes or
they will be lost, or soiled with too much handling.
EXERCISE NO. 11--SEAM A--COMBINATION STITCH.
See description of "Seam Sampler" given above.
_Materials:_ First section of Seam Sampler.
Fold with the warp through the center, and cut on the fold. Baste these
two edges together one-fourth of an inch from the edge. Sew with the
Combination Stitch three-eighths of an inch from the edge.
EXERCISE NO. 12--EMERY BALLS.[13]
_Materials:_ Unbleached muslin, 6-1/2" × 6-1/2"; red cashmere 6-1/2" ×
6-1/2" (this amount provides for four); thread, yellow, white and red;
emery powder; needles No. 7 and No. 3; green luster cotton.
To cut the pattern of the strawberry emery ball: Draw a circle three
inches in radius, and cut on the line.
Cut a circle from the unbleached muslin for the lining and one a quarter
of an inch larger from the cashmere for the outside; cut both into
quarters.
To make the case: Fold the two edges of the muslin together and sew in a
seam with the combination stitch, rounding the point to give the
strawberry shape. Turn in a good seam at the top and gather. Fill with
the powdered emery and fasten the gathering thread by overhanding over
the top.
[Illustration: THE COMPLETED SEAM SAMPLER ILLUSTRATING EXERCISES NOS.
11, 13, 15, 17, AND 19.]
Before sewing up the outside put in the stitches, with yellow thread, to
represent the seeds of the strawberry as follows: Hold the wrong side of
the cloth toward you and put in a row of tiny stitches half an inch
apart. One-fourth of an inch above these put in another row with the
stitches midway between those of the last row, and so continue. If
desired these may be omitted and the seeds represented by French knots
when the strawberry is finished.
Seam up the outside, slip it over the case, arranging the seams on
opposite sides to avoid the possibility of powder sifting through.
Overhand the top and cover with the green luster cotton to represent the
calyx, leaving a loop for the stem.
EXERCISE NO. 13--SEAM B--STITCHING.
_Materials:_ Second section of Seam Sampler.
Fold with the warp through the center and cut on the fold. Baste these
two edges together one-fourth of an inch from the edge. Stitch
three-eighths of an inch from the edge.
EXERCISE NO. 14--BAGS--CHRISTMAS PIECE.[14]
The Christmas Piece will consist of bags of any size, shape or style for
which the pupils wish to furnish their own materials. This gives the
teacher an opportunity to exercise her own ingenuity and taste and to
have some individuality in her work. There is a great variety, from the
utility bag made of cheap, pretty material, costing only a few pennies,
to the more elaborate ones made of dainty silk or ribbon. A little tact
will easily adapt the style of bag to the home into which it is to go,
for the purpose for which it is to be used, and the purse of the donor.
Following are the directions for a simple button-bag:
_Materials:_ A soft washable fabric, 14" warp, 6" woof; thread; needles;
narrow tape 26 inches.
[Illustration: BAGS TO ILLUSTRATE EXERCISE NO. 14.]
Crease an inch hem at each end. Fold the cloth with the two hems right
sides together and baste from the lower edge of the hems to the bottom
of the bag. Stitch a quarter-inch seam. Turn in the ends of the hems
even with the sides of the bag and overhand from the top five-eighths of
an inch, leaving an opening for the tapes three-eighths of an inch wide
at the bottom of the hem. Baste and hem the hems, fastening securely
at each side of the tape openings, as there is considerable strain when
the tapes are drawn. Put in a row of running stitches parallel to and
five-eighths of an inch from the top of the bag, for the tape opening.
With a tape needle draw in the two tapes, sew the ends of each together
and draw out of opposite openings so that the place of joining will not
show. Overcast the seams.
EXERCISE NO. 15--HALF-BACK STITCHING.
_Materials:_ First and second sections of the Seam Sampler.
Baste the two sections together one-fourth of an inch from the edge. Sew
with the half-back stitch three-eighths of an inch from the edge.
EXERCISE NO. 16--A DOILY--BLANKET STITCH AND THE KENSINGTON OUTLINE
STITCH.[15]
_Materials:_ Imitation Butchers' Linen 9" × 9"; white luster cotton;
needle No. 5.
An exercise in paper cutting for the doily design. Have pupils provide
themselves with ten or twelve pieces of paper eight inches square for
practice cutting. Fold the first paper three times and cut a convex,
concave or compound curve from corner to corner. Open and study these
curved lines and select the most graceful. Cut again making corrections.
Cut a design in straight lines. Cut one composed of both straight and
curved lines. Do not work haphazard, but criticise, compare and reject.
The surface requires little decoration if the doily is pleasing in
outline. That which is placed upon it should have some relation to the
outline. Study the space to be decorated and how it can be divided or
ornamented by lines, curved or straight, that may serve as a real
decoration, but avoid too elaborate designs. Before beginning the doily
have a finished pattern. The pattern may be transferred to the cloth by
tracing the pattern with a hard pencil, using carbon paper between
pattern and cloth, or the pattern may be pinned on and the outline drawn
and the design put on freehand.
[Illustration: ORIGINAL DESIGNS FOR THE DOILY BY FOURTH GRADE GIRLS.]
To work the Doily. Finish the edge with the blanket stitch. See "Blanket
Stitch," page 73. Work the lines of the design with the Kensington
Outline Stitch.
EXERCISE NO. 17--FRENCH SEAM.
_Materials:_ Third section of the Seam Sampler.
Fold with the warp through the center and cut on the fold. Follow the
directions for the French Seam.
EXERCISE NO. 18--A PAIR OF MINIATURE PILLOW CASES.[16]
_Materials:_ Two pieces bleached muslin 7-1/2" warp, 8-1/2" woof; white
thread No. 50; needle No. 7.
In a pillow case the warp threads should run lengthwise of the pillow.
Crease a quarter-inch fold across one end and on both sides. Fold with
the warp through the center so that the seam just turned comes on the
inside, baste the folded edges together on the right side. Overhand on
the right side, using no knot, but sewing over the end of the thread.
Turn a three-quarter inch hem, baste and hem. Trim the seam and
overcast.
EXERCISE NO. 19--FRENCH FELL.
_Materials:_ Seam Sampler.
Sew Section Three of the Seam Sampler to the others with the French
Fell. Follow directions for the French Fell.
EXERCISE NO. 20--TEXTILE FIBERS AND FABRICS--SILK.
Under the heading "Textile Fibers and Fabrics," page 90, will be found
subject matter which can be used in correlation with the geography,
language and history work. The fourth grade subject is silk. Secure if
possible the silk cocoon and make a collection of silk fabrics. Language
papers on the subject can be illustrated with pictures cut from papers
and magazines.
ELECTIVES.
[13] A choice may be had between the strawberry and the tomato emery
ball.
TOMATO EMERY BALL--_Materials:_ Unbleached muslin 6" × 3"; red cashmere
6" × 3"; emery powder; red thread No. 50; green luster cotton.
To cut the pattern: Draw a circle one and one-fourth inches in radius
and cut on the line.
Cut the two pieces for the lining and the two for the outside of the
same size. Place the right sides of the two pieces of cashmere together
between the two pieces of lining. Baste all together. Sew with the back
stitch one-fourth of an inch from the edge, leaving an opening for
turning and filling. Turn in a seam at the opening, fill with powder and
close by overhanding the edges together. Flatten as much as possible and
make the creases seen in the tomato by tightly drawing the thread of
luster cotton from the center around the outside and back to the center,
repeating several times. Make a little tuft of the luster cotton in the
middle at the top.
[14] The order of the doily and the bag may be reversed, using the doily
for the Christmas piece instead of the bag, or the paper box may be
substituted. See "Cloth and Cardboard Construction," page 102.
[15] Simple toilet articles in white, such as a handkerchief case, may
be substituted for the doily, teachers planning their own designs.
[16] One pillow-case may be omitted and a pillow for the other case made
instead. This may be stuffed with crumpled bits of paper. Use unbleached
muslin for the pillow.
CHAPTER IV.
COURSE OF INSTRUCTION.
THIRD YEAR--FIFTH GRADE.
EQUIPMENT.
Sewing box.
Pin cushion--30 pins.
Thimble.
Needles.
Scissors.
Thread cards.
Practice Piece--Unbleached muslin 9" × 12".
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
Prepare Thread Cards--Cardboard 4" × 4" designed and cut for four kinds
of thread.
Exercise No. 21--Patching Sampler--Hemmed Patch.
Exercise No. 22--Mitered Corner.
Exercise No. 23--Patching Sampler--Overhand Patch.
Exercise No. 24--Basketry--Christmas Piece.[17][18]
Exercise No. 25--Napkin--Damask Hem.[19]
Exercise No. 26--Flannel Patch.
Exercise No. 27--A Pair of Sleeve Protectors.
Exercise No. 28--A Garment Brought from Home to be Repaired.
Exercise No. 29--A Pin Cushion.[20]
Exercise No. 30--Textile Fibers and Fabrics--Cotton.
FOOTNOTES:
[17] See Electives, page 36.
[18] See Electives, page 36.
[19] See Electives, page 36.
[20] See Electives, page 36.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXERCISES.
Review the divisions of the inch.
PATCHING SAMPLER.
_Materials:_ Gingham 8" warp, 13" woof; white thread No. 60; needle No.
8.
It is desirable that each girl cut the two patches and the two pieces to
be patched from the same piece of cloth, that there may be no difficulty
in matching the pattern, when patching or when later sewing the two
patched pieces together.
Fold the piece of gingham, eight inches by thirteen inches woof, with
the warp into three sections, two of them eight inches warp by five
inches woof, and the third eight inches warp by three inches woof. Fold
the three-inch piece across the warp in the center for the two patches.
Cut on the creases. Pin one patch to one of the large pieces, label with
the girl's name and put it away for Exercise No. 23.
EXERCISE NO. 21--HEMMED PATCH.
_Materials:_ First section of Patching Sampler.
The hemmed patch is the strongest and the one most commonly used for
repairing garments. The patch will not be noticeable if the pattern is
skilfully matched. When matching stripes or plaids always turn on the
line where the color changes, never through the middle of a stripe. Ten
minutes spent on a paper pattern will prevent the mistakes beginners
usually make in this exercise.
Trim the patch and crease a quarter-inch fold on the four sides. Place
the patch in the center of the large piece (which we will imagine to be
worn) and baste around it, matching the pattern carefully. Do not allow
pupils to go any farther until the patch is basted on exactly right.
Turn to the right side and cut out the part supposed to be worn by the
following successive steps:
1. Measure one-half inch (or as near it as the
pattern will permit) from the edge of the patch,
using pins for marking the line where it is to be
cut.
2. Cut out the center, leaving about one-half inch
extending over the patch.
3. Clip the corners diagonally the _exact_ width
of the fold to be turned in. _Take great care and
do not cut in too far_, as this will spoil the
patch.
4. Turn in the edge, baste and hem.
5. Hem the patch on the wrong side.
[Illustration: THE MITERED CORNER.]
EXERCISE NO. 22--MITERED CORNER.
_Materials:_ Paper.
Teach the mitered corner on paper only. Have it done over and over until
every pupil understands how it is done, and can do it alone, rapidly and
perfectly. Ask pupils to bring paper from home, as almost any kind will
do for this practice work. Have it made in hems of several widths. See
description of "Miscellaneous" exercises, page 79.
EXERCISE NO. 23--OVERHAND PATCH.
_Materials:_ Second section of the Patching Sampler.
The overhand patch is used on very thin material, such as lawn, dimity
or organdy, where strength is not required and where the two thicknesses
of cloth around the edge of the hemmed patch would be too noticeable.
The pattern should be as carefully matched as in the hemmed patch and
equal care given to the corners. A paper pattern will assist beginners.
Fold the large piece of gingham with the four corners together and clip
off the point from the center. The following are the successive steps
for making the overhand patch:
1. Measure on each side of the center, with the
warp, one and one-fourth inches and with the woof
three-fourths of an inch. Mark with pins.
2. Cut out the oblong at these points (or as near
as the pattern permits, observing also the pattern
of the patch to be used.)
3. Clip the corners diagonally the _exact_ width
of the fold to be turned in.
4. Turn in the fold on the four sides of the hole.
5. Crease the folds on the four sides of the patch
so that it will fit exactly into the hole,
matching patterns.
6. Beginning near the middle of one side overhand
the patch in, matching as you overhand. Do not
baste.
The two patched pieces are to be overhanded together. Turn a
quarter-inch fold on each with the warp, matching the pattern, baste
together and overhand.
Teach the Overcasting on the Practice Piece and overcast all raw edges
on the Patching Sampler.
EXERCISE NO. 24--BASKETRY--CHRISTMAS PIECE.[21][22]
This subject has such limitless possibilities and its success or failure
rests so entirely with the teacher that it will be necessary for each
teacher to prepare herself to teach it and decide upon the style, size
and general character of the design of the baskets to be made by her
class, allowing the pupils as far as possible to work out their
individual tastes.
See chapter on "Basketry," page 114.
EXERCISE NO. 25--NAPKIN--DAMASK HEM.[23]
_Materials:_ Damask 8-1/2" × 8-1/2"; white thread No. 60; needle No. 8.
See Description of the Damask Hem, page 70.
Trim the napkin square. Crease a half-inch hem on the four sides. The
corners are to be mitered, and this is more easily done by basting the
side hems in place, skipping across the corners when basting. Turn out
the corners and miter them. Hem the corners with the flat hem and the
sides with the damask hem.
EXERCISE NO. 26--FLANNEL PATCH.
_Materials:_ Flannel 6-1/2" × 6-1/2", patch 3" × 3"; sewing silk; needle
No. 8.
See description of the Herringbone Stitch, page 77.
Cut from the center of the large piece of flannel a two-inch square.
Trim the patch square and place it over this hole. Baste at both edges.
Teach the herringbone stitch on the practice piece, and herringbone over
the raw edges of the patch. Turn one fold three-eighths of an inch wide
on the four sides of the large piece, baste and herringbone stitch the
raw edge. _Keep the raw edges trimmed._
EXERCISE NO. 27--A PAIR OF SLEEVE PROTECTORS.
_Materials:_ Cotton twill 8-1/2" × 11"; tape 36"; ribbon elastic 4";
white thread No. 60; needle No. 8.
[Illustration: A COOKING SET, CONSISTING OF AN APRON (EXERCISE NO. 33),
SLEEVE PROTECTORS (EXERCISE NO. 27), AND A HOLDER AND CASE (AN ELECTIVE
FOR EXERCISE NO. 24).]
To cut the pattern of a sleeve protector: Cut an oblong eight inches by
ten and one-half inches. Fold through the center the long way. Mark the
top of the folded edge A, the bottom B, the upper right hand corner C
and the lower D. Measure down on the folded edge from A four inches
and mark E. Measure down from C four inches and mark F. Measure up from
D five inches and mark G. Measure on the line B D three and one fourth
inches from B and mark H. Connect G and H with a straight line. With E
as the center and E A as the radius draw a quarter of a circle
connecting A and F. Cut on the lines H G, and A F.
Cut the sleeve protectors from the pattern. Beginning at the center of
the bottom and holding the wrong side of the cloth next to you, baste
the edge of the sleeve protector to the line running through the middle
of the tape. Make a tiny pleat in the tape at each corner so that when
doubled over it will round the corners smoothly. Join the ends of the
tape by folding back both ends and overhanding them together on the
wrong side. Hem the tape down on the right side. Before basting the tape
down on the wrong side, fasten the elastic in place on one side of the
sleeve protector. The elastic is in two pieces, two inches in length.
Place the first piece one inch from the bottom and the second piece
three inches above the first. Baste the tape down on the wrong side and
hem, leaving the opening for the other end of the elastic, which is
fastened in place after the hemming is done. Lay the binding smooth over
the elastic and stitch along the edge of the tape, through the elastic,
to hold in place.
EXERCISE NO. 28--A GARMENT BROUGHT FROM HOME TO BE MENDED.
Ask every pupil to bring some article from home, in preference a
garment, to be mended. There is no home that cannot furnish a garment
that needs repairing. This is a practical application of Exercises 21,
23 or 26, and is a valuable experience for the children.
EXERCISE NO. 29--A PIN CUSHION.[24]
_Materials:_ These will be furnished by the pupils.
Pupils and teachers will plan their own designs, adapting them to the
material furnished. The cushions may be of any size, shape or kind. Do
not have the children incur expense, as small pieces of ribbon, silk or
bright bits of many kinds of cloth can be made into attractive cushions.
Hardwood sawdust, sifted, makes an excellent filling.
EXERCISE NO. 30--TEXTILE FIBERS AND FABRICS--COTTON.
Under the heading "Textile Fibers and Fabrics," page 92, will be found
subject matter which can be used in correlation with the geography,
language and history work. The fifth grade subject is cotton. Many
interesting collections can be made that will be instructive for the
children.
[Illustration: PIN CUSHIONS TO ILLUSTRATE EXERCISE NO. 29.]
a. Cotton fabrics with their names and uses.
b. Pictures.
c. Cotton fiber in the various stages of
manufacture.
d. Maps upon which can be located the countries
producing cotton and cities noted for the
manufacture of cotton cloth.
e. Compositions on cotton and allied subjects.
ELECTIVES.
