Two stitches of this kind, called twosided Italian and Holbein stitch respectively, are given in Diagram 3, but the stitches that can be used are really innumerable, and they can be combined in great variety according to the fancy of the embroidress.

Diagram 2. Three stitches usually worked on single-ply canvas. A. Tent stitch. B. Gobelin stitch. C. Florentine stitch

Two-sided Italian stitch (see Fig. a) is so called because when worked the stitch is the same on both sides. When pulled rather tightly it produces a set of slightly open squares. The colour may be varied, using one colour for the crossed stitches and another for the four stitches surrounding them.

Holbein stitch (Fig. b) forms a light tracery, and when repeated all over the surface makes an even diapering. The resulting spaces can be filled in with other designs.

Diagram 3. A. Two-sided Italian stitch. B. Holbein stiich

A Much Appreciated Fruit - A Panel for Wood-carving-the Beauty of a Natural Design - The Conventional Apple Design-curtain-holders-an Afternoon Teacloth-finishing off the Work

The apple design, as applied to a sofa-cushion. Much of the success of the work will depend upon the shading of leaves and fruit

An apple-branch drawn from Nature when the trees are laden with fruit makes a capital design for either fancy-work or wood-carving on a panel.

This can be conventionalised in many ways.

The first illustration depicts the corner of a sofa - cushion; it can be carried out with silk, crewels, or lustrine, on either satin, canvas, linen, or any other coarse material. Care should be taken to shade the leaves and fruit artistically. When possible, the worker should keep " the real thing " