Paragraph 131. The satin stitch consists of over and over stitches taken very close together so the threads will lie one against the other. When the satin stitch is to be made with fine thread the design is usually padded, that is, the inside portion or ground work of the design is filled with rows of running, etching or chain stitches, to give a rounded appearance to the finished work. The beauty of the work depends much upon the evenness and closeness of the stitches. Before undertaking to make this stitch study carefully Figure 33, which shows the top leaf in the design completed, one simply outlined, and the next one two-thirds padded and partially satin stitched. To make this stitch, fasten the thread by taking two or three running stitches under the padding on the wrong side, then bring the needle through to the right side of the material on the line at the left-hand side of the bottom of the design. Insert the needle on the opposite side of the design bringing it through on the line very close to where the first stitch came through; allow the thread to fall smoothly over the design; see Figure 33. Repeat, simply sewing over and over keeping the stitches very close together. It will be necessary occasionally to take the thumb of the left hand and smooth the stitches. The beauty of this stitch lies in its satiny appearance when completed.

This stitch is used for embroidery work. Made with fine thread it is called French Embroidery, and is used on dainty waists, lingerie and baby garments. Made with coarser thread, it is used in a great variety of designs, to decorate sofa cushions, table runners, heavy dress materials and any material which is embroidered with coarse thread.