[21] The round holder and case may be substituted for the basketry, or a
blank book with paper cover or the folding envelope case may be made
instead. See "Paper, Cloth and Cardboard Construction," page 104.
[22] The pin cushion may be substituted for the basketry and the book
cover, or the book bag, or the round holder given for Exercise No. 29.
[23] A book cover or a book bag for carrying books may be substituted
for the pin cushion.
A ROUND HOLDER AND CASE.
_Materials:_ Unbleached muslin, 14" × 7"; bleached muslin 15" × 7-3/4";
strap 18" × 1-1/2"; bias binding 25" × 1"; wadding.
To cut the Circular Pattern: Cut a square of paper eight inches by eight
inches and fold it three times. Measure three and five-eighth inches
from the point on each folded edge and once between these edges. Draw a
curved line connecting these points and cut on the line. The case is cut
from this pattern, a circle having a radius of three and five-eighth
inches and the holder from a pattern one-fourth of an inch smaller with
a radius of three and three-eighth inches.
The Holder: Cut from the unbleached muslin two circular pieces. Turn in
one-fourth of an inch around both pieces. Place the wadding between
them; pin and baste together. Overhand the folded edges. Quilt the
holder in a simple pattern with the running stitch.
The Case: Cut from the bleached muslin two circular pieces. Fold one
piece with the warp through the center and cut on the fold. Turn an
eighth of an inch hem on each of the straight edges just cut, and hem.
The pupils who work rapidly could design a simple decoration for the
front of the case. This could be traced, or drawn with a hard pencil and
worked with a coarse, colored thread in any decorative stitch, before
making the case. Place the half circles on the large circle and baste
around the edge. This will leave an opening of about half an inch into
which the holder will easily slip. Make the strap by which the holder
case is hung from the belt, by folding in the edges at the sides and
across one end and overhanding together. The raw end of the strap is
then fastened at one end of the case-opening, so that it will come under
the binding. See description of the Bias, page 79. Teach the cutting and
joining of bias pieces, first with paper and then with the cloth. In
order to give the pupil this valuable experience cut the binding in
three pieces and join them together. Stitch along the edge of the
binding where it folds back against the strap. Slip the holder into the
case.
A BOOK COVER.
_Materials:_ Grass linen or Holland 15" woof by 10" warp; white thread
No. 60; needles Nos. 8 and 5; luster cotton.
The Design: Start several weeks before the class is ready to make it,
arouse an interest, and study designs for book covers. Ask pupils to
bring from home books having good designs on the covers. Have them tell
why they like certain ones and do not favor others. In a word, educate
their tastes in this line before expecting them to originate designs. Do
not attempt anything elaborate. Many artistic effects can be obtained by
interlacing straight lines and these have the advantage of being easily
worked. Paper cutting is an excellent medium for experimenting, if a
unit is to be repeated or if curves are desired in the outline. For
example, fold an oblong, four and one-half by seven inches, through the
center both ways, and cut on a slightly curving line from the folded
edges to the corner. Quite a variety of simple, graceful outlines can be
made by slightly varying these curves, which, with a simple unit
repeated around the center or in each corner makes an effective design.
Have the finished pattern before starting the book cover. Trace on the
cloth by means of the carbon paper. It will be necessary to crease the
cover over the book before putting on the design, so that it may be
placed just right.
To Make the Book Cover: Work the design with the outline stitch before
sewing up the seams. Overcast the raw edges at the top and bottom of the
cover and hem with a quarter-inch hem the two ends that fold into the
book. The raw-edged hem, finished with the herringbone stitch, could be
used in place of the plain hem, if desired. Turn in the top and bottom
of the cover so that the book will slip in easily. Overhand that part
which folds into the books to the outside, at top and bottom, thus
forming the pockets into which the covers of the book slip. Do the
overhanding on the wrong side and then turn it to the right side.
A BOOK BAG.
_Materials:_ Galatea, kaiki or burlap 15" woof, 13" warp; two strips for
handles 14" warp by 3" woof; thread No. 40; needle No. 7.
The decoration of the bag should be done before sewing up the ends. Very
artistic effects can be obtained in the applique. See directions for the
design of the book cover, page 37.
Cut a three-inch strip from the length of the piece for the end pieces.
Divide this into two pieces seven and one-half by three inches. Find the
middle of one end of both end pieces and notch them. Fold the large
piece with the warp through the center and notch at both ends of the
fold. Turn in a quarter of an inch around the large piece and baste.
Turn in a quarter of an inch across the notched end and sides of the end
pieces. Place the notch at the end of one side piece to one in the large
piece, right sides together, and pin in place. Overhand on the wrong
side the two together across the end and up both sides. Put in the other
end piece in the same way. Trim the end pieces even with the top of the
case. Turn a three-quarter inch hem at the top. Before hemming make the
straps for the handles by turning in and overhanding the edges. Insert
both ends of one strap under the hem of the right side of the bag, two
inches from the middle or four inches apart and the other strap on the
left side. Hem, and fasten the handles to the edge of the hem by
backstitching.
[24] A cover for a pin cushion affords a good application for the
mitered corner. This can be made any size, square or oblong. Ornament
with fine feather stitching and the star stitch.
CHAPTER V.
COURSE OF INSTRUCTION.
FOURTH YEAR--SIXTH GRADE.
EQUIPMENT.
Sewing box.
Pin cushion--30 pins.
Thimble.
Needles.
Scissors.
Thread cards.
Practice Piece--unbleached muslin 9" × 12".
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
Prepare Thread Cards--Cardboard 4" × 4"--designed and cut for four kinds
of thread.
Exercise No. 31--Stocking Darning.
Exercise No. 32--Placket Sampler--A Placket.
Exercise No. 33--An Apron--Christmas Piece.[25]
Exercise No. 34--Placket Sampler--The Gusset.[26]
Exercise No. 35--Buttonholes.
Exercise No. 36--Placket Sampler--The Nightgown Opening.
Exercise No. 37--Hemstitched Collar or Handkerchief.[27]
Exercise No. 38--Placket Sampler--Bands.
Exercise No. 39--An Underskirt.
Exercise No. 40--Textile Fibers and Fabrics--Flax.
FOOTNOTES:
[25] See Electives, page 48.
[26] See Electives, page 48.
[27] See Electives, page 48.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXERCISES.
Teach the yard measure and its divisions.
See note under Exercise No. 35--Buttonholes.
[Illustration: STOCKINET DARNING.]
EXERCISE NO. 31--STOCKING DARNING.
_Materials:_ Stockinet 4" × 4"; cardboard 3" × 3"; darning cotton;
darning needle; a pair of worn stockings.
See description of Stocking Darning, page 67.
Pupils will furnish their own cardboard and have it cut and ready for
the lesson, also a pair of worn stockings.
The cardboard is a substitute for the darning ball. Do not stretch the
cloth too tightly over the card, nor put in a needless number of
stitches at the back to hold it on, five or six being sufficient to hold
it temporarily in place. The darning cotton winds from the spool in
several strands loosely twisted together. Separate and use two, three or
more strands, depending upon the texture of the cloth to be darned. Take
care not to split the threads when weaving across them, and also avoid
putting the threads so far apart that holes are left between them. In
fact, try to have pupils understand that they are supplying a piece of
cloth that has been worn away, and that when finished should match as
nearly as possible in color and texture the cloth that is being
repaired. Stockinet, like stockings, is a knitted, not a woven fabric,
and as every stitch is drawn through the one below it, it is very
necessary that the loops be caught before they ravel back. Prepare the
hole for darning by whipping the edge with fine thread, catching up all
the severed loops. Either a round or an oblong hole may be cut in the
stockinet, the round hole being three-fourths of an inch across, and the
oblong three-fourths of an inch by one inch.
Follow the exercise in stockinet darning, in which the principles of
darning have been taught, with the darning of a pair of worn stockings
that the pupils have brought from home. Every child in the class must be
given this practical and useful experience. If there is difficulty in
securing these stockings, members of the class or the teacher can
readily supply the deficiency.
EXERCISE NO. 32--PLACKET SAMPLER--A PLACKET.
_Materials:_ Calico 12" woof, 14" warp; facings and bands 58" × 2";
white thread No. 60; needle No. 8.
See description of Plackets, page 81.
Upon this sampler is taught the placket, the gusset, the nightgown
opening and two different methods of putting on bands, and in addition a
review of the French seam and the French fell. It is made in sections
which are combined later. These lessons are interspersed with other
exercises that the pupils may not become tired of this piece. Teach the
placket and the nightgown opening first on paper. It will save time and
trouble in the end. Fold the large piece of calico across the warp
through the center and cut on the fold. Fold one of these pieces with
the warp, through the center and cut. The first exercise of the "Placket
Sampler" is done on one of these quarters. As these sections are to be
sewed together later each girl must have her own pieces. To avoid the
possibility of their being lost or soiled, those not in use should be
wrapped in paper, labeled and collected by the teacher and kept until
ready for Exercise No. 34.
[Illustration: PLACKET SAMPLER (FRONT VIEW).]
First section of the Placket Sampler: Fold the piece of calico with the
warp, through the center and cut an opening on this fold five inches in
length. Then follow the directions for making Placket B. Facing eleven
inches by two inches.
EXERCISE NO. 33--AN APRON--THE CHRISTMAS PIECE.[28][31]
_Materials:_ Pupils will select and furnish their own materials for an
apron. This may be of any style or kind, and will afford an excellent
opportunity for carrying out their individual tastes. This may
necessitate the teaching of the principles of bands which can be done
with the practice piece. See description of Bands, page 79.
[Illustration: PLACKET SAMPLER (BACK VIEW).]
[Illustration: APRONS--EXERCISE NO. 33.]
EXERCISE NO. 34--PLACKET SAMPLER--THE GUSSET.[29]
Second section of the Placket Sampler.
_Materials:_ The second quarter of the large piece of calico; a two-inch
square of calico for the gusset.
Fold with the warp through the center, and cut an opening on this fold
five inches in length. Then follow the directions for making the gusset.
Sew the two sections together with the French fell. Hem the sides with a
quarter-inch hem.
EXERCISE NO. 35--BUTTONHOLES.
_Materials:_ Blue Percale 9" woof by 4" warp; scraps of calico for
practice pieces; white thread No. 40 and No. 80; needles No. 7 and No.
8.
Remember the old adage _Practice Makes Perfect_.
See description of the Buttonhole, page 63.
_Note:_ Scraps and odd pieces of calico can be used for the practice
work on buttonholes. As the buttonhole requires a great deal of practice
it is well to keep these pieces in the sewing box and work at it at odd
times during the progress of the years' work. Encourage the girls, too,
to practice on the buttonhole for home work. In this way they will
gradually acquire the skill which only comes with practice. Fold the
cloth, wrong side out, with the woof and through the center, and baste
the edges together. Begin with the blind buttonhole.
The buttonhole model is intended to show how much skill has been
acquired. Fold the percale through the center, with the _woof_, and
baste the edges together. Make the buttonholes three-fourths of an inch
long and one inch apart.
EXERCISE NO. 36--PLACKET SAMPLER--THE SHIRT SLEEVE OR NIGHTGOWN OPENING.
_Materials:_ Half of the large piece of calico; facing 18" × 2".
Fold with the warp through the center and cut an opening on this fold
five inches in length. Then follow the directions for the Nightgown
Opening. Hem the side of the narrower part with a quarter-inch hem.
EXERCISE NO. 37--A HEMSTITCHED COLLAR.[29][30]
_Materials:_ Butcher's linen, collar 15-1/2" warp by 3" woof, India
linen band 15-1/2" warp by 1-1/2" woof; practice piece 6" warp by 4"
woof; white thread No. 80; needle No. 8.
Measure the neck and decide upon the length of collar and width of hem
before trimming.
See directions for Hemstitching, page 76.
Put the collar band on the collar. The collars may be still further
ornamented with fine feather stitching, the star stitch or French knots.
EXERCISE NO. 38--PLACKET SAMPLER--BANDS--HEMMED AND OVERHANDED.
See description of Bands and Gathering, pages 68 and 79.
To avoid soiling the cloth put the bands on before seaming the halves of
the Placket Sampler together. This can be done with the exception of the
band on the long side of the nightgown opening, which will have to be
done after this side is basted to the other section, cut off and hemmed,
and will therefore be the last thing to be done on the Sampler. Put the
hemmed bands on the side having the placket and the gusset, and the
overhand bands on the side of the nightgown opening.
Length of bands: On the first half, short bands cut two inches, one and
one-half inches finished; long band cut four inches, three and one-half
inches finished; on the last half, bands cut three and three quarters
inches, three and one-quarter inches finished.
Sew the two sections of the Sampler together with the French seam. The
section having the two openings is a little narrower than the other.
Baste the two sections together, basting the little pleats at the end of
the placket and the nightgown opening, and sew them into the seam. Do
not cut off the long side until basted nearly across, then cut off and
hem the side. Finish with the last band.
EXERCISE NO. 39--AN UNDERSKIRT.
_Materials:_ Pupils will furnish their own material for an underskirt
for themselves. The patterns which their mothers use can be secured from
the home, or one pattern used by all the members of the class. These
skirts may be made plain or trimmed with tucked ruffles of cloth or with
embroidery, depending upon the wishes of the mothers, the skill and
taste of the individuals and the material furnished. Should there be
difficulty in securing material for the garment, a small model on the
half-inch scale or one of the electives can be substituted. Insist that
the work be well done, neatly finished and first class throughout. Use
sewing machines when available.
Points to emphasize in the making of a skirt:
1. Cut a correct pattern before beginning the
skirt. Do not trust to making corrections when
cutting out.
2. Baste the straight edge of one gore to the bias
edge of another when making a gored skirt. This
prevents the sagging which would occur if two bias
edges were sewed together.
3. Allow plenty in hem and tucks for letting down
when making garments for growing girls.
EXERCISE NO. 40--TEXTILE FIBERS AND FABRICS--FLAX.
Under the heading "Textile Fibers and Fabrics," page 94, will be found
subject matter which can be used in correlation with the geography,
language and history work. The sixth grade subject is Flax. Make a
collection of the flax products, fabrics, etc. A class set of
compositions, each member of the class taking different subdivisions of
the subject, would make an interesting collection which could be put
together in a simple binding done by members of the class.
See "Paper and Cardboard Construction," page 101.
ELECTIVES.
[28] Placket A may be substituted for the gusset, if desired.
[29] A pin cushion cover may be hemstitched in place of the collar. Make
this a square seven inches by seven inches, or an oblong five inches by
nine inches, or any size to fit a particular cushion that can be cut
from these pieces, or any size for which the pupils furnish their own
material.
[Illustration: ROUND BOTTOM BAG WITH RAFFIA COVERING.]
[30] Pupils who desire to furnish their own materials for a linen
handkerchief may substitute this for the hemstitched collar.
[31] Basketry may be substituted for the apron, or a clipping case or a
postal-card album may be made instead.
See "Paper, Cloth and Cardboard Construction," page 107.
THE ROUND BOTTOM BAG WITH A FANCY RAFFIA COVERING.
Make the bag any size desired; a circle of three or four inches in
diameter makes a practical one. Draw the pattern for the raffia covering
on paper, the circle for the bottom being the same size as that of the
bottom of the bag. The design for the sides may be in as many sections
as desired. The tops of these sections may be shaped to suit one's
taste--round, pointed or fancy. When the pattern is completed baste a
strand of raffia on the pattern, following the lines of the design. Then
closely blanket stitch with raffia on both sides of these strands. The
spaces may then be filled with fancy lace stitches.
CHAPTER VI.
COURSE OF INSTRUCTION.
FIFTH YEAR--SEVENTH GRADE.
EQUIPMENT.
Sewing box.
Pin cushion--30 pins.
Thimble.
Needles.
Scissors.
Thread cards.
Practice Piece--Unbleached muslin 12" × 9".
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
Prepare Thread Cards--Cardboard 4" × 4", designed and cut for four kinds
of thread.
Exercise No. 41--A Trial Piece for Finishing the Bottom of Drawers.
Exercise No. 42--An Underwaist or Corset Cover.
Exercise No. 43--Collars, Jabots, Bows, etc.--Christmas Piece.[32]
Exercise No. 44--A Study of Home Furnishing, Decoration and Care.[33]
Exercise No. 45--Twist Buttonholes.
Exercise No. 46--A Pair of Drawers.
Exercise No. 47--Cloth Darning.
Exercise No. 48--Textile Fibers and Fabrics--Wool.
FOOTNOTES:
[32] See Electives, page 61.
[33] See Electives, page 61.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXERCISES.
Review Divisions of the Foot and Yard Measure.
EXERCISE NO. 41--A TRIAL PIECE FOR FINISHING THE BOTTOM OF A PAIR OF
DRAWERS.
_Materials:_ India linen 8" × 8", ruffle 12" woof, 2" warp; white thread
No. 70; needle No. 8.
[Illustration: A TRIAL PIECE, GIVING PRACTICE ON THE HEMMED SEAM,
TUCKING, AND PUTTING A RUFFLE INTO A HEM-TUCK.]
Hemmed Seam: One inch and a quarter from the top crease a fold with the
warp. Cut on this crease.
See description of the Hemmed Seam, page 86.
