_A._ _=Simple Buttonhole Stitch.=_--The Buttonhole Stitch is
capable of more elaborate work on its own account than is generally
supposed. Aside from the buttonhole scallop shown by Fig. VI _a_. which
is now so popular as a finish on linens and for which the Corticelli
Persian Floss and Corticelli EE Twisted Embroidery Silk are so
suitable, it has many possibilities in large work. It is also a hand
stitch and surfaces can be covered rapidly by its use, two points most
acceptable to amateurs. Short stitches laid close carry better color
effects than long ones far apart, although the color of the background,
which shows through the long stitches, has a large influence upon
the effect. Deep stitches in the buttonhole work must have a certain
proportionate space between them, for stitches more than a quarter of
an inch deep do not lie well close together. The line on which the loop
is to fall should be held toward one. The needle should be put in on
the opposite line of the width of the space to be covered and brought
out directly below on the lower line. The thread should lie in front of
the needle and under it, so that as it is drawn through and the stitch
laid the knot will lie formed. The work is done from left to right and
the stitches should be kept perpendicular. See Fig. VI _a_.
[Illustration: FIG. VI _b._ BLANKET STITCH.]
_B._ _=Blanket Stitch.=_--A wide-apart loose buttonhole stitch
used principally on flannels. Corticelli Etching Silk or Corticelli EE
Twisted Embroidery Silk is best suited for this work. See Fig. VI _b_.
[Illustration: FIG. VI _c._ HONEYCOMB STITCH.]
_C._ _=Honeycomb Stitch.=_--An adaptation of buttonhole stitch,
and is very nice for large work such as portieres. The first row of
stitches is laid like the blanket buttonhole, quite loose. The next
is fastened to the fabric only at the beginning and end of the row;
between these points the loop stitches are caught into the loops of the
first row, and so on with the succeeding rows, fastening through only
where the rows terminate against the outline. It is necessary to keep
the stitches very loose, as each row has a tendency to narrow. When
the form is covered draw the last row in place and fasten it by a row
of buttonhole stitches taken through the fabric like the first. It is
possible to work back and forth. It is well to reverse the needle and
send it through the loops eye end first, to avoid splitting the silk.
The same form of stitch may also be taken through the material. See
Fig. VI _c_.
[Illustration: FIG. VI _d._