ver a space with regular vertical satin stitches (A on the sampler,
Illustration 36), the best way of proceeding is to begin in the centre
of the space and work from left to right. That half done, begin again in
the centre and work from right to left.

In order to make sure of a crisp and even edge to your forms, always let
the needle enter the stuff there, as it is not easy to find the point
you want from the back.

In working a second row of stitches, proceed as before, only planting
your needle between the stitches already done. Fasten off with a few
tiny surface stitches and cut off the silk on the right side of the
stuff: it will be worked over.

[Sidenote: TO WORK B, 36.]

To cover a space with horizontal satin stitches (B on sampler), begin at
the top, and work from left to right. The longer stretches there are
not, of course, crossed at one stitch; they take several stitches,
dovetailed, as it were, so as not to give lines.

The easiest, most satisfactory, and generally most effective way of
working flat satin stitch is in oblique or radiating lines (C, D, E),
working in those instances, as in the case of A, from the centre,
first from left to right and then from right to left.

[Illustration: 36. SATIN-STITCH SAMPLER.]

[Illustration: 37. SATIN-STITCH SAMPLER (BACK).]

Stems, narrow leaflets, and the like, are best worked always in stitches
which run diagonally and not straight across the form.

In the case of stems or other lines curved and worked obliquely, the
stitches must be very much closer on the inner side of the curve than on
the outside: occasionally a half-stitch may be necessary to keep the
direction of the lines right, in which case the inside end of the
half-stitch must be quite covered by the stitch next following.

[Illustration: 38. SATIN-STITCH IN COARSE TWISTED SILK.]

Satin-stitch is seen at its best when worked in floss. Coarse or twisted
silk looks coarse in this stitch, as may be seen by comparing the petal
D in the sampler, Illustration 36, with the petal in twisted silk here
given (38). Marvellously skilful as are the needle-workers of India
(Illustration 39), they get rather broken lines when they work in thick
twisted silk. The precision of line a skilled worker can get in floss is
wonderful. An Oriental will get sweeping lines as clean and firm as if
they had been drawn with a pen, and this not merely in the case of an
outline, but in voided lines of which each side has t