_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_.
[Illustration: FIG. IV _b._