Chapter IV: Outline Stitches

KENSINGTON OUTLINE STITCH.]

_A._ =_Kensington Outline Stitch._=--Outline stitches, especially the one known as "Kensington outline," form a very prominent part in the work on linens. When the lines of designs are close very satisfactory results are obtained by outlining alone. This embroidery is very serviceable, and a housekeeper needs an ample supply of the simple linens to insure freshness in the dining room and about the toilet tables. Linens outlined in all white are very dainty, and all blue or delft green monochromes are pretty for summer. The outline is a hand embroidery stitch, so that the work is very convenient. The point of care-taking lies in the fact that the outline must be accurately followed. The stitch itself is a reverse backstitch. The work should proceed from left to right. The needle should be brought up in the outline, drawn out the full length of the thread, then sent down in advance and carried out on the outline again a short distance in front of the point at which it was put in. Again the needle should be sent through in advance on the line, thus forming an unbroken, partly double line on the face and a series of short backstitches on the wrong side of the fabric. The thread must be kept always on one side of the needle. It is more convenient to some workers to throw it back. See Fig. IV _a_.

BULGARIAN STITCH.]

_B._ _=Bulgarian Stitch.=_--Two or more lines of outline stitch laid parallel and close together is known as "Bulgarian Stitch." See Fig. IV _b_.

_C._ _=Split Stitch.=_--An outline backstitch with the needle brought up _through_ the previous stitch instead of beside it. See Fig. IV _c._

_D._ _=Stem Stitch.=_--This is also but a modification of the outline. The backstitches are taken so as to slant slightly _in_ towards the interior of the form, thus giving a little width to the outline. It is necessary to take the stitches a little closer than the cut would indicate in order to avoid spaces between them. This is a very satisfactory way of working stems when it is desired that they should have more width than the simple outline would give. See Fig. IV _d._

_E._ _=Twisted Outline Stitch.=_--This stitch should be worked in a frame or hoop, and it will be found a most effective way of working ribbed stems. A double thread of Filo is best adapted to the work. The thread should be brought up on the outline its full length above the framed fabric and the needle turned in the fingers until the thread is well twisted, then holding the twisted thread over the fore-finger of the left hand send the needle down a quarter of an inch in advance on the line; bring it up again close beside the stitch thus laid, about a third back on its length, then send it down again in advance. The width of the stem should be covered with parallel lines of these stitches. One line is not satisfactory, but two or more lie well together. The stitches must be taken uniformly all on one side of the lines. They may be much longer than those of the simple outline. See Fig. IV _e_.