Putting a ruffle into a hem-tuck and tucking: Measure up from the bottom
two and one-fourth inches--or twice the width of the hem-tuck plus
one-fourth inch for the seam--and crease with the warp, across the
piece. Stitch, or run by hand an inch tuck, taking care to measure and
make perfectly even. Measure up three-eighths of an inch from this
stitching and crease for another tuck. Stitch, or run by hand an eighth
of an inch tuck. Measure up three-eighths of an inch for another tuck.
Put in a cluster of three tucks. Hem the ruffle with an eighth of an
inch hem, gather and stroke the gathers.
See description of gathering and sewing a ruffle to a straight edge,
page 69.
Place the wrong sides of the cloth and ruffle together and baste to the
edge extending below the hem-tuck, bringing the seam exactly to the edge
of the tuck. Baste and stitch the edge of the hem-tuck over the seam of
the ruffle.
EXERCISE NO. 42--AN UNDERWAIST OR CORSET COVER.
_Materials:_ Pupils may furnish their own materials for an underwaist
such as they wear. This may be of any style. Patterns can be secured
from the mothers. If there is any difficulty in securing supplies from
the home, a child's waist on a small scale may be substituted.
THE SMALL WAIST.
_Materials:_ Bleached muslin 24" woof by 10" warp, bias facings 54" by
1"; white thread No. 70; needle No. 8.
See the draft for the pattern of the small underwaist, page 53.
Patterns: Multiply all dimensions by four. Each girl can draft her
pattern from the teacher's dictation, or one pattern can be drafted
before the lesson and the members of the class cut their patterns from
this one. Insist that the patterns be exact. Have the patterns pinned
on, and submitted for inspection before the cutting is done, to avoid
blunders and waste of material. Cut the front double. One inch has been
allowed for the hem on the backs.
[Illustration: DRAFT FOR PATTERN OF UNDERWAIST.
_This draft can be used for an underwaist of any size. Determine the
length of the under arm seam in the garment required and divide this by
1-1/4. Multiply all dimensions by this quotient. As a small fraction
complicates the process and makes very little difference, use the whole
number which is nearest the quotient obtained. The slight alterations
necessary can be made in the fitting._]
[Illustration: FRONT OF CORSET COVER AND BACK OF GIRL'S UNDERWAIST.]
Baste, half-back stitch and fell the seams. Turn the hems at the back,
baste and hem. See description of the Bias, page 79. Put the bias
facing on the bottom first, then around the neck, and last around the
armholes. Teach the joining of the bias facing by having the bottom
facing in two pieces and then insist that the ends of the armhole facing
be joined in the same way. Overhand neatly the ends of the bottom and
neck facings. Make four quarter-inch buttonholes and sew on the buttons.
EXERCISE NO. 43--COLLARS, JABOTS, BOWS, ETC.--CHRISTMAS PIECE.[34]
The styles of dressing the neck vary greatly from season to season. This
is also modified by the taste of individuals. Pupils may furnish their
own material for any kind of collar desired, after thoughtful
consideration of the prevailing styles. It is possible to make a great
variety of useful and dainty articles at a trifling expense which will
be most acceptable Christmas gifts. If so intended, lead the pupils to
study the appropriateness of their gifts. Those pupils who find it
difficult to furnish their own material may substitute a collar made
from an imitation of linen which will afford the same experience in
making, but will not be quite as desirable an article to wear.
_Materials:_ Imitation linen 15" woof, 8" warp. This amount will cut
either the Dutch collar by piecing the band, or the ordinary stiff
collar. The patterns for both, or the collars from which patterns can be
cut, can be brought from home by some member of the class. Be absolutely
sure of the size before cutting out the collar, as a quarter of an inch
will make a difference in the comfort and fit. It is an excellent plan
to have collars of different sizes--12, 12-1/2, 13, 13-1/2--in the
class, try them on, and mark the buttonholes on the bands from the right
sized collars. The "Dutch" collar can be made with a plain hem and
finished with the fine featherstitching or any of the ornamental
stitches, or it can be embroidered in a simple pattern with the eyelet
embroidery. This gives an excellent opportunity for an original design,
or if so desired a pattern can be transferred by the use of the carbon
paper. The stiff collar, if made double, is first sewed up on the wrong
side and then turned and stitched along the edge on the right. It is
then put into the double band, which has been made in the same way. If
so desired the collar can be made of a single embroidered piece with the
worked edge, or finished with the hemstitched edge and ornamented with
fancy stitches.
EXERCISE NO. 44--A STUDY OF HOME FURNISHING, DECORATION AND CARE.[35]
The success of this exercise will depend entirely upon the interest and
ingenuity of the teacher.
See "Home Furnishing, Decoration and Care," page 112.
EXERCISE NO. 45--TWIST BUTTONHOLES.
_Materials:_ French flannel 3-1/2" warp by 6-1/2" woof; twist; sewing
silk; needle No. 7 and No. 8.
See description of the Buttonhole, page 63.
Pupils will furnish their own twist and flannel for the practice work.
It is not necessary that these should match in color. Double the flannel
through the center the long way, baste along the folded edge and around
the piece. Overcast the raw edges. Begin one-half inch from the top and
make the buttonholes three-fourths of an inch long and three-fourths of
an inch apart. Strand, overcast and finish with the bar.
EXERCISE NO. 46--A PAIR OF DRAWERS.
_Materials:_ Pupils may furnish their own materials for a full-sized
garment. This may be made in any style. Patterns can be secured from the
mothers or exchanged among the members of the class, or a pattern may be
drafted from the diagram. Secure the pattern first and have the girls
measure it to determine the amount of material needed. If there is any
difficulty in securing supplies from the home, a pair of child's drawers
on a smaller scale may be substituted. The directions for making the
small drawers will assist in making the full-sized garment.
THE SMALL DRAWERS.
_Materials:_ Bleached muslin 36" woof, 11" warp; ruffling, India linen
36" woof, 1-1/2" warp; white thread No. 70; needle No. 8.
[Illustration: DRAFT FOR A PATTERN OF A PAIR OF DRAWERS.
_This draft can be used for a pattern of any size. Determine the length
at the side of the garment required, and divide this by 2-1/2 and
multiply all dimensions by this figure. As a small fraction complicates
the process and will make very little difference in this garment, use
the whole number which is nearest the quotient obtained. Fold a large
piece of paper, the fold of which will represent the fold at the side of
the drawers. Draw the diagram enlarged upon one side of this. The lines
for both the front and back are the same, except the two inside lines at
the top, which will cut the front a little smaller than the back. It is
for this reason that it is drawn on the double paper._]
Patterns: See the draft for the drawers pattern, page 57. Multiply the
dimensions by four. Each girl can draft a pattern from the teacher's
dictation, or one pattern can be drafted and cut before class time, and
the members of the class cut their patterns from this one.
A strip of muslin thirty-six inches by eleven inches will cut the
drawers by careful management. The lesson in economy and the experience
of cutting from a close pattern is a valuable one for the girls, as it
is a problem which will confront them many times in life. Fold the cloth
the short way through the center, and pin the selvedge edges together.
Allow three and one-half inches from the fold for the placket facings
and bands, thus keeping the extra cloth in one large piece. Pin the
pattern in position, and cut the two lengths, at the same time taking
care that the lengthwise fold of the pattern is straight with the warp
threads. If the pattern does not allow for hem and tucks, provide the
extra length when cutting. The right sides are now together; mark them
before separating, and avoid the chance of making both pieces for the
same leg, a mistake easily made by more experienced needlewomen.
Finish the bottom of the drawer legs with one-eighth inch tucks,
one-half inch hem-tuck and the ruffle as in Exercise No. 41. One-half
inch in front of the side fold cut an opening, with the warp, four
inches in length. This may be made in both legs or in the right one
only, and may be finished with the gusset, placket A or placket B,
keeping in mind that the back buttons over the front. Finish all seams
with the French seam except where the ends of the ruffle are joined with
the hemmed seam. Gather the fullness at the top on both sides of the
front and the back seams, and draw up to the desired length of band. If
two openings have been cut at the sides make the back band one inch
longer than the front. Place buttons and make buttonholes where desired.
EXERCISE NO. 47--CLOTH DARNING.
_Materials:_ Albatros 4" × 5"; sewing silk; needle No. 8; beeswax.
See description of Cloth Darning, page 68.
Four holes, cut as follows, are to be darned on this piece of cloth:
No. 1. In the lower left hand corner one inch from the bottom and the
side, cut one inch straight with the warp. Darn with split sewing silk
on the wrong side.
No. 2. In the upper left hand corner, one inch from the top and side,
cut one inch with the warp and one inch with the woof. This will serve
for a three-cornered tear. Darn on the right side with ravelings. Spread
the stitches at the corner like the sticks of a fan.
No. 3. In the lower right-hand corner, one inch from the bottom and the
side cut one inch on the bias. Darn with split sewing silk on the wrong
side.
No. 4. In the upper right-hand corner, one inch from the top and the
side cut one inch across the warp. This will serve for a worn place in
the cloth. Place the patch under it and baste around the edge. Darn with
ravelings on the right side. Trim the edges of the patch smooth and
herringbone stitch with ravelings around it.
Finish the edge of the piece with the blanket stitch.
Follow this exercise with the repairing of some article brought from
home that will give a practical experience in cloth darning. Should
there be any difficulty in securing these articles there are plenty of
homes that will supply enough for the entire class. _This must be done
under the teacher's supervision._
EXERCISE NO. 48--TEXTILE FIBERS AND FABRICS--WOOL.
Under the heading "Textile Fibers and Fabrics," page 95, will be found
subject matter which can be used in correlation with the geography,
language and history work. The seventh grade subject is Wool.
[Illustration: A SET OF UNDERWEAR.
EXERCISES 39, 42, 46, AND AN ELECTIVE.]
ELECTIVES.
[34] An exercise in paper and cardboard construction, adapted to the
skill of the class, may be substituted for the Christmas Exercise. See
chapter on "Paper and Cardboard Construction," page 101.
[35] In connection with the study of home furnishing and decoration an
exercise in passepartout or the making of lamp shades would be
excellent.
CHAPTER VII.
DESCRIPTION OF STITCHES.
STITCHES USED IN PLAIN SEWING.
1. Basting.
2. Blind Stitch.
3. Buttonholes.
4. Combination Stitch.
5. Darning.
6. Gathering.
7. Half-back Stitch.
8. Hemming.
9. Overcasting.
10. Overhanding.
11. Running.
12. Slip Stitch.
13. Stitching.
ORNAMENTAL STITCHES.
1. Bands.
2. Blanket Stitch.
3. Chain Stitch.
4. Couching.
5. Feather Stitch.
6. French Knots.
7. Hemstitching.
8. Herringbone Stitch.
9. Kensington Outline.
10. Lazy Daisy or Star Stitch.
MISCELLANEOUS.
1. Bias.
2. Cloth.
3. Eyelets and Loops.
4. Joining and Fastening Threads.
5. Mitered Corner.
6. Patterns.
7. Plackets.
8. Putting in Sleeves.
9. Seams.
A. Bound Seam.
B. Flannel Seam.
C. French Fell.
D. French Seam.
E. Hemmed Seam.
10. Sewing on Buttons.
11. Sewing on Hooks and Eyes.
12. Sewing on Lace.
13. Tucking.
STITCHES USED IN PLAIN SEWING.
=Basting.=--Basting is temporary sewing used to hold the cloth in place
while putting in permanent stitches. As the basting threads are to be
removed, place the knot on the right side. Fasten the threads securely
by taking two or three backstitches. In removing basting threads clip
the threads at short intervals that they may be taken out easily. Much
of the success of the work depends upon careful basting. The extra time
required will be repaid ten-fold. One stitch at a time for beginners,
later two or three stitches may be taken. In basting hems, baste not on
the edge, but very near it. Do not baste on the line where you expect to
stitch, but as near it as possible.
A. An even basting is used on hems, seams of garments, or wherever two
pieces of cloth are to be held firmly together. Take up one-fourth of an
inch and skip one-fourth.
B. Uneven basting is used where very careful basting is unnecessary, as
in the seams of skirts, or in working on a material that clings
together, as a guide for stitching. Take up an eighth of an inch and
skip three-eighths. When only loose basting is required, as when holding
the lining and outside together, a long stitch and two short ones may be
used.
=Blind Stitch.=--The blind stitch and slip stitch are used to fasten a
hem lightly where it is desired to conceal the stitches. To blind stitch
a hem, turn back the edge of the hem to the basting and, holding the
cloth along the edge of the finger, catch first cloth and then hem with
a single stitch that does not show on either side. A slip stitch is a
long stitch on the wrong side and a blind stitch on the hem. It is used
on the milliner's fold.
=Buttonholes.=--A buttonhole is a slit cut and worked to admit a button
for fastening purposes. It is much easier for beginners to commence on
the blind buttonhole. This is made by working around a line instead of
cutting the hole. The stitch, the fan, and the finishing can thus be
learned without the care of the raw edge. The directions for making the
buttonhole are as follows:
[Illustration: STITCHES USED ON PLAIN SEWING.
1--Three styles of basting.
2--The running stitch.
3--The gathering.
4--The backstitch.
5--The half-back stitch.
6--The combination stitch.
7--The overcasting.]
A. PREPARATION OF THE HOLE.
a. _Cutting_--With the buttonhole scissors cut the
hole one-fourth of an inch from the folded edge
and straight with the threads of the cloth.
b. _Stranding_--The strand consists of carrying
the thread along the edge of the buttonhole near
enough to be easily covered by the buttonhole
stitch, for the purpose of adding strength to the
buttonhole. Thread two needles, one with fine
thread or sewing silk and the other with coarser
thread or twist, depending upon the kind of
buttonhole to be made. Place a knot in the coarse
thread or twist, and with the folded edge of the
cloth toward the left hand, bring the needle out
just below the lower right hand end of the
buttonhole, which is the end farthest from the
folded edge. At the other end put the needle into
the cloth just below the end of the cut and bring
it out just above, which will carry the thread
along the edge of the buttonhole. Repeat the same
on the other side bringing the thread out at the
point of starting. Do not cut this thread, as this
is ready to begin the buttonhole stitch after the
overcasting.
c. _Overcasting_--With the fine thread or sewing
silk begin at the lower right-hand end. The object
of the overcasting is to prevent raveling while
working the buttonhole and the fewer stitches
which will accomplish this purpose the better. As
the overcasting must be covered by the buttonhole
stitch do not take over two or three threads deep
and just as few stitches on each side as is
absolutely necessary to prevent the loosening of
the threads. Some materials do not require
overcasting.
B. WORKING THE BUTTONHOLE.
a. _The Stitch_--Determine how deep a stitch is
necessary so that the threads will not pull out,
always keeping in mind that _the shorter the
stitch the better the buttonhole will look_. This
depends upon the kind of material in use. The
first stitch begins one thread beyond the end of
the slit. Holding the buttonhole along the cushion
of the left forefinger with the folded edge of the
cloth toward the left, place the needle into the
slit under the lower edge of the buttonhole and
draw the needle half way through. With the needle
still pointing toward the chest take up the
double thread at the eye of the needle and place
it under the point, passing _from right to left_.
Draw the needle and thread out, and from you, so
that the purl or twist comes to the edge of the
slit. (This makes a firmer edge than when the
thread is carried around the needle from left to
right.) Each stitch is a repetition of the above.
Place the stitches about the width of a thread
apart, as this will avoid a crowded appearance and
makes a firm, hard edge. Do not jerk the thread,
but draw steadily and tight; otherwise the edge
will be rough. Avoid stretching the buttonhole;
the edges should touch when finished.
b. _The Fan_--At the end near the folded edge--the
round end--spread the stitches like the sticks of
a fan, drawing them closer at the top and
spreading at the bottom. Five stitches will work
nicely around the end, the third stitch being
straight with the buttonhole.
C. METHOD OF FINISHING THE BUTTONHOLE.
a. The simplest manner of finishing is as follows:
The buttonhole stitches at this end are at right
angles to the slit, and not rounding as at the
other end. After finishing the last buttonhole
stitch, pass the needle down between the first and
second stitch, and bring it out between the last
and next to the last stitch. Draw the thread tight
so as to bring the edges of the buttonhole
together. Put in several stitches in the same
place. Pass the needle to the under side and
fasten the thread.
[Illustration: METHOD OF BUTTONHOLING.]
b. _The Bar_--The thread being at the top of the
last stitch, pass the needle down between the
first and second stitch and out at the bottom of
the last stitch. Put in three threads across the
width of the buttonhole, bringing the thread out
at the bottom of the last buttonhole stitch. Turn
the cloth so that the thumb covers the thread and
the buttonhole, and work the bar by bringing the
needle out each time over the thread, as in the
blanket stitch. Draw the purl edge toward the
buttonhole. Do not put in too many stitches, as it
makes the loop stand away from the buttonhole.
Near the middle of the bar take one stitch through
the cloth to hold it down.
c. _Caution_--Be sure that the thread is long
enough to work the buttonhole, but not over-long,
as the thread wears and is more liable to break.
Use care and not break the thread, but in case
this happens, take out the last few stitches,
thread the needle on this short end, pass through
the last purl, and fasten the thread on the under
side. With the new thread fasten without a knot on
the wrong side, bring through the last purl at the
edge of the buttonhole and continue.
