ery, depends on the firmness of this sub-stratum
of threads. The outlining and the padding of the different rounded and
pointed scallops, as well as of other figures that occur in white
embroidery, are illustrated in figs. 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 187, 189,
190 and 191.

BLANKET, OR BUTTON-HOLE STITCH (fig. 171).--Work from left to right;
run in a foundation line, hold down the working thread below the run
line with the right thumb; insert the needle above and bring it out
below the run line but above the working thread; tighten the loop thus
formed, without drawing up the stuff, and continue in this manner,
setting your stitches closely and regularly, side by side.

[Illustration: FIG. 171. BLANKET, OR BUTTON-HOLE STITCH.]

STRAIGHT STEM STITCH (fig. 172).--Work from left to right. The needle
must always be inserted above the run thread, and brought out underneath
it. In the case of a very delicate pattern, take up only just as much
stuff as the run thread covers.

[Illustration: FIG. 172. STRAIGHT STEM STITCH.]

SLOPING STEM STITCH (fig. 173).--Work without a run thread; insert the
needle from right to left in a slanting direction, under 1 or 2
horizontal threads, and 5 or 6 perpendicular ones; so that each stitch
reaches halfway back to the last.

[Illustration: FIG. 173. SLOPING STEM STITCH.]

This kind of stem stitch is chiefly used for the fine upstrokes of
letters and numbers, and for linen embroidery.

BACK-STITCHING (fig. 174).--Back-stitching, that is small, even
stitches set closely together, is done from right to left, along a
straight line, and is chiefly used for filling in the centres of
letters, leaves and flowers.

[Illustration: FIG. 174. BACK-STITCHING.]

CROSSED BACK-STITCH (figs. 175 and 176).--Used, generally speaking,
only for very transparent materials; it forms a close seam of
cross-stitch, on the wrong side, and two straight rows of back-stitching
on the right. To work, insert the needle as if for an ordinary
back-stitch, pass it under the stuff, sloping it a little towards the
second outline of the pattern, and draw it out almost in front of the
first stitch. After making a back-stitch, pass the needle up again under
the stuff and bring it out at the spot where the next stitch is to be.

[Illustration: FIG. 175. CROSSED BACK-STITCH. RIGHT SIDE.]

[Illustration: FIG. 176. CROSSED BACK-STITCH. WRONG SIDE.]

Fig. 176 shows the interlacing of the stitches on the wrong side, and
the