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
That hurts
my fingers”
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.
right,
And quite
bewitching”
“This way?” asked Mary Frances, holding up her little hand.
Then Sewing Bird answered with bright eyes sparkling,
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.”
sighed
Mary
Frances
“Dear me!” sighed Mary Frances, “one can’t be perfect before one learns!”
“Try! Try again!” sang Sewing Bird, flapping her wings,
“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!”
just then sang Sewing Bird.
lesson is
Now at
an end”
“I forgot to ask,” said Mary Frances, “May I show Grandma, or tell her about—about our lessons?”
“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.”
sang Sewing Bird wisely. Suddenly—
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.
don’t you, dear?”