On cloth that ravels badly put in two parallel
rows of running stitches and then cut the
buttonhole between the rows.
=Combination Stitch.=--The Combination stitch consists of three little
running stitches and a backstitch over the last running stitch. Take
three running stitches on the needle and pull it through. Take up the
last running stitch for the first of the next group of three. It is a
little stronger than the running stitch.
=Darning.=--The object in darning is to repair a rent, if possible so
that it cannot be perceived. The warp and woof threads that have been
worn away are to be rewoven into the cloth. No knots are needed. Leave a
short end of thread to be clipped when the darn is finished.
A. STOCKING DARNING.
Stockings should be darned on the wrong side. A square hole makes a more
symmetrical darn than a round one, and should be used wherever there is
no widening or narrowing in the knitting, as on the leg of a stocking. A
round hole is better for the heel and toe. Cut away the part that is
badly worn. First put in the warp threads, taking care to take up on the
needle all the little loops around the hole and making the darn
symmetrical in shape. Then put in the woof threads, weaving carefully
across the warp over the hole, passing over the threads that were taken
up on the preceding row. _Give special attention to the edge of the
hole, passing first over and then under the edge, that there may be no
ridge._ If the hole is large or stretched out of shape, draw up the
edges by whipping with fine thread. The darning stitches should extend
only as far as the worn part. If the warp threads have strengthened the
worn part sufficiently the woof threads may be extended only far enough
over the edge to fasten securely. In darning a large hole it is
sometimes wise to begin putting in the warp threads at the center first
to prevent stretching. Do not draw the threads too tight, as they will
shrink when washed.
B. CLOTH DARNING.
This may be done with thread, ravelings or hair. In darning with thread
darn on the wrong side, with ravelings or hair on the right. Darn at
right angles to the tear or cut. Continue the darning stitches on each
side of the tear only far enough to strengthen the worn part, usually a
quarter, sometimes an eighth of an inch, is sufficient. Continue the
darn an eighth of an inch beyond the end of the tear. The repairing
shows less if the rows of darning stitches are of unequal length. In
darning take up the threads of cloth passed over in the preceding row,
slipping the needle over one edge of the tear and under the other going
one way and reversing this order going the other way. This makes the
edge smooth and does not throw it up in a ridge. If the material to be
darned is thin or stretches easily, place the rent over a piece of
glazed paper and baste around it before darning. If the cloth is worn
and thin, place a piece of cloth under and darn through the two
thicknesses. Take great care not to stretch the hole or to draw the
threads tight enough to pucker.
=Gathering.=--Gathering is an uneven stitch made by passing over twice
as much as is taken on the needle. When the thread is drawn up this
gives the appearance of fine gathering on the right side and admits of
considerable cloth being gathered into a small space.
Gathering is used in joining a full part to a straight piece, as the
skirt to the band, etc. Gather with a strong single thread a little
longer than than the space to be gathered. _Never use a double thread._
If the thread becomes knotted a new thread must be put in from the
beginning. Hold the cloth, as in the running stitch, with the right
side toward you, using the wrist motion. Make a large knot in the thread
so that it cannot slip through the cloth, and place the knot on the
_wrong_ side. At the end of the gathering slip the needle off and make a
knot in the thread, that it may not pull out.
A. STROKING GATHERS.
For stroking or placing gathers use a coarse needle or a pin. Draw up
the gathering thread just tightly enough so that the pin can be easily
inserted between the gathers and fasten by winding over a pin placed at
right angles to the last stitch. Begin at the left hand, placing the pin
in the fold of the first stitch and stroke gently downward, holding the
pin obliquely. After each successive stroke press the pleat under the
thumb of the left hand. Continue the same with every stitch.
B. SEWING THE GATHERED PART TO THE STRAIGHT PIECE.
Divide both into halves, quarters or eighths, depending upon the length,
and pin the points of division together. Draw up the gathering thread to
the proper length and fasten by winding over a pin. Arrange the gathers
even before basting. Baste just above the gathers, holding the gathered
piece next to you. _Stitch just below the gathering thread._
C. GAUGING.
Gauging or double gathering is done by having a second row of gathering
stitches of equal length and directly below those of the first (so that
when both threads are drawn up the cloth lies in pleats). In heavy
material three or four threads may be put in. Gauging is usually used on
heavy material or on a folded edge that is to be overhanded to a band.
D. GATHERING BY WHIPPING A ROLLED EDGE.
Ruffles of lawn, linen or embroidery are sometimes put upon the edge
instead of into a facing or seam, and when so placed it is desirable to
avoid the raw edge on the under side. Hold the work over the left
forefinger and roll the edge toward you between the thumb and
forefinger. Place the needle under the roll on the right side, passing
out at the top of the roll. Whip about one inch and draw up the thread.
It is necessary to use a strong thread for whipping and gathering the
edge of a ruffle.
=Half-Back Stitch.=--Half-back stitching is similar to the stitching.
The long forward stitch on the under side is three times the length of
the backstitch on the upper side, and a space the length of the
backstitch is left between the stitches. See Stitching, page 63.
=Hemming.=--A hem is a fold made by twice turning over the edge of a
piece of cloth, and then sewing it down. The first fold is most
important; if that is turned even there will be little trouble with the
second. _Trim the edge of the cloth before turning the hem._ It is well
to make and use a gauge of the required width. If a wide hem is turned,
baste along the second fold or bottom of the hem first, and then at the
top. On woolen goods or material that does not crease easily it is
necessary to baste the first fold. Either bury the knot between the
folds of the hem or leave one-half inch of thread and hem over it.
A. HEMMING STITCH.
Hold the hem across the cushion of the left forefinger and point the
needle a little to the left across the middle of the thumb. Take up a
few threads of the cloth and a few threads of the fold and draw the
needle through. Take care that the stitches are regular, of equal length
and of equal distance apart. _Do not confuse the hemming stitch with the
blind stitch, or the damask hem._ Join the threads by leaving a
half-inch of the old thread and a half-inch of the new to be tucked
under the edge of the hem and be hemmed over.
Teachers will find the following suggestions helpful in teaching the
hemming stitch:
Put the needle in _almost_ straight with the hem, not at right angles to
it. Take up as little cloth on the needle as possible; bring the needle
directly through the hem, making one stitch of it instead of dividing
the stitch as in the blind stitch. Crowd the point of the needle under
the edge of the hem. Do not insert the needle a distance from the hem,
trusting to puckering it up.
B. DAMASK HEM.
Damask is a heavy fabric woven of heavy threads of one color in which
the pattern is brought out by a change in the direction of the threads,
and when new is stiff with much dressing. From the very nature of the
cloth it is impossible to hem well with the flat hem. The two folds of
the hem are turned the desired width and the hem is then turned back
flat to the cloth and creased. The edge of the hem and the crease thus
formed are overhanded together with fine even stitches. When laundered
this irons perfectly smooth and the stitches do not show on the right
side. Do not confuse this method of hemming with the flat hem, as each
has its own use.
=Overcasting.=--Overcasting is done by taking loose stitches over the
raw edge of cloth from right to left to keep it from raveling. The depth
of the stitch depends upon the material to be overcast, usually an
eighth of an inch is sufficient. The stitches should be twice as far
apart as they are deep. The needle is inserted from the under side of
the cloth and points a little to the left, making a slanting stitch.
Keep the spaces even and the stitches of equal length. _Always trim the
edges before overcasting._ Do not overcast a selvedge edge. Take only
one stitch at a time and be careful not to draw the edge of the cloth.
=Overhanding.=--Overhanding is done by sewing closely over two edges of
cloth from right to left. The cloth may have a folded or selvedge edge.
Careful basting is necessary to good overhanding. The needle is placed
at a right angle to the seam and should point to the chest. No knot is
used; a short end of the thread is left and overhanded under. Hold the
work horizontally along the edge of the cushion of the left forefinger
and the thumb. Do not wind the cloth over the end of the finger. The
stitches are straight on the under side and slanting on the top. Do not
draw the threads tight enough to make a hard seam and also avoid a loose
stitch that will not hold the edges together when the seam is opened. A
deep stitch is not necessary for strength and will not look well on the
right side when opened. To join the threads leave a half-inch of the old
and a half-inch of the new, lay them along the edge and overhand over
them.
=Running.=--Running is done by taking up and slipping over an equal
amount of cloth.
Running is used for seams that do not require great strength, and also
for tucking. Care should be taken not to draw the thread tight enough
to pucker. Make a small knot in the thread and conceal it on the wrong
side or in the folds of the cloth. Hold the work in the left hand
between the thumb and cushion of the forefinger; hold the needle in the
work between the thumb and forefinger of the right hand. Use the wrist
motion.
Fasten the thread by passing the needle through to the wrong side and
taking two backstitches.
=Slip Stitch.=--See Blind Stitch, page 63.
=Stitching.=--Stitching is so called because it resembles machine
stitching. It is also known as backstitching. Stitching is done by
taking a stitch backward on the upper side of the cloth and a long
stitch forward on the underside, making the stitches meet on the top as
in machine stitching. Use a small knot in beginning. Hold the work over
the cushion of the left forefinger.
Fasten the threads on the wrong side by taking several backstitches, one
over the other, through one thickness of the cloth. To join threads in
stitching fasten securely on the wrong side and begin with a small knot,
bringing the thread through at the proper place for beginning the new
stitch. It is used where strength is required, or on garments too small
to go into a machine conveniently.
ORNAMENTAL STITCHES.
=Applique.=--This is an ornamentation produced by cutting a design from
one kind or color of cloth and placing it upon another. Very beautiful
effects can be obtained, with perfect harmony of color and the proper
combinations of textiles. The edge can be finished with the blanket,
couching, Kensington or chain stitch.
=Blanket Stitch.=--The blanket stitch, often erroneously called the
buttonhole stitch, is used for finishing raw edges. It is worked from
_left to right_, and the buttonhole stitch from _right to left_. The
depth of the stitch and the space between stitches may be varied and
will depend upon its use. If the thread is not fastened and joined
carefully the symmetry of the stitches will be broken. A new thread must
come up through the loop of the last stitch.
A. TO FINISH THE EDGE OF FLANNEL OR HEAVY CLOTH:
Insert the needle at a point the desired depth of the blanket stitch and
take one or two running stitches to the edge of the cloth, which will
bring the thread in position for the first stitch. Make the first
blanket stitch over these running stitches. Holding the edge of the
cloth toward you insert the needle at the same point as before and bring
the needle out over the thread and draw the loop thus made to the edge
of the cloth. Repeat for successive stitches. For a simple finish for a
flannel edge the stitches should not be placed too close together. As
far apart as the depth of the stitch is a good rule, unless greater
ornamentation is desired, when three, five or seven stitches may radiate
from one point.
B. FOR EMBROIDERING AN EDGE--STRAIGHT, SCALLOPED OR IRREGULAR.
[Illustration: ORNAMENTAL STITCHES.
1--The chain stitch.
2--The Kensington stitch.
3--Two styles of feather stitching.
4--The herringbone stitch.
5--Three styles of blanket stitch.]
The stitches are the same as in "A" but should be placed close enough
together so that the threads touch, making a firm edge. The embroidery
should be done before the edge is cut. It can then be finished in
various ways. The narrow edge can be turned back and whipped down on the
wrong side, or blanket stitched just over the edge with fine cotton
thread. On lingerie pieces the edge is not cut until after the first
laundering. If desired the edge can be padded before working with the
blanket stitch. The padding is done with a soft, coarse thread by
working along the edge with either the Kensington or chain stitch, or it
may be heavily "padded" by filling the space.
C. The blanket stitch is also used for working the loop and the
buttonhole bar.
D. See Couching, below.
E. See Lazy Daisy or Star Stitch, page 78.
=Chain Stitch.=--The chain stitch is used for outlining a design,
marking garments, etc. Insert the needle on the line and draw the thread
through to the knot. Insert again at the same point and take up on the
needle cloth for the desired length of stitch and draw the needle out
_over_ the thread. In placing the needle for succeeding stitches begin
inside the preceding stitch. The Half-Chain Stitch is very effective for
stems of flowers, or wherever a fine outline stitch can be used. This is
made the same as the chain stitch, except that the needle is inserted
just outside and to the right of the loop instead of in the end of the
loop.
=Couching.=--Couching is a coarse blanket stitch done over two or three
strands of silk, linen or cotton floss. It makes an attractive finish
for a hem line and also for finishing the edge in applique.
=Feather Stitch.=--The principal use of the feather stitch being that of
ornamentation requires that it shall be evenly and carefully done, or it
fails in its purpose. The feather stitch consists of alternating
stitches, or groups of stitches, slanting toward a center line. The
stitch may be varied greatly by the length of the stitch, the slant of
the stitch, and the number of stitches on each side. The tendency is to
gradually increase the length of the stitch which must be carefully
avoided, as well as a change in the slant. Do not make too long a
stitch, as there is danger of catching and breaking the thread. The
feather stitch can be used very effectively in scroll designs for the
ornamentation of sofa pillows, cushion covers, collars, underwear, etc.
A. SINGLE FEATHER STITCHING.
Work toward you, holding the cloth over the left forefinger. With a knot
in the thread insert the needle from the under side a short distance to
the right or left of the line the feather stitching is to follow (which
may be designated the center line) and draw the thread through. Place
the left thumb over the thread to hold it down, and on the opposite side
take up a slanting stitch, the top of which is as far from the center
line as the length of the stitch, and the bottom touching the center
line. Draw the needle out over the thread which will thus form a loop of
the thread from the first stitch. On the opposite side take up another
slanting stitch the top of which is an equal distance from the center
line and even with the bottom of the last stitch. Repeat for successive
stitches. At the end of a thread fasten by passing the needle down where
the thread last came through the cloth, thus holding the loop from the
last stitch in place. Begin a new thread by passing the needle up
through this loop.
B. DOUBLE FEATHER STITCHING.
This consists of alternating groups of two, three or more stitches
instead of single stitches. The successive stitches of each group must
be placed directly under the first stitch of the group.
=French Knot.=--Bring the needle through from the under side. With the
needle in the right hand, take hold of the thread with the left hand
about an inch from the cloth and, holding it taut, wind it several times
around the point of the needle. Return the needle to the same hole
through which it came out, and draw it back to the under side.
=Hemstitching.=--Hemstitching is a method of hemming in which a few
parallel threads are drawn, the hem turned to the line thus formed, and
hemmed down with the same stitch that separates the cross threads in
successive clusters. There are several modifications of the hemstitch.
The following methods have been selected as being the best for four
reasons: (1) The thread is thrown under the edge of the hem, and
consequently wears longer and shows less. (2) The only part of the
thread showing on the right side is the loop around the cross threads.
(3) It is readily taught to children, as it is simple, easy to remember,
and can be given as two distinct parts. (4) It is the natural way to
hold the hem.
a. _Drawing the threads_--Measuring from the edge
of the cloth, allow twice the width of the desired
hem when finished, plus the first fold, and draw
several threads, the exact number depending upon
the texture of the fabric. Draw the first thread
the entire length before starting the second, as
it is liable to break where the first one did. The
first thread being drawn, the second will come
more readily. Beginners are inclined to draw too
many threads. Unless both edges are to be
hemstitched the opening should be narrow enough so
that the threads at the top will not loosen.
b. _The Hem_--Turn the first fold of the hem and
baste to the exact line of the opening. Careful
basting is indispensable to good hemstitching, and
especially so at a corner where two hems cross.
Miter all corners of hems that are more than
one-fourth of an inch in width.
c. _The Stitch_--Hold the cloth over the left
forefinger as in ordinary hemming. Bury the knot
by inserting the needle under the edge of the hem
and drawing it through. The stitch consists of two
distinct parts, (1) forming the loop around the
cross threads, and (2) catching down to the edge
of the hem:
(1) Pointing the needle toward you and holding the
thread under the left thumb, take up on the needle
three or four of the cross threads. Draw the
needle out over the thread, thus forming the loop,
and tight enough to separate the cross threads.
(2) Insert the needle under the edge of the _hem_
only and take an ordinary hemming stitch. Repeat 1
and 2 for the next stitch.
=Herringbone Stitch.=--The herringbone or catch stitch is a cross stitch
used to finish the raw edges of flannel or heavy material. It serves
both the purpose of overcasting over a raw edge and that of hemming. It
is used on raw edged hems to avoid the ridge formed by the first fold of
a hem, on the flannel patch and for finishing the flannel seam, which
may be pressed open and both single edges herringbone stitched, or both
folded to one side and finished over the double edge. In most cases the
open seam looks better.
The stitch consists of single, alternating running stitches made first
to the right and then to the left, working from you instead of toward
you as in ordinary running. The thread being carried across from one
stitch to another, gives the appearance of a cross stitch. The stitches
on each side must be in straight rows, with the outer row just over the
edge of the flannel. The stitch should be no deeper than necessary to
prevent pulling out. A good rule for beginners is to make the top of
each stitch even with the bottom of the last stitch. _Point the needle
toward you in making the stitch, but work away from you._ The edge of
the flannel must be kept smooth. This being a cross stitch the thread of
one part of the stitch is on top and the other underneath. Be sure that
this is regular, those slanting in the same direction should be always
either to the top or to the bottom.
