“Never mind, we’ll look at your work. Very creditable, very creditable indeed, child! Such excellent stitches,” examining the little samplers, and finally the bath robe and kimono. “You certainly do take after me. To think that so spoiled a child should develop into such an excellent character! ‘Blood will tell!’ I’ve often said it―‘Blood will tell!’ What pretty material! By the way, child, where do you get the goods―if this is a secret?”
“Oh, Aunt Maria, Mother sent me this little trunk full of these pretty things; and this lovely, lovely doll, Mary Marie, to amuse myself with. She said she was so sorry not to be able to show me how to sew, and hopes to, when she comes home. Dear Mother! Won’t she be surprised?”
“Indeed she will,” said the old lady, examining the contents of the trunk. “But,” she sniffed, “I am compelled to say less beautiful goods would have answered the purpose. When I was a little girl―well, never mind! Have you learned to make button-holes?”
“I can make the stitch, I think,” answered Mary Frances, meekly.
“Well, I’ll teach you, child,” said Aunt Maria, getting a piece of muslin ready. “Now, let us begin to learn how to make
All button-holes should be worked in a double fold of cloth. Use for practice, a piece of muslin six inches long and four inches wide. Fold through the center. Turn in and baste along edges.
With button-hole scissors, cut into the goods one quarter of an inch from folded edge. Cut along a thread of the goods to make it straight. Make opening a little longer than the button is broad. For button-hole, use No. 40 cotton, No. 8 needle. Barring and overcasting are often done with a finer thread than that used for the button-holing.
2. Put the goods over first finger, left hand―folded edge toward you.
3. At the end of button-hole farthest from folded edge of cloth, insert needle between the double cloth, bringing it out at A. (See picture.)
4. Point needle down at B; bring it out at A.
5. Point needle down at C; bring it out at D. Do this twice.
6. Point needle down at B; bring it out at A.
Overcast the edge on each side and end of the button-hole, catching the long “barring” threads.
1. With goods over forefinger of left hand, at end of button-hole farthest from the folded edge of the cloth, insert needle between the muslin; pull through, leaving a small end of thread between muslin.