Let the children themselves discover the knot, the short
stitch immediately following the knot, the long stitches and
short spaces (how long?), and the back stitch at the end.
What is the advantage of a very short stitch at the begin-
ning ? Why is it finished with a back stitch ?
Show them with the worsted and cloth how to take each
of these stitches. Show them the proper method of holding
the muslin (over the first two fingers of the left hand).
Let them baste.
Show them samples of even basting. Let them compare
the two. What is the difference ? What is the advantage
of even basting ? (Greater security.) Of uneven basting ?
(Greater speed.)
Give them the opportunity to practise.
Lesson III
Hemming
Facts. — For hemming, the cloth is folded twice, the
width of each turn depending upon the material and the ob-
ject of the hem. For practice hemming in school, the
first turn should be one-quarter inch and the second one
inch. The cloth should be turned and then carefully
basted with the stitches close to the lower edge of the fold.
The needle is pushed through the fold of the hem, slanting
toward the left. Draw the needle through, leaving about
378
HANDBOOK OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE
one-half inch of the thread still through the muslin (111. C).
The second and third stitches, also, are taken only through
the fold of the hem, but the needle slants toward the right
(111. D). All the remaining stitches are taken through the
three thicknesses of the material with the needle slanting
toward the right. These stitches must be perfectly even.
Illustration C
The muslin should be held over the first finger of the left
hand with the needle slanting toward the thumb of the left
hand.
Hemming is ended by taking three little stitches one
over the other.
MENDING
379
If the thread breaks in hemming, cut it off about one-half
inch from the last stitch taken. Then commence Avith a
new thread as at first.
Method. — As before provided, abundant samples, black-
board drawings, and worsted demonstrations.
Teach the turning first with paper. This is not only
easier for them, but it gives them the necessary practice
Illustration D
without soiling the material. Require them to test the
widths with a ruler.
When the turn has been made with the material, let them
baste it neatly, first stvidying a basted (but unhemmed)
sample.
380
HANDBOOK OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE
Examine tlie laemnied sample. In this tlie stitches
should be very large and made with thread of a contrasting
color. It is an advantage to have the material thin, that
they may hold it to the light, thus gaining a clear under-
standing of the stitch. Show them how to begin the
hemming. Let them practise.
Teach the mending of the thread.
Lesson IV
Hemmed Patch
Facts. — Cutting paper model for hemmed patch. Cut a
square of paper 4i inches to represent garment to be patched.
Illustration E
Cut paper 4-|- by 3|- inches to represent patch to be put on.
Draw on both papers vertical and horizontal lines at same
distance apart to represent design to be matched. Fold the
MENDING
381
square twice diagonally and cut out small hole in centre.
Measure in one inch from edge of square on all four sides.
Fold patch to fit, taking care to match stripes, and pin it on
the wrong side.
Page 184
Presented as published in 1900. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Let the children themselves discover the knot, the short stitch immediately following the knot, the long stitches and short spaces (how long?), and the back stitch at the end. What is the advantage of a very short stitch at the beginning ? Why is it finished with a back stitch ?
Show them with the worsted and cloth how to take each of these stitches. Show them the proper method of holding the muslin (over the first two fingers of the left hand). Let them baste.
Show them samples of even basting. Let them compare the two. What is the difference ? What is the advantage of even basting ? (Greater security.) Of uneven basting ? (Greater speed.)
Give them the opportunity to practise.
Lesson III
Hemming
Facts. — For hemming, the cloth is folded twice, the width of each turn depending upon the material and the object of the hem. For practice hemming in school, the first turn should be one-quarter inch and the second one inch. The cloth should be turned and then carefully basted with the stitches close to the lower edge of the fold. The needle is pushed through the fold of the hem, slanting toward the left. Draw the needle through, leaving about
one-half inch of the thread still through the muslin (111. C). The second and third stitches, also, are taken only through the fold of the hem, but the needle slants toward the right (111. D). All the remaining stitches are taken through the three thicknesses of the material with the needle slanting toward the right. These stitches must be perfectly even.
Illustration C
The muslin should be held over the first finger of the left hand with the needle slanting toward the thumb of the left hand.
Hemming is ended by taking three little stitches one over the other.
If the thread breaks in hemming, cut it off about one-half inch from the last stitch taken. Then commence Avith a new thread as at first.
Method. — As before provided, abundant samples, blackboard drawings, and worsted demonstrations.
Teach the turning first with paper. This is not only easier for them, but it gives them the necessary practice
Illustration D
without soiling the material. Require them to test the widths with a ruler.
When the turn has been made with the material, let them baste it neatly, first stvidying a basted (but unhemmed) sample.
Examine the hemmed sample. In this tlie stitches should be very large and made with thread of a contrasting color. It is an advantage to have the material thin, that they may hold it to the light, thus gaining a clear understanding of the stitch. Show them how to begin the hemming. Let them practise.
Teach the mending of the thread.
Lesson IV
Hemmed Patch
Facts. — Cutting paper model for hemmed patch. Cut a square of paper 4i inches to represent garment to be patched.
Illustration E
Cut paper 4-|- by 3|- inches to represent patch to be put on. Draw on both papers vertical and horizontal lines at same distance apart to represent design to be matched. Fold the
square twice diagonally and cut out small hole in centre. Measure in one inch from edge of square on all four sides. Fold patch to fit, taking care to match stripes, and pin it on the wrong side.