=Kensington Outline Stitch.=--This stitch is used to follow the line of
a design for ornamentation. To avoid the knot, when starting begin half
an inch from the end of the line to be followed, and put in three or
four running stitches, bringing the thread out at the proper place for
starting. Turn the cloth around, holding it over the left forefinger,
and work from you. Pointing the needle toward you, take a short running
stitch directly on the line keeping the thread always on the right side
of the needle, except on a line curving sharply to the left when the
thread will fall more naturally to the left side. The thread being
carried from one stitch to another gives the effect of a long diagonal
stitch on the right side and running stitches on the wrong. The length
of the stitch will be determined by the size of the thread, and the
character of the line to be covered, a curved line requiring a shorter
stitch than a straight one.
=Lazy Daisy or Star Stitch.=--This is a variation of the blanket stitch.
Insert the needle at the point desired for the center of the flower and
draw the thread through. Insert again at the same place and take up the
desired length of stitch on the needle, drawing the needle out over the
thread. Pass the needle down through the cloth at the point where it
came out, but on the other side of the loop, thus forming a second loop
at the end of the petal to hold it in place, and return the needle again
to the center of the flower. Make as many petals as desired and finish
with the French knot in the center of the flower. This stitch also makes
a pretty star, using six points and finishing without the French knot.
MISCELLANEOUS.
=Bands=.--A band is a straight piece of cloth used to finish garments at
the neck, wrist or waist. It may be sewed to a straight, gathered or
pleated edge. A band cut with the warp is stronger than one cut with the
woof.
A. HEMMED BAND.
See description of the Gathering, page 68. Gather as desired. Place the
right sides of the cloth and band together and baste just above the
gathering thread, taking care that the gathers are arranged perfectly
even. Stitch just below the gathering thread. Turn in a fourth of an
inch at the ends and along the other side of the band. Fold the band
over just covering the gathers, and baste. Hem or stitch along the edge,
overhanding the ends of the band.
B. OVERHAND BAND.
See description of Gauging, page 69. Make the band by turning in
one-fourth of an inch all around, folding and basting the edges
together. Overhand the ends of the band. The whipping of the full part
to the band will be sufficient to hold the two sides of the band
together. Turn back the raw edges of the piece to be gathered one-half
inch and gather once, twice or three times as desired. Pin to the band
and overhand, taking a stitch for each pleat of the gathers. Fasten all
bands very securely.
=Bias.=--A bias is a diagonal cut. To cut a true bias, fold over the
corner of the cloth so that the warp and woof threads are parallel. A
choice bias is a true bias, having the twill of the cloth at right
angles to the cut. Great care should be taken in measuring and cutting
bias strips to have them the same width throughout the length. Also
avoid stretching after cutting.
a. To cut a bias facing, bias binding or fold,
measure in the desired width on the true bias at a
number of points. Draw a line, crease in a fold or
baste where the facing is to be cut off.
b. To put on a bias facing, place the edge of the
strip, right sides together, even with the edge of
the cloth to be faced, baste and stitch. Turn the
facing back _exactly_ in the seam and baste along
the edge so that the facing will not show on the
right side. Turn the fold at the top, baste and
hem.
A bias facing for a curve should be cut narrow
enough so that by stretching one edge of the
facing it will lie perfectly smooth when finished.
c. To join two bias strips--Cut the ends to be
joined straight with the threads of the cloth and
place the right sides together, slipping the top
piece past the under piece the width of a seam,
but having the top edges even. Stitch where the
facings cross, open the seam and crease; or, after
trimming, a seam may be turned back at the end of
each piece and the folded edges overhanded
together.
=Cloth.=--A fabric woven of fibers, either animal or vegetable. The
edges of cloth are known as the selvedge, the threads running lengthwise
the warp, and those crossing the warp from selvedge to selvedge the
woof. The selvedge should be trimmed off, as it is hard to sew through
and draws up when wet.
=Eyelets and Loops.=--An eyelet is a small hole made and worked in a
garment to receive a cord, stud or loop of a button. Punch the hole with
a stiletto, pushing the threads apart rather than breaking them.
Overhand closely from right to left with short even stitches. A large
eyelet may be cut out and worked around with the buttonhole stitch. A
blind loop is made in place of the eye to receive a hook. Put three or
four long stitches in the same place beginning at the left, so that the
thread will be at the proper place for working the loop with the blanket
stitch.
=Joining and Fastening Thread.=--When sewing, care should be taken in
joining threads. The manner in which it is done depends upon the stitch
in use. In hemming, leave a half-inch of the old and a half-inch of the
new thread, tuck both under the hem and continue hemming over the
threads. The same plan is followed in overhanding. In the blanket
stitch, feather stitch, herringbone, chain and buttonhole stitch the new
thread must come out through the last stitch. Thoughtful attention
should be given to the fastening of threads, as careful, painstaking
work may soon be rendered useless by the loosening of the thread from
the end. After fastening securely clip off all threads that the work
may be not only strong, but neat. The usual fastening consists of
several backstitches taken in the same place.
=Mitered Corner.=--Two hems crossing at right angles may be finished
either with the square or the mitered corner. To miter a corner, turn
and crease a quarter-inch fold on both sides. Turn the second fold of
the hem the desired width on both sides and crease. Open out the corner
and place a dot where the inner creases cross. Place a second dot a
quarter of an inch from the first toward the corner. Through this second
point draw a line passing from side to side, across the corner, being
careful that the line is an equal distance from the corner on both
sides. Cut off the corner on this line. Fold both hems again on the
creases before made and pin the hem on one side in place. Make a pin
hole as near the exact point where the hems cross as possible, passing
through both hems. Fold in the bias edge on the hem that is not pinned
down, _exactly from the pin hole to the corner_, causing the edges of
the two hems to meet at an angle of forty-five degrees.
=Patterns.=--With the varied, complex and ever-changing styles of
fashion, individual pattern drafting (except for a very simple article)
is impracticable, usually resulting in commonplace garments and
involving useless time and labor. For the trifling sum of ten or fifteen
cents reliable, up-to-date patterns can be secured which are cut to
established measurements by a fashion expert. A good needlewoman
supplies herself with a good pattern and then cuts accurately, bastes
carefully, and finishes neatly, and in nearly all cases, results will be
satisfactory.
=Plackets.=--A placket is an opening made in a garment. There are
several ways of finishing an opening, but in all cases, except when the
gusset is used, the underside should extend some distance under the top
to prevent gaping.
A. A PLACKET WITH A CONTINUOUS BINDING.
This is the placket used on children's drawers, night shirts, under
garments, etc.
Cut the opening the desired length. Cut the facing with the warp a
little more than twice the length of the opening and twice the desired
width when finished, plus one-fourth inch, or more, allowed for seams.
The following are the successive steps for making the placket:
a. Fold the cloth, right sides together, in a line
with the opening.
b. Double the facing across the warp, through the
center, wrong sides together.
c. Slip this between the folds of the cloth so
that the fold of the facing will just come to the
end of the opening. This will bring the right side
of facing to the right side of the cloth.
d. Baste the facing to the cloth down one side and
up the other side of the opening.
e. Stitch with an eighth of an inch seam, which
will render unavoidable a small pleat at the end
of the opening the width of the seam.
f. Crease the facing back over the opening exactly
in the seam.
g. Turn an eighth of an inch fold the length of
the facing down the other side.
h. Fold this over the seam to the stitching,
baste, and hem.
i. At the top of the opening fold the right-hand
facing back and stitch along the edge to hold in
place.
B. A PLACKET WITH AN EXTENSION HEM ON ONE SIDE AND A FLAT FACING ON THE
OTHER.
This is the placket used on dress skirts, petticoats and carefully
tailored garments.
Follow the directions for the successive steps for making Placket A
through "g," as the two plackets are the same to this point.
The left side of the facing will consist of an extension hem the same as
in Placket A, the only difference in the plackets being the manner of
finishing the right side or top facing.
h. After turning the fold the length of the
facing, place the edge of this fold to the
stitching on the other side of the seam, and
crease the facing through the center the long way,
as in Placket A.
i. As the right side is to be hemmed down as a
facing, it is desirable to cut out one thickness
of the cloth, leaving, of course, the quarter-inch
inside the long crease, and also at the cross
fold, at the end of the opening as the first fold
on the facing.
j. Baste this facing flat to the cloth, and hem.
k. Stitch once across the _top facing only_, just
at the bottom end of the opening.
C. A FINISH FOR A SHIRT SLEEVE OR NIGHTGOWN OPENING.
As this consists of an extra piece which extends over the opening, it is
necessary to allow for this in cutting, so that the middle of this piece
will come in the center when finished. When cutting this opening in a
nightgown, cut to the right of the center one-half the width the facing
is to be when finished. The following are the successive steps for
making the nightgown opening:
a. Cut the opening the desired length. Cut the
facing in two pieces, one a little more than twice
the length of the opening, and the other the
length of the opening plus the width of the
facing, both pieces to be the desired width plus
the allowance for seams. (These two pieces will be
designated the long and the short facings.)
b. Place the short facing to the right-hand side
of the opening, right sides of cloth together and
even at the top. Pin in place.
c. Place the long facing to the back of this same
side with the right side of facing to the wrong
side of the cloth, thus having the three
thicknesses of cloth together. Pin in place and
baste a quarter of an inch from the edge. Stitch
an eighth of an inch seam.
d. The long facing is a continuous facing, the
same as in Plackets A and B. Baste up the other
side and stitch, the seam being on the right side
of the cloth.
e. Crease both facings open in the seams. Turn in
a fold on the other side of the short facing and
turn the end to a square point.
f. Turn a fold the length of the long facing so
that it matches the width of the short piece.
g. Baste the two facings together and the flat
facing to the cloth.
h. Stitch around the short facing and twice across
it at the end of the opening. Stitch or hem the
under side of the flat facing.
D. THE GUSSET.
This method of finishing an opening is sometimes used on drawers and
night-shirts instead of Placket A. The following are the successive
steps for making the gusset:
a. Cut the opening the desired length.
b. Hem both sides with a very narrow hem running
to a point at the end of the opening.
c. Cut a piece of cloth one and one-half inches
square. On this square fold down one corner
three-fourths of an inch on the sides and cut it
off. Turn a fold one-eighth of an inch all around
this piece. Place the corner which is opposite the
diagonal cut to the middle of this cut and crease.
d. To sew the gusset in, place the apex of the
triangle to the end of the opening and overhand on
the wrong side to the crease before made.
e. Fold over the remaining part to the wrong side,
baste and hem. Stitch along the fold of the gusset
to strengthen it.
[Illustration: FORMATION OF GUSSET.]
=Putting in Sleeves.=--After trimming the arm hole, measure one inch
back from the shoulder seam and mark with a pin. Fold the garment at the
arm hole with this pin at the top of the fold and place another directly
opposite it. Call this point A. Remove the first pin to avoid confusion.
For a sleeve for an adult, measure from the shoulder seam five inches on
the front and mark with a pin. Call this point B. Measure from the
shoulder seam three inches on the back and mark with a pin. Call this
point C. With the sleeve right side out place the under seam of the
sleeve at A and pin together at this point. The gathers are to come at
the top of the sleeve between B and C. For misses and children the
measurements should be decreased proportionately. Measure the sleeve on
the arm-hole and cut small notches at B and C. Gather the sleeve between
these notches one-fourth of an inch from the edge, with a strong thread
a little longer than the distance to be gathered. Put in a second
gathering one-eighth of an inch from the first. Put in place at points A
B and C; draw up the gathering threads to the proper length and fasten
by winding around a pin. Arrange the gathers between B and C, pushing
them a little closer together in front of the shoulder seam. Hold the
inside of the sleeve next to you and, beginning at B, baste first around
the plain part, then the gathered part. Stitch inside the basting and
bind the seam.
=Seams.=--A seam is formed by sewing together two pieces of cloth. There
are several different methods of joining them. Those known as the raw
seams may be joined by stitching, half-back stitching, overhanding or
the combination stitch. The closed or finished seams are known as the
French Fell, French Seam, Hemmed Seam, Flannel Seam and the Bound Seam.
No garment should be finished with a raw seam, which is only properly
used when covered with a lining, or as the first step in one of the
finished seams.
A. FRENCH FELL.
Place the two pieces to be joined, right sides together, edges even and
baste one-fourth of an inch from the edge. Sew with the combination
stitch (or machine stitching) three-eighths of an inch from the edge.
Trim three-sixteenths of an inch from the _under_ side of the seam and
crease the _upper_ side of the seam over this. (In hand sewing there is
a long stitch on the under side. Be sure to trim from this side so that
the short stitch comes on the top.) On the right side of the garment
crease carefully and baste along the edge of the seam to prevent the
fullness which beginners are so liable to have over the French Fell on
the right side. Turn to the wrong side, baste the seam flat to the
cloth, and hem.
B. FRENCH SEAM.
Place together the wrong sides of the pieces to be joined, and baste
one-fourth of an inch from the edge. With the running stitch sew
one-eighth of an inch from the edge. Carefully trim off the ravelings,
fold the right sides together and crease exactly in the seam, baste and
stitch the seam, taking care that no ravelings can be seen and that the
seam is perfectly smooth on the right side.
C. HEMMED SEAM:
This is used for joining thin material, lace, etc. On one piece fold an
eighth of an inch seam (or more, if necessary) to the right side of the
cloth, and on the other piece fold an eighth of an inch seam to the
wrong side. Place the right sides of the two pieces together with the
raw edge of one piece under and to the folded edge of the other. Baste
this fold down over the raw edge sewing through the three thicknesses of
cloth. Fold over in the crease and baste through the four thicknesses.
Stitch, or hem by hand, along the edge of the seam on both sides of the
cloth.
D. FLANNEL SEAM:
The flannel seam is used on material so thick that it is necessary to
finish over a raw edge, instead of with a seam involving several
thicknesses of cloth. Place together the right sides of the two pieces
to be joined and baste one-eighth of an inch from the edge. Stitch
one-fourth of an inch from the edge and remove the bastings. Trim the
seams smooth, open and baste flat to the cloth. Herringbone stitch over
the raw edge of both sides of the seam. One side of the herringbone
stitch should come just over the raw edge of the flannel. The edges must
be kept smooth, and unless the flannel ravels easily, the herringbone
stitch should be not over one-eighth of an inch deep and close together.
This stitch is used also on the flannel patch.
E. BOUND SEAM:
Seams may be bound with the two parts of the seam together, or they may
be pressed open and bound separately. This may be done with a bias
strip, binding ribbon or tape.
a. _Binding the entire seam_--Place together the
two right sides of the pieces to be joined and
baste one-eighth of an inch from the edge. Place
the bias binding (three-fourths of an inch wide)
with the wrong side of the cloth up and the edge
of the binding one-eighth of an inch from the edge
of the seam, and baste in place. Stitch through
the three thicknesses of cloth a quarter of an
inch from the edge. Turn in one-eighth of an inch
on the other side of the binding and hem it down
just above the stitching on the other side of the
seam. This method of binding is used on the
arm-holes of garments or wherever it is not
feasible to open the seam and bind separately.
b. _The Open Bound Seam_--Prepare the seam as
above without the bias binding. Trim and press the
seam open. Double the binding ribbon through the
center and crease. Place the raw edge of the seam
to the fold of the ribbon and run along the edge,
catching through to the under fold. Tape may be
used for binding, but must be basted on first and
hemmed down.
=Sewing on Buttons.=--There are two important requirements for sewing on
buttons--to put in sufficient thread, and to fasten this thread securely
that it may not loosen from the end. In sewing flat buttons on coats,
jackets, etc., place a small button on the under side and sew through it
to avoid having the stitches show on the under side.
a. _The Loop or Shank Button_--Place the button in
position with the loop at right angles to the edge
of the cloth. Hold the button with the left hand
and overhand the loop to the cloth. Pass the
thread to the under side and fasten.
b. _Four-Hole Button_--In sewing on flat buttons
insert the needle from the right side and back in
order to hide the knot under the button. Place the
button in position and hold a pin across the
button for the purpose of lengthening the
stitches. Put in five or six stitches diagonally
across the button and over the pin. Change the
position of the pin and repeat. Slip the pin out,
pass the needle through the cloth only, and wind
the thread around the threads between the button
and the cloth. Pass the needle through the cloth
and fasten securely.
c. _Two-Hole Button_--Place the button so that the
stitches will come at right angles to the edge of
the cloth, with the pin across the button. Proceed
as with the four-hole button.
=Sewing on Hooks and Eyes.=--In sewing hooks and eyes on a garment it is
best, where practicable, to cover the ends with the lining of the
garment or with a piece of tape. In sewing them on the edge of a hem or
facing turn the edge of the hem back over the ends of the hooks and eyes
and hem it down. Where they are to be covered they should be strongly
overhanded to the garment first. When covering is not feasible place the
hook or eye in position and buttonhole around the top, beginning at the
right-hand side and inserting the needle under and up through the hole,
throwing the thread around the needle as in the buttonhole stitch. The
hook should be sewed down at the point before breaking the thread. The
worked loop is often used in place of the metal eye. For this purpose
cut a stiff pointed piece of cardboard the length of the desired loop
and work the loop over this, when the cardboard can be easily slipped
out. The loop is worked from left to right with the blanket stitch the
same as the bar of the buttonhole.
