Chapter IV: Sewing Bird’s Secret

MARY FRANCES held up her canvas at the beginning of the next lesson, saying:

“Now, I know which of these stitches is which; and I believe I am ready to learn the next, my little teacher!”

“The next,” said Sewing Bird, “is

5.―RUNNING STITCH ON CANVAS

1. From under side of canvas, point needle upward, bringing knot
on wrong side.

2. Point needle downward through next hole, and upward through
next. Pull through.

3. Finish row, by taking several in-and-out stitches on the
needle, then pulling through.

4. Turn to wrong side, and fasten by taking three stitches in
same hole―this is the ‘in-and-out-the-windows’ stitch.”

“Ouch!” cried Mary Frances. “That hurts my fingers.”

“Of course, that is why we have thimbles. Be sure to use the knighted soldier finger,―and push the needle with its thimble cap,” said Sewing Bird.

“This way?” asked Mary Frances, holding up her little hand.

Then Sewing Bird answered with bright eyes sparkling,

“Exactly right,
And quite bewitching;
And needed much
In learning

6.―STITCHING (ON CANVAS)

(Also called Back-stitching)

1. Enter needle into canvas as for Running.

2. Take one running stitch, bringing needle out on right side.

3. Point needle downward through the hole to the right of the one
where the working cotton came out.

4. Push needle under two threads: pull through.

5. Repeat to end of row.

6. Fasten as in running stitch.

“Is that well done?” asked Mary Frances, holding up her first two stitches.

“Oh, my, no!” said Sewing Bird. “You’ve gotten the thread all twisted. Please unthread your needle and take out the work. Then try once more.”

“Dear me!” sighed Mary Frances, “one can’t be perfect before one learns!”

“Try! Try again!” sang Sewing Bird, flapping her wings,

“It is the Thimble People’s pride
That they have ever, always, tried:
Whenever they fail,―this is no tale,
As you can easily guess,―
They twist the failure round about,
They twist and turn it inside out;
Then drop it down a big, black hole,
Discovered in back of the North Pole,―
And up it jumps―Success!”

“My, I wish my failures would do that! Maybe they will,” mused Mary Frances, finishing the row of stitching very carefully. “Oh, there comes Grandma up the street!”

“Our lesson is
Now at an end,―
That’s all to-day,
My little friend,”

just then sang Sewing Bird.

“I forgot to ask,” said Mary Frances, “May I show Grandma, or tell her about―about our lessons?”

“That I already
Should have shown;
I cannot sing
Where people grown
Can hear: if they hear now
Or even ever,
I may become
A Never-Never!”

“Oh, ho,” smiled Mary Frances, softly smoothing the little bird. “I’m so glad I haven’t told. I am certainly glad, dear little Teacher Bird―I don’t want you to be a Never-Never,―whatever that is.”

“A secret let
Our secret be―
Too much for one,
Enough for two,
And not enough
For three,”

sang Sewing Bird wisely. Suddenly―

“Say no more,
Oh, say no more!
I hear your Grandma
At the door!”

fluttered the little bird; and Mary Frances quickly put away her work.

Grandma smiled when she saw Sewing Bird on the table.

“How you love my little helpful bird, don’t you, dear?” she asked.

“I love her with all my heart,” said Mary Frances.