=Sewing on Lace.=--When sewing lace to an edge always hold the lace next
to you. Lace may be put on straight or gathered. At the top of most
laces will be found a coarse thread woven into the lace for the purpose
of gathering. Before drawing this up divide the lace and the edge upon
which it is to be placed into halves, quarters or eighths, depending
upon the length, and pin, with right sides together, at points of
division. Then draw up the thread, arrange the gathers even, and
overhand to the edge with fine even stitches. If the gathering thread is
not in the lace, put it in and proceed as above. If the lace is to be
put on plain hold it loosely to the edge and overhand.
A. SEWING LACE AROUND A CORNER:
When sewing the lace on plain to round a corner, overhand to a point as
far from the corner as the width of the lace. (This point may be
designated A, and a point an equal distance from the corner on the other
side B.) From A measure on the lace twice its width and pin at the
corner. Allow the same fullness on the other side and pin at B. Continue
overhanding from B, leaving the corner until later, when the gathering
thread will be put in, gathers arranged and the lace overhanded to the
edge. If the lace is wide baste it in place at the corners before
overhanding.
When sewing gathered lace to an edge, to round a corner proceed as above
with this exception: The same fullness must be allowed on the corner
that is allowed on the straight edge, in addition to that required to
carry the lace around the corner without drawing. For example: If
one-half the length of the lace is allowed for fullness on the straight
edge, at the corner allow two and one-half times the width of the lace
instead of twice its width.
B. SEWING TWO ENDS OF LACE TOGETHER:
The manner of sewing two ends of lace together will depend upon the kind
of lace to be joined, the pattern, strength, etc. The first aim to be
considered is to have the joining strong enough so that it will not pull
apart. The second is to join it so that it will show as little as
possible. Several methods are suggested:
a. Lace made up of units can be easily joined by
overhanding these units together.
b. If the pattern permits, cut the lace with the
pattern, lay one edge over the other and
buttonhole over each raw edge with fine thread.
c. Sew the lace right sides together, in a narrow
seam. Lay the seam flat and buttonhole over the
raw edge and at the same time down to the lace.
d. Turn a narrow fold on one piece to the right
side and on the other piece to the wrong side,
slip one under the other and hem down the two
edges as in the hemmed seam.
=Tucking.=--Crease the first tuck where desired. For the second tuck
measure from the first and allow twice the width of the tuck plus the
desired space between. Repeat for the successive tucks.
PUTTING A RUFFLE INTO A HEM-TUCK.
This makes an excellent finish for the bottom of underskirts, petticoats
and drawers. Measure up from the bottom twice the width of the desired
hem plus one-fourth of an inch for the seam and crease for a tuck.
Stitch the tuck. This will leave the raw edge extending one-fourth of an
inch below the edge of the tuck. Place the ruffle along this edge, wrong
sides together, and baste in a quarter-inch seam. Baste the tuck over
the seam and stitch along the edge.
CHAPTER VIII.
TEXTILE FIBERS AND FABRICS.
The fibers used in the manufacture of cloth are of two different
natures, vegetable and animal.
The vegetable fibers may be divided into three distinct classes:
1. The cotton, having soft, lint-like fibers,
one-half to two inches in length, is obtained from
the seed-pods, called "bolls."
2. The fibers from flax, hemp and jute are
flexible and of soft texture, ten to one hundred
inches in length.
3. The hard or leaf fibers, including manila,
sisal, istle and the New Zealand fibers, all
having rather stiff woody fibers, one to ten feet
long, are obtained from the leaf or the leaf stem.
The animal fibers are obtained from the wool bearing animals such as
common sheep, Angora and Cashmere goats and the hair of the camel.
The silk fiber is obtained from the cocoon of a caterpillar.
SILK.
Silk is the most beautiful of all fabrics. It is made from the fiber
produced by the silk-worm which is a species of caterpillar. So
perfectly does this little worm do its work that no spinning is
required. This fiber, placed under a microscope, looks like a glass
thread. It is the light playing along this smooth surface that gives to
silk its beautiful luster.
Silk first came to Europe from China where the industry had been
cultivated for many centuries. It is said this was begun by a woman, the
wife of an Emperor, in the year 2600 B. C., and the culture of the
mulberry, upon the leaves of which the silk-worm feeds and thrives,
forty years later.
Several unsuccessful attempts have been made to introduce the
cultivation of the silk industry into the United States. As the business
requires a large amount of cheap labor for a short time during the
year, it has not as yet been found profitable. Machines are of little
use, except in reeling the silk.
The moth lays its eggs, about five hundred in number, in August or
September, and they hatch the following May, just at the time the
mulberry comes into leaf. These little caterpillars are hatched and fed
in-doors, and they eat like hungry school-boys for a month or more,
until they are about three inches long. At this period they sicken and
cast their skins, after which they begin eating as eagerly as ever. In
about a month, however, the worms stop eating altogether, crawl up on
the twigs which are placed on large trays, and begin to spin their
cocoons. There are two little openings in the head of the worm, from
which comes two thread-like substances resembling glue, from which the
silk is made. These stick close together and form a flat thread. The
silk-worm by moving its head about, wraps this thread around its body,
wrapping from the outside inward, until it has completely inclosed
itself in this silken blanket. Then it goes to sleep. If left to itself
it would in two or three weeks bore its way out of this silky covering
and come forth a feeble white moth. But as the cutting of this hole in
the cocoon injures the fibers, only just enough for the next year's crop
are allowed to come out. The rest are stifled in a hot oven.
After the outsides of the cocoons are removed they are placed in hot
water which softens the gum that is in the silk so that it can be wound
off on reels. The silk fiber is all in one piece, and about one thousand
feet long. There is always a portion of the cocoon which is too tangled
to be wound, and it is made into what is called spun silk. Spun silk is
carded like wool. The removal of the natural gum, by boiling in strong
soap suds, effects a considerable loss in weight, the cleansing process,
however, causing it to take on very beautiful tints. This loss has led
to the weighting of silk by mixing cheaper materials with it.
An artificial silk is made from the fiber of the ramie plant which grows
in China and Malay. This is sometimes known as China silk. Mercerized
cotton has also been treated so as to very successfully imitate silk.
COTTON.
=The Plant.=--Cotton is one of the most important vegetable fibers,
distinguished from all other fibers by the peculiar twist it possesses
which makes it especially adapted to spinning. It is cultivated between
the twentieth and thirty-fifth parallels north of the equator. This is
known as the cotton belt. Within this belt lie the cotton districts of
the United States, Northern Mexico, Egypt, Northern Africa, Asia and
India.
Although cotton is cultivated mainly for the fiber surrounding the
seeds, its by-products, the seeds and stalks, are of great commercial
importance, being manufactured into oil-meal, oil cakes, cottolene, etc.
There are about fifty species of the cotton plant but only a few are
cultivated, the best known and most commonly used being the "American
Upland," which is now cultivated in many parts of the world. The two
varieties grown in the United States are the "Sea Island" and the
"Upland." The former is much more valuable because its fiber is longer.
It is cultivated on the islands and low-lying coasts of South Carolina,
Georgia and Florida. The latter, while not so valuable, furnishes most
of the crop and is grown over a wide area.
The plant grows from seven to ten feet high. The leaves are sprinkled
with small black dots. The hollyhock-like flowers are white and yellow
when they first open, but two days later they turn a dull red.
Surrounding the flowers are three or four cup-shaped green leaves which
together are called squares. These remain after the petals have dropped,
to serve as a protection to the bolls.
Cotton thrives best in a rich, deep soil with a hot, steamy atmosphere.
It should have plenty of moisture while growing and a dryer period
during the ripening and gathering of the crop. The most of the cotton
crop is planted by the twentieth of May. Six weeks after it begins
blossoming the first bolls are ready for picking. This is done by hand,
and as the bolls do not all ripen at the same time, it is necessary to
go over the field many times, and the picking often lasts until the
middle of December. The cotton is gathered into baskets hung from the
shoulders of the pickers.
=The Preparation of the Fiber.=--After the cotton is picked it is taken
to the gin which separates the fiber from the seed. Until the cotton
gin was invented in 1793, by a Connecticut teacher, then living in
Georgia, the cultivation of cotton was not profitable, as one person
could only clear the seeds from five or six pounds a day. This machine
has revolving teeth which drag the cotton between parallel wires,
leaving the seeds behind. With this machine a slave could clean about a
thousand pounds in a day. This gave a wonderful impetus to the cotton
industry, and its cultivation increased enormously.
After the seeds are removed the cotton is put up into bales weighing
about five hundred pounds each, and is then ready for shipping. When
these bales are received at the factory the cotton is so closely matted
together that it must be broken up or loosened. This is done in the
blending room where it is first run through heavily weighted and spiked
rollers which pull the cotton apart. It is then blended or mixed to make
it of uniform quality. After this it is taken to the carding room. Here
the fibers are drawn parallel to one another and bits of leaves and
unripe fibers removed, when it is put through the drawing frame,
consisting of a pair of rollers. These parallel, untwisted fibers are
now called "slivers." From the drawing frame these "slivers" go to the
slubbing machines where it is lightly twisted and wound on bobbins. This
process is repeated on similar machines each one drawing the thread out
and twisting it a little more, until it is finally ready for spinning.
=Spinning.=--Two systems of spinning are in use at the present time,
ring spinning and self-acting mule spinning. The former is done mostly
by women and children, and produces a hard, round irregular yarn. The
latter machines, operated only by men and very strong women, are
complicated, but produce an exceedingly soft and fine yarn.
The thread used for sewing and for the manufacture of lace is made by
twisting several fine threads together. Sewing thread is usually
composed of from six to nine threads spun separately and then twisted
into one. Thread is sometimes passed very rapidly through a flame which
burns off the fuzz making it very smooth.
=Weaving.=--Three operations are necessary in the manufacture of cloth;
First, the separation of the warp threads on the loom, so that the
shuttle containing the woof can pass through. Second, the movement of
the shuttle, back and forth, among the warp threads. Third, the beating
up the woof.
FLAX.
The fibers of flax are spun and woven into a fabric called linen. This
is one of the most ancient industries known to man. Linen is often
mentioned in the Bible and the ancient Egyptians wrapped their mummies
in this fabric. It is said that the finest linen of the present day
looks coarse beside that from the Egyptian looms in the days of the
Pharaohs. The Hebrew and Egyptian priests wore garments made of this
fine linen.
=The Plant.=--Flax grows from two to three feet high, and has a blue
flower. A field of flax in blossom is very beautiful.
While it is grown extensively in many parts of Europe, Asia and America,
the soil and climate of Ireland, France and the Netherlands are
especially adapted to its growth, and it is in these countries that it
reaches its greatest perfection.
The fiber of the bark is the part of the plant used in the manufacture
of cloth. Linseed oil is expressed from the seed.
=The Preparation of the Fiber.=--When the plant is ripe it is pulled up
by the roots and beaten to loosen the seeds which are then shaken out.
Next the stems are steeped in soft water and afterward allowed to
ferment. They are then dried and passed between fluted rollers which
breaks the woody part of the stems which are again beaten to remove this
woody part from the fiber. The fiber is then made into bundles and sent
to the mill to be spun, where it is first roughly sorted, the longest
and best portions being separated from the short raveled ones. These
inferior portions are called "tow."
The treatment of the flax fiber for spinning is similar to that of the
cotton (page 92), being drawn and twisted and drawn out again, repeating
this process several times.
=Spinning.=--Coarse and heavy yarns are spun dry, but fine yarn must be
spun wet. Some varieties of velvet and velveteen are made from linen.
Much of the so-called linen cloth of the present day is mixed with
cotton or jute. The principles of weaving are the same as that of the
cotton. See page 93.
For many centuries the weaving of linen was conducted as a household
industry. The first attempt to manufacture it on a large scale was in
England in 1253. It is now one of the national industries. Linen is
bleached after it is woven. In the olden times it was spread upon the
grass, or lawn, and the action of the sun, air and moisture whitened it,
and for this reason it was called "lawn," and it is still so designated.
In the modern process of bleaching, the linen is first singed by being
passed rapidly over hot cylinders which makes the cloth smooth. It is
then boiled in lime water, washed and afterwards scoured in a solution
of sulphuric acid, exposed to the air for a time and again scoured.
Lastly, it is boiled in soda-lye water and dried over hot tin rollers.
The gloss on linen is made by first mangling, then starching, and
finally running it between heavy rollers.
Linen is chiefly manufactured in France, Belgium, Germany, England and
the United States. France is noted for the finest kinds of lawn and
cambric, while Ireland excels in the production of table linen. The
largest portion of the sheeting and toweling is made in Scotland. The
linen manufactures of the United States consist principally of toweling
and twine.
WOOL.
Wool is the fleecy covering of sheep. It is distinguished by its
waviness and the scaly covering of the fibers. The scales are more
pointed and protrude more than those of hair. This gives it a tendency
to mat or felt. The waviness of wool is due to the spiral structure of
the fibers. Next to cotton, wool is the most extensively used of all the
textile fibers.
The Romans developed a breed of sheep having wool of exceeding fineness,
and later introduced their sheep into Spain. Here they were still
further improved, and it was not many years until Spain led the world in
the production of wool. The fine wooled Merino sheep originated here.
Australia and the United States are also great wool-producing
countries.
=Classification.=--There are three classes of wool, classified according
to the length, fineness and felting qualities:
1. The carding or clothing wool.
2. The combing or worsted wool.
3. The blanket or carpet wool.
Wool on different parts of the same animal varies greatly, that on the
shoulders being the finest and most even. All unwashed wool contains a
fatty or greasy matter called yolk or suint. This keeps the fiber from
matting together and also protects the fleece from injury. The yolk must
be removed before the wool is manufactured into cloth. When the fleece
is cut from the body of the sheep it sticks together so that it can be
spread out like the hide of an animal, and each fleece is tied in a
separate bundle. A few years ago sheep shearing was done by hand. This
was a busy time, especially on large ranches where thousands of sheep
were to be sheared and it required a large crew to do the work. It is
now accomplished with much less time, labor and expense by machinery.
Alpaca and Mohair are classed as wools, but the former is produced by
the Alpaca goat and the latter by the Angora goat. Cashmere wool comes
from the Cashmere goat, found in Thibet, and is very costly, as only the
finest parts of the fleece are used. In the far eastern countries
beautiful, costly fabrics are made from the long hair of the camel.
=Preparation.=--When wool comes to the factory in the raw state it must
be scoured. This is done by passing it through machines containing
strong soap suds, and afterwards rinsing it. After the wool is dry it is
mixed or blended. Mixing is an operation of great importance and is done
to make the wool of uniform quality. Portions of wool from different
lots, qualities and colors are placed in alternate layers and blended.
If it is desired to mix other materials with the wool, such as silk,
cotton or shoddy, it is added at this time.
The wool is harsh to the touch after it has been scoured, owing to the
removal of the yolk. To restore its natural softness it is slightly
sprinkled with oil during the process of mixing.
=Carding and Spinning.=--The process of carding produces a thread having
fibers projecting loosely from the main thread in little ends which
form the nap of the finished cloth. After it is carded it is wound on
spools and is ready for the spinning. In spinning the threads are held
together by their scales and the waviness of the fiber which prevents
them from untwisting. Another valuable feature of wool is its
elasticity, which makes it soft to the touch and this is retained in the
manufactured goods.
=Woolens.=--There are two classes of woolen textiles, woolens and
worsteds, depending upon the character of the fiber used, and the
treatment to which it is subjected. The shorter varieties of wool are
used in woolens, while the long fibers are combed out and used for the
worsteds. In making woolen yarns the wool is simply carded and very
loosely spun, but in making worsted thread the wool is combed out and
hard twisted. Owing to the nap of the woolen goods the weaving is
scarcely visible, but in the manufacture of worsteds the weave is
evident and a great variety of designs is possible.
A variety of effects can also be produced by the character of the
finish. Among the principal varieties are:
1. The dress face finish, such as broadcloth and beaver.
2. The velvet finish.
3. The Scotch or Melton finish.
4. The bare face finish, which has the nap completely sheared off.
While the finish may differ, the general treatment of the cloth is
practically the same. The first step is called pulling, when the cloth
is soaked in hot water and pulled by a pulling machine. It is soaked,
pulled and beaten until it is only half its original length and breadth.
It is then rinsed and stretched on a frame where it will dry without a
wrinkle. At this time the nap is raised by beating the cloth with the
spike head of the teasel plant or its substitute. The pile or nap is
then trimmed so as to present a uniform surface, when it is wound
tightly around a huge drum and immersed in hot water. Finally it is
pressed in a hydraulic press, during which time steam is forced through
it. This is to give solidity and smoothness to the cloth and also to add
luster to the finished fabric.
CHAPTER IX.
DRESS, AND ITS RELATION TO ART.
Art education should bring to every girl a greater appreciation of
beauty and a sufficient knowledge to enable her to beautify her home and
to dress herself becomingly. This is the real "applied art" or "applied
design" of which we have heard much but seen little.
The power and skill necessary to originate an intricate and artistic
design, and a technical knowledge of color-blending are worth something
to the individual, but the ability to apply this knowledge later to the
decoration of her home and to the selection of her own wardrobe is of
vastly greater importance.
An artist who paints the human figure, draws and erases and draws again,
and yet again, that the contour of the form he creates may be right in
proportion and graceful in line. He studies his coloring, he compares,
rejects and blends for a particular shade or tint that makes for
complete harmony. No discordant note of color nor turn of line that
detracts from the beauty of the whole is allowed. And there are artistic
makers-of-garments who put into the costumes they create the same
thought and care that the artist spends upon his canvas, but the prices
of both are within the reach of very few. Nearly every woman must plan
her own wardrobe and choose the furnishings for her home and this is
what "Art" and "Domestic Art" in the public schools should train the
girl of to-day--the woman of the future--to do.
Art on paper is the preparation for a journey--packing the suitcase, as
it were, necessary but toilsome; the application of art principles to
the problems of real life, the delightful excursion, opening the eyes to
real beauty and its possibilities. May the children in our schools have
something more than the drudgery of preparation.
Clothing was first designed in the early ages, no doubt, as a covering
and protection to the body; it has come, however, to mean something more
than this. It is an expression of the character, the nicety of taste--or
lack of it--the discrimination and judgment of the individual. In the
selection of one's garments there are a number of points which must be
taken into consideration, such as health and comfort, cost, fitness,
color and style, as well as beauty. And above all, the average woman
must pause and consider last season's garments, that are too good to be
discarded and must form a part of this year's wardrobe. It is quite
disastrous to plunge ahead and buy a blue dress, because blue happens to
be stylish, if the hat to be worn with it is a green or brown "left
over."
While a due regard to the opinions of others demands a certain
conformity to the customs of the time and place in which one lives,
there is always a latitude allowed which enables one to exercise
individual needs, taste and preference.
Health and comfort should take rank before everything else. A style
which interferes with either is an absurdity which anyone of good sense
will avoid.
Neatness should be considered above beauty or style. A soiled collar,
hooks, eyes and buttons missing, gloves out at finger ends, shoes dusty
and unpolished, braid hanging from the skirt, the waist and skirt
separated are all accidents which may befall anyone, but are most
deplorable when they become chronic.
It has been wisely said that the best dressed woman is she of whose
clothing one is unconscious, whose dress is neither conspicuous from
extreme style nor too noticeable from a total disregard of the custom of
the times. Good taste demands that one be not overdressed. Street and
business suits and young girls' school dresses should be plain, well
made and neat, of subdued and becoming color.
"Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy," wrote Shakespeare, and the
advice still holds good. Economy does not consist, however, of buying
cheap, shoddy material. Trimming can be dispensed with to the
improvement of the average garment, but a dress made of good cloth will
out-wear, look better, give greater self-respect, and in the end cost
less than several dresses made of cheap stuff, as the cost of making is
no more for the one than the other. This is a principle that applies as
well to underwear. Simple garments, well made of firm fine cambric are
much to be preferred to those overtrimmed with cheap lace and sleazy
embroidery.
Some colors and styles are becoming to certain complexions and forms
and are quite the reverse to others. A short stout person should avoid
plaids, while one overly tall should never select stripes. The lines of
the garment are equally important--any method of trimming that gives
length, the long lines of the "princess" and the "empire" styles are a
boon to the short figure, while the overskirt, the deep flounce, and the
bands of trimming running around the skirt, all help to break the long
lines for the tall woman. Belts that by contrast divide the figure are
not good unless one wishes to shorten the height. Waists and skirts of
the same color usually have more style and give better form.
Give careful heed to the selection of color, not only to the dress but
to the accessories, hat, gloves, collar, belt and shoes, as well. In
fact, consider the costume as a whole made up of parts, each one of
which must harmonize with every other.
Before sewing machines were to be found in every home and ready made
clothing in the stores styles did not change so rapidly. Commercial
conditions now make it to the advantage of a great army of people that
the styles in dress change often and radically. The manufacturers of
cloth, the wholesale merchants with their agents, the retailers and
their numerous clerks, wholesale garment-makers and their many employes,
pattern-makers, dress-makers, milliners and the manufacturers of all
minor articles of clothing are all benefitted by this oft recurring
change in style. This condition has come about so gradually that we
hardly realize to what extent we are victims of trade-tricks. It is not
necessary nor desirable that woman should enslave herself to follow all
the vagaries of style.
[Illustration: CHILD'S PICTURE BOOK.]
CHAPTER X.
PAPER, CLOTH AND CARDBOARD CONSTRUCTION.
A CHILD'S PICTURE BOOK.
_Materials:_ Pink, blue or yellow paper cambric 27 inches; coarse
thread; coarse needle; bright, pretty pictures which the children have
cut from papers, magazines, cards, etc.; paste.
Fold the cloth through the center with the warp and cut on the fold.
Fold both strips into three equal pieces with the woof, and cut. Fold
each piece through the center parallel to the selvedge. Place two
pieces together and pin at the fold, and "pink" through the four
thicknesses, around the edges with a "pinking iron." Do the same with
the other pieces. When finished place them all together and stitch at
the fold at follows:
1. Mark three holes on the fold with the needle,
one in the middle and one two inches above it, and
another two inches below it.
2. Tie a large knot two inches from the end of the
thread.
3. Insert the needle at the lowest hole, from the
inside, and draw it through leaving two inches of
the thread to tie.
4. Pass over the middle hole and down through the
upper one, out through the middle hole on one side
of the long thread, and back through the same hole
on the other side of the thread, and tie the two
ends of the thread together.
Paste a pretty card or large picture on the outside for the cover. Page
the book with neat figures and write the name of the child for whom the
book is designed on the inside of the cover. Arrange and paste in the
pictures neatly.
A BOX WITH COVER.
_Materials:_ Cardboard for foundation 9" × 9"; cover 7" × 7"; colored
paper for covering; strips of cloth or glue-tape for staying corners;
glue. Use tooth-picks in applying the glue.
[Illustration: NO. 1 AND NO. 2--ONE-PIECE BOXES.
NO. 3.--TWO-PIECE BOX. BOX AND COVER ALIKE.]
[Illustration: GROUP OF BOXES.]
Find the center of the card by drawing both diagonals. Measure two and
one-half inches from the center toward the sides. Draw straight lines
passing through these points connecting opposite edges, thus forming a
five-inch square in the center. Cut out the corners on these lines. Hold
the edge of a ruler firmly to the lines of the square and bend the
cardboard. Fold the strip of cloth or tape through the center and put
the glue on this, using very little, and taking care to keep it back
from the edge. Cover the corners with the cloth. Cut a strip of the
colored paper twenty-one inches by two and three-fourth inches. Put a
very little glue on the outside of the box and cover with the colored
paper. Turn over the edges and glue them down. Follow the same
directions for making the cover, measuring two and five-eighth inches
from the center of the seven-inch square of cardboard. Cover the sides
and top with the colored paper, the strip for the sides being twenty-two
inches by one and one-half inches, and the top a five-inch square. This
box can be made in any size or shape, the same general plan being
followed.
A BLANK BOOK WITH PAPER COVER RE-INFORCED WITH CLOTH.
_Materials:_ Strong felt paper 9" × 10"; book cloth for back 10" ×
3-1/4", for corners 4 pieces 2" × 1-3/4"; lining paper for covers, 2
sheets 4-1/4" × 9-1/2"; number of sheets of paper desired for the book
8-1/2" × 9-1/2"; coarse thread; coarse needle; glue. Use tooth-picks in
applying the glue.
Draw a line on the felt paper through the middle the long way and fold
on the line. Measure on the outside one and one-fourth inches from the
corners along both edges, and place points. Connect these points with
straight lines. Place the long edge of the cloth corner to this line,
and fold it over the corner and crease. Remove and trim it even before
gluing on. Put the glue always on the cloth and use as little as
possible. Crease the strip of book-cloth for the back, through the
center, but do not glue in place until after the leaves are sewed in.
Fold the sheets of paper through the center of the book. Follow the same
directions for sewing the leaves together as given in the description of
"A Child's Picture Book," page 101. Finish by gluing the paper lining on
the inside of the cover and the strip of book-cloth down the back.
[Illustration: A BLANK BOOK.]
This book could be made any size or shape, and decorated as desired.
A FOLDING ENVELOPE CASE FOR PAPERS.
_Materials:_ Strong felt paper, or its substitute; (a sheet 20" × 30"
cut through the center the short way will make two cases. If two
harmonious colors be selected, the corners cut from one case can be
used to decorate another); book cloth in one-inch strips for binding;
glue. Use tooth-picks in applying the glue.
[Illustration: BACK AND FRONT VIEWS OF A FOLDING ENVELOPE CASE FOR
PAPERS.]
On the wrong side, find the center of the paper twenty inches by fifteen
inches by drawing both diagonals. Measure four and one-fourth inches
from the center toward the sides. Draw straight lines passing through
these points connecting opposite sides, thus forming an eight-and-a-half
inch square in the center. Cut out the four corners on these lines. Fold
in the four sides on the lines of the square. A strap, which will fasten
the case by slipping through a slit cut in the opposite side, is to be
made on one of the long flaps as follows:
Place a point at the middle on the edge of the
flap, and measure an inch along the edge on both
sides of this point. Measure down two inches from
these last points and place dots. Connect these
dots by straight lines with the top and sides. Cut
the corners out on these lines. Trim the end of
the strap to a point beginning one-half inch from
the corners and cutting to the center point.
It is necessary to trim the edges of the flaps that there may be no
difficulty in folding one over another. Measure one-half inch from the
corners of the flaps and connect this point with the corner of the
square, and cut on these lines. Fold the half-inch strip of book-cloth
through the center; place the glue on the cloth and glue it for a
binding around the raw edges of the case. Finish the corners of the
binding with the square or mitered corner. Fold the fastening strap over
the opposite side, and place a point at the corners to locate the place
where the slit is to be cut. Connect these two points by a straight line
and draw another parallel to, and three-fourths of an inch from it. Cut
on these lines with a knife. This slit must be strengthened by the
book-cloth. Cut a piece two and three-fourths inches by one and
one-fourth inches and glue over the strip on the wrong side; clip the
edges at the ends of the slit, and bring through to the right side, and
glue them down. The piece for the covering of the right side may be cut
the exact width of the slit, and the ends cut in some fancy shape. This
may be cut from the cloth, or the paper used in the design. The front of
the case can be decorated as desired. Very beautiful effects can be
obtained by cutting out the design from paper that harmonizes in color
and gluing it on. This makes a very useful case for holding school
papers, and if neatly and carefully done, is an excellent exercise.
CLIPPING CASE.
_Materials:_ 4 envelopes, 4-1/8" × 9-1/2"; 4 strips of book-cloth 9-1/2"
× 1"; 1 strip of book-cloth 10" × 3-1/2"; 4 pieces of book-cloth 2" ×
1-1/4"; heavy felt paper 9" x 10"; 2 sheets lining paper 4-1/4" x
9-1/2"; glue. Put the glue on the _cloth_ each time with tooth-picks.
[Illustration: CLIPPING CASE.]
Follow the directions for making the cover of the "Blank Book with Paper
Cover Re-inforced with Cloth," page 104. The envelopes take the place of
the sheets of paper and are fastened in place as follows:
1. On the back and front of the envelopes draw a
line parallel to and one-half inch from the
bottom.
2. Fold a strip of book-cloth one inch by nine and
one-half inches through the center the long way.
3. Glue one-half of this folded strip to the
half-inch below the line on the back of one
envelope and the other half to the half-inch below
the line on the front of another envelope.
Continue thus until the four envelopes are
fastened together.
4. Glue half of a strip of the cloth to the front
of the first envelope and the other half to the
front of the cover to hold in the desired
position. Do the same at the back.
5. Glue in the lining papers on the covers.
The outside may be decorated as desired.
A POSTAL CARD ALBUM.
_Materials:_ Paper for leaves of book; pulp board in three pieces, 5" ×
8", 5" × 6-3/4", 5" × 1"; book-cloth in two pieces 6" × 9"; lining paper
in two pieces 4-3/4" × 7-3/4"; glue; eyelet punch and eyelets.
[Illustration: TWO VIEWS OF A POST CARD ALBUM--CLOSED AND OPEN.]
To be of value the work in this exercise must be exact, with
measurements perfectly accurate. The glue is to be used sparingly and
spread upon the cloth and not on the pulp board.
Draw on the book-cloth an oblong five by eight inches, which will leave
a margin of one-half inch. Put the glue on the cloth and place the pulp
board five by eight inches over the oblong. Turn over the edges and
finish. Glue the lining paper in place. Place under weight as soon as
finished. The front cover is made the same with the exception of a joint
in the pulp board. Draw on the second piece of book-cloth an oblong
five by eight inches. Draw a line one inch from and parallel to one end
of the oblong. Draw a second line one-fourth of an inch from this.
Spread the glue on the cloth and place the two pieces of pulp board on
the oblong with a quarter-inch space between them, and proceed as
before. Both covers can be made with the joint if desired. Punch with
the eyelet tool two holes in each cover three inches apart and one-half
inch from the edge, and put in the eyelets. _Take care that these holes
are directly opposite._ Cut the paper for the book into sheets four and
one-half by seven and three-fourths inches (or four and one-half by
fifteen and one-half inches), and fold. Punch the eyelets _exactly even_
with those in the cover. Place a postal-card three and one-half by five
and one-half inches on the sheets with a half-inch margin at top, bottom
and end, and make two points on each of the four sides, one one-half
inch from the corner, and the other one inch. Connect corresponding
points by slant lines and cut with a knife on these lines. The outside
cover can be decorated in any way desired. This style of cover can be
used for a book of any size or shape.
PICTURE FRAMING.
Select a mount of the proper color for the picture to be used, and
passepartout paper to harmonize. Cut to the desired size and shape. Cut
a piece of cardboard to the same size. Have a glass cut to the size of
the mount, also a mat for the picture, if desired. Place the picture in
position on the mount, and draw guide lines to aid in pasting the
picture in place. Put the two rings used for the purpose of hanging the
picture, into the cardboard back before putting the parts together. The
rings should be placed exactly even, measuring down from the top about
one-third of the width of the picture, and in at the sides one inch.
Clean the glass carefully, and place it over the picture. Between the
cardboard back and the picture place two or three layers of newspaper.
Be sure that the back is placed with the rings toward the top. Tie all
together very tightly with a strong cord, passing the cord only around
one way of the picture. Cut the passepartout paper the length of the
picture and crease it over the edges. Moisten the paper and stick it
first to the glass and then draw it firmly over the edge and down on
the cardboard back. It is necessary _to work rapidly after the paper is
moistened_. Finish the other edge in the same manner. Before removing
the cord, tie another around the other way. Finish the two ends in the
same manner as the sides, with the exception of the corners. Cut the
passe-partout paper an inch longer than the side to be covered, and do
not fasten down quite to the corner. Trim for a mitered corner on the
glass side and cut a narrow strip the thickness of the glass, and stick
it down along the other edge. Tie a cord into the rings for hanging.
[Illustration]
A FOUR SIDED, COLLAPSIBLE CANDLE OR LAMP SHADE.
_Materials:_ Cardboard; book-cloth or Japanese tissue paper;
passe-partout paper.
Cut a pattern of one section of the shade in the form of a trapezoid
having the longer parallel five and seven-eighth inches, the shorter
parallel one and three-eighth inches and the altitude four and one-half
inches. Candle shadeholders are uniform in size being six and one-half
inches in circumference. To fit this circular holder, the shade may be
rounded out at the top, although it can be used with the straight edge.
Cut a strip of cardboard five inches wide, and from this cut the four
sides of the shade.
The decoration of the shade may be varied greatly. The design may be
drawn upon the back of the cardboard and cut out the same as a stencil,
care being taken that the proper bridges are in place. The book-cloth is
then pasted on the back. If the cardboard is intended as a framework
only, construct a second trapezoid one-half inch inside the other, and
cut on the lines. The possibilities for decoration are limitless. A
design may be stenciled, embroidered, or worked with any of the fancy
stitches upon any thin material through which the light will shine, and
then pasted over the back of the frame-work. Fancy silks are also very
effective.
When the sections are finished, fasten them together with the
passe-partout paper. Lay them all face downward with the sides to be
joined placed as closely together as possible, and stick the moistened
paper over adjoining edges. Book-cloth or any firm material can be used
instead of the passe-partout paper.
[Illustration]
CHAPTER XI.
HOME FURNISHING, DECORATION AND CARE.
Bright, clean, tasteful and well regulated homes will add more to the
sum of human happiness than anything else in life. A happy home does not
always mean a costly one. The simple, tidy home of the day laborer may
have the home-atmosphere that the mansion may lack. A home can be
tastefully, even if cheaply, furnished.
A thoughtful teacher can impart to her class a love of home and a
respect and honor for the labor that keeps that home clean, attractive
and wholesome, and instill womanly traits that may add greatly to the
happiness of the individuals and the betterment of all with whom they
come in contact. A familiarity with the conditions of an ideal home and
the aroused interest of the girls who will be the home-makers in a few
years will have an influence and value that is limitless. The parents,
also, may receive suggestions through their children that will react on
the present home conditions.
Every teacher will invent her own method of reaching her particular
class, depending upon their needs and environment, using all necessary
tact. An outline is given below which will suggest a few topics and one
method of conducting the lessons. There are many kindred subjects, such
as good ventilation, plenty of sunlight, good house-keeping, etc., that
can be brought into the discussions, but the enthusiasm which is aroused
is really the vital point of the lesson.
AN IMAGINARY HOME.
When furnishing a home take into consideration sanitary conditions, use,
convenience, economy and artistic effects.
1. Ask pupils to make clippings of house plans
from papers, magazines, etc. Study and compare
them.
2. Decide upon a plan for a simple house, and have
some member of the class draw the floor plans upon
the blackboard where it can remain for a time.
3. Several points must be considered in conjunction, that there may may
be harmony throughout the house as the rooms open into each other.
a. The color scheme and design for each room. Some samples of cloth
or paper to show the exact colors and combinations of colors
decided upon.
b. Decoration of the walls.
c. The floor finish or covering.
d. Color of shades and curtains that the outside may present a
favorable appearance.
4. Divide the class into sections and assign a room to each section to
suggest detail in style of furnishing and decorating.
a. Living Room.
b. Dining Room.
c. Kitchen.
d. Pantry.
e. Hall.
f. Sleeping Rooms.
g. Bath.
h. Laundry.
5. Avoid over-crowding the rooms with furniture and cluttering with too
many pictures and useless and inartistic bric-a-brac, and
dust-collectors.
6. The Care of the Home: This topic will enable the teacher to give many
helpful suggestions. Assign sub-divisions of the subject to different
members of the class:
a. Sweeping.
b. Dusting.
c. Care of bare floors.
d. Window washing.
e. Dish washing.
f. Care of cupboards.
g. Care of book-shelves, daily papers, magazines, etc.
h. Care of sleeping rooms, beds, etc.
i. Care of bath rooms.
CHAPTER XII.
BASKETRY.
Basketry is one of the oldest handicrafts known to man, but it reached
its greatest excellence with the tribes of American Indians who wove
baskets from the grasses, reeds and rushes which they gathered as they
wandered from place to place in their nomadic life. These materials were
colored with dyes made by cooking the bark of certain trees and the
roots and bulbs of plants, a knowledge of which was handed down from
mother to daughter.
The designs were not meaningless, but represented by symbols their
prayers to the Deity for rain, success to a war party, or a petition for
favorable crops. Or it might be they chronicled the victory over a
hostile tribe, a maiden's love for a stalwart brave, or a thousand other
events of their lives in conventionalized symbolic form. The shape, size
and use varied as much as the design.
The material used by the Indians is not available for us but imported
raffia, rattan and rushes form excellent substitutes. Raffia, a product
of the Island of Madagascar, is a soft, pliable, yellowish fiber growing
next to the bark of a species of palm tree. Rattan is the product of a
kind of palm which grows in India. It is stripped of leaves and split
into round or flat strips of different sizes.
A more instructive occupation cannot be found for children than basketry
and its allied subjects. It not only is fascinating in itself, but
develops patience, judgment, dexterity and skill, and embodies the
satisfaction of making a beautiful and useful article. It is not only an
educative occupation for school, but for the home as well.
Baskets are known as the woven baskets made of the round or flat rattan
and the sewed baskets made from the raffia and reeds.
GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING THE COIL BASKET.
=Preparation of Materials.=--Round reeds are sold in sizes from the very
fine Number 0 to the coarse Number 8. Hemp cord of different sizes may
be substituted for the reeds of a flexible basket if desired.
[Illustration: BEGINNING A BASKET IN ANY WEAVE.
1 2 3 4
1--The reed sharpened to a flat point.
2--The end of the sharpened reed wound with raffia.
3--The end of the reed curled into a small "button."
4--Splicing reeds by cutting both to a flat point.]
Beginning about two inches from one end of the reed, sharpen to a flat
point. Coil the other end, leaving ten or fifteen inches uncoiled, and
tie with raffia two or three times. Soak the reeds in water until very
pliable, then remove and wipe dry before using. The raffia may be used
wet or dry as one prefers. It may be used in coarse strands for the
large baskets or split to any size desired for the finer stitches, but
should be kept uniform. The basket sewing requires either the sharp or
blunt tapestry needle, varying in size between Number 18 and Number 22.
Thread the end of the raffia that has been cut from the tree into the
needle, thus working with the fiber, as it is less liable to split. Much
of the beauty of the basket will depend upon the smoothness and neatness
of the work.
=Beginning the Basket.=--Baskets may be classified as round or oval.
A. THE ROUND BASKET.
Draw the sharpened end of the pliable reed between the thumb and finger
into the smallest possible coil. Lay the end of the raffia to the point
and along the sharpened end of the reed and hold it in place with the
left hand. By a sharp turn in the thread begin winding over the reed and
raffia to the point. Then shape into the coil by sewing through the
center, thus forming the "button" as in the illustration.
[Illustration: BASKETS BEGUN IN THREE DIFFERENT WEAVES.
1 2 3
1--Round basket in the Navajo weave.
2--Oval basket in the Lazy Squaw weave.
3--Round basket in the Mariposa weave]
B. THE OVAL BASKET:
[Illustration: GROUP OF BASKETS SHOWING VARIETY IN SIZE, SHAPE AND
DESIGN.]
The end of the reed is not sharpened, and must be very soft and pliable,
or it cannot be bent together at the desired length, two, three, four,
five or more inches from the end, without breaking. It will do no
special harm if it splits, however, as it is to be covered with the
raffia. Lay the end of the raffia to the end of the reed, along the reed
and around the bend, and by a sharp turn in the thread wind four or
five times over the raffia, covering the bend in the reed. The two reeds
may then be caught together by the stitch selected for the basket, or
the "Navajo" or "figure eight stitch" may be used and the other stitch
introduced on the second round.
=Splicing the Reed.=--As the reed naturally coils somewhat take care to
splice it so that the coil in the two pieces remains the same, otherwise
it would draw apart. Sharpen the top side of one reed and the underside
of the other to a long flat point and slip one past the other until the
two together form the uniform size of the reed. It is sometimes
advisable for a novice to wind the spliced reeds with fine thread, but
experience will teach one to do the splicing with the sewing of the
basket.
=Splicing the Thread.=--When a new thread is needed lay the end of the
old thread along the reed and place the new thread over it, and by a
sharp turn in the thread, wind once or twice over both, and continue the
stitch as before. When the ends are firmly fastened clip them off.
=Shaping the Basket.=--Coiled basketry admits of the greatest variety in
shape and size, from the simple table mat to the exquisitely beautiful
jar and vase forms, while the stitches lend themselves to an endless
variety of design ranging from the simplest to the most intricate
patterns.
It is well to have in mind the shape and design before beginning the
basket, as haphazard work is not apt to be satisfactory. Baskets can be
easily shaped to any desired form, as this depends entirely upon the
position of each succeeding reed upon the one below it.
=Introduction of Color.=--All reeds in the coiled basket are wound twice
with the raffia. It is important to keep this in mind when putting in
designs. The colored raffia is introduced in the same manner that the
thread is spliced, by laying it along the reed and sewing over it. When
working out designs in color do not cut the thread when changing from
one to another, but lay the thread not in use along the reed and sew
over it, bringing it out when ready to use it again.
As an aid in dividing the space for a design a piece of paper may be cut
and folded into the desired number of sections, and these marked on the
basket. These spaces are then filled in without regard to the exact
number of stitches required to cover the reeds.
Beginners should make a study of Indian baskets and their designs.
=Finishing the Basket.=--Cut the end of the reed to a flat point two
inches in length, and gradually taper the stitching off so that it shows
where it ends as little as possible. The last two rows of the basket
might be stitched with colored raffia unless it detracts from the
design.
[Illustration: BASKET SHOWING THE NAVAJO WEAVE.]
DESCRIPTION OF BASKET STITCHES.
The stitching proceeds along a continuous coil, so that each stitch is
passed beneath the stitches of the coil beneath.
For convenience in analyzing these stitches the two reeds may be
designated as the loose reed and the fastened reed.
=The Navajo Stitch (Figure Eight).=--Hold the commenced coil in the left
hand which will cause the work to proceed from the right toward the
left.
(a) Pass the thread between the two reeds _toward_ you, (b) over the
loose reed _from_ you, (c) between the two reeds _toward_ you, (d) down
between the stitches of the fastened reed _from_ you, and beginning
again at (a) pass the thread between the two reeds toward you completing
the figure eight. Draw the two reeds firmly together.
[Illustration: BASKET SHOWING THE LAZY SQUAW WEAVE.]
This is the stitch used by the Indians in making the baskets which they
ornamented with feathers, wampum, shells and beads.
=The Lazy Squaw Stitch=.--This stitch is made up of two parts, a long
and a short stitch.
Hold the commenced coil in the left hand and work from right to left.
(a) Wrap the thread toward you _over_ and _around_ the loose reed once,
(b) then _over_ the loose reed again, (c) and down _from_ you between
the stitches of the fastened reed and back to (a). This completes the
long-and-short stitch.
The story of the origin of the name "Lazy-Squaw" stitch is interesting.
If the squaw was inclined to slight her work she would wrap the loose
reed several times before taking the long and more difficult stitch
which bound the two reeds together. She would then receive from her
companions the ignominious title of "lazy-squaw."
As a modification of this stitch the wrapping of the loose reed is
omitted, and the long stitch only is used. This passes each time between
the stitches of the coil beneath.
[Illustration: BASKET SHOWING THE MARIPOSA WEAVE.]
=The Mariposa Stitch (Knotted).=--In analyzing this stitch we find that
it is made up of three parts. It is the same as the Lazy Squaw Stitch
with the addition of the knotted effect obtained by passing the thread
around the long stitch.
Hold the commenced coil in the left hand and work from right to left,
(a) Wrap the thread toward you over and around the loose reed once, (b)
then over the loose reed again, (c) and down _from_ you between the
stitches of the fastened reed, thus binding the two reeds together, (d)
bring the needle up _between_ the two reeds at the left side of the long
stitch, (e) cross over this stitch, going down between the two reeds at
the right of the long stitch. Bring the thread over the loose reed and
begin wrapping again as at (a).
=The Samoan Stitch (Lace Effect).=--Baskets that are to be lined are
very pretty made of this stitch. It is also very effective combined with
other stitches, or as the finishing coil of a basket.
The Samoan Stitch is a modification of the Mariposa Stitch, the only
difference being in the space between the reeds and the passing of the
thread around the long stitch two, three or more times, which gives the
lace effect. The reeds _must_ be held firmly, however, and the thread
passed around the long stitch times enough to make the basket firm.
Books on the Manual Arts
=CLAY WORK.= By KATHERINE MORRIS LESTER.
This book has been written by a grade teacher and
art worker to help teachers in acquiring the
technique of clay working, and to give them
suggestions concerning the teaching of the several
types of clay work suited to pupils in the
elementary schools. It covers the study of natural
forms, the human figure in relief and the round,
animal forms, story illustration, architectural
ornament, tiles, hand-built pottery and pottery
decoration. The book is richly illustrated with
more than fifty half-tone and line cuts showing
processes, designs, and the work of children from
ten to twelve years of age. Price, $1.00.
=CLASSROOM PRACTICE IN DESIGN.= By JAMES PARTON HANEY.
A concise up-to-date, richly illustrated brochure
on the teaching of applied design. Price, 50
cents.
=THE WASH METHOD OF HANDLING WATER COLOUR.= By FRANK FORREST FREDERICK.
A brief, clear, comprehensive text printed in
sepia and illustrated with wash drawings and a
water-color painting by the author. Price, 50
cents.
=SIMPLIFIED MECHANICAL PERSPECTIVE.= By FRANK FORREST FREDERICK.
A book of simple problems covering the essentials
of mechanical perspective. It is planned for
pupils of high school age who have already
received some elementary training in mechanical
drawing. It is simple, direct and practical.
Price, 75 cents.
=THE CONSTRUCTION AND FLYING OF KITES.= BY CHARLES M. MILLER.
This contains seven full-page plates of drawings
of kites and fifteen figures--over forty kites
shown. Details of construction given; a kite
tournament is described. Full of interesting
suggestions. Price, 20 cents.
=COPING SAW WORK.= By BEN W. JOHNSON.
Contains working drawings and suggestions for
teaching a course of work in thin wood that is
full of fun for the children, and affords ample
means for training in form study, construction,
invention and careful work. Has been called
"applied mechanics for the fourth grade." Price,
20 cents.
=SELECTED SHOP PROBLEMS.= By GEORGE A. SEATON.
A collection of sixteen problems in woodworking
made to meet the needs of busy teachers of manual
training. Each problem has been put to the test
and has proven satisfactory to the teacher who
designed it and the pupil who made it. Price, 20
cents.
=BEGINNING WOODWORK.= At home and in school. By CLINTON S. VAN DEUSEN;
illustrated by Edwin V. Lawrence.
A full and clear description in detail of the
fundamental processes of elementary benchwork in
wood. This description is given through directions
for making a few simple, useful articles suitable
either for school or home problems. Price, $1.00.
=HANDWORK IN WOOD.= By WILLIAM NOYES.
A notable book on woodworking. It is the result of
extensive research and long experience in teaching
and in training teachers. It is a comprehensive
and scholarly treatment of the subject and is the
one book of reference which teachers of
woodworking feel that they must always have at
hand. Price, $2.00.
=ESSENTIALS OF WOODWORKING.= By IRA S. GRIFFITH, illustrated by Edwin V.
Lawrence.
A text book on woodworking tools, materials and
processes to supplement the instruction given by
the teacher. Very fully illustrated. Price, $1.25.
=WOODWORK FOR SCHOOLS ON SCIENTIFIC LINES.= By JAMES THOMAS BAILY and S.
POLLITT.
This is the American edition of an English book
containing 120 practical problems, many of which
have been designed to correlate mathematics and
physical science with manual training. Price, 75
cents.
=PROBLEMS IN WOODWORKING.= By M. W. MURRAY.
A convenient collection of good problems ready to
place in the hands of the pupil. Price, 75 cents.
=PROBLEMS IN FURNITURE MAKING.= By FRED D. CRAWSHAW.
Thirty-two plates of working drawings of simple,
artistic furniture, with notes on construction,
finish and design. Price, $1.00.
=PROBLEMS IN MECHANICAL DRAWING.= By CHARLES A. BENNETT, with drawings
made by Fred D. Crawshaw.
The purpose of this book is to furnish teachers of
classes beginning mechanical drawing with a large
number of simple, practical problems in convenient
form for immediate use. Price, $1.00.
=PROBLEMS IN WOOD-TURNING.= By FRED D. CRAWSHAW.
A collection of problems presented in the form of
25 plates excellent in draftsmanship. Contains a
brief, clear text on the science and art of
wood-turning; also a chapter on "Form and
Proportion," which shows how accepted principles
of art may be applied in designing objects to be
turned in wood. Price, 80 cents.
=MANUAL TRAINING MAGAZINE.= Edited by CHARLES A. BENNETT.
Published bi-monthly. Price, $1.50 a year.
* * * * *
In addition to the above, we keep in stock the best books on the Manual
Arts issued by other publishers.
THE MANUAL ARTS PRESS :: PEORIA, ILL.
* * * * *
Transcriber's Notes:
Obvious punctuation errors repaired. Unless an obvious majority
appeared, varied hyphenation was retained.
Page 15, "stich" changed to "stitch" (with the running stitch)
Page 28, "carboard" changed to "cardboard" (Cardboard 4" × 4")
Page 28, the anchor for footnote 18 was missing from the page. It was
added. (Christmas Piece [17][18])
Pages 31 and 36, there once reference but two different notes for the
basketry substitute project. To make this easier, the second reference
was changed to 21 which necessitated changing the third reference to 22.
Page 38, "kaiki" is a little used but actual variant of "khaki" and was
retained.
Page 44, anchor missing for footnote 31. Added. (CHRISTMAS
PIECE.[28][31]
Pages 46 and 48, same issue as above with double note references. Edited
as above.
Page 55, "button holes" changed to "buttonholes" to match rest of usage
(quarter-inch buttonholes and sew)
Page 66, "sitch" changed to "stitch" (next to the last stitch)
Page 71, "No" changed to "Do" (Do not confuse this)
Page 76, "lop" changed to "loop" (side is the loop)
Page 79, "Guaging" changed to "Gauging" (description of Gauging)
Page 81, "of" changed to "or" (ten or fifteen cents)
Page 92, "especialy" changed to "especially" (makes it especially)
Page 92, "weeeks" changed to "weeks" (Six weeks after it)
Page 94, "Pharoahs" changed to "Pharaohs" (days of the Pharaohs)
Page 95, "in" changed to "is" (blossom is very)
Page 98, "detacts" changed to "detracts" (line that detracts)
Page 98, "indiviual" changed to "individual" (judgment of the
individual)
Page 116, double word "the" removed. Original read (end of the the
pliable)
Page 118, "baseket" changed to "basket" (in the coiled basket are)
*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "Handicraft for Girls - A Tentative Course in Needlework, Basketry, Designing, - Paper and Cardboard Construction, Textile Fibers and Fabrics - and Home Decoration and Care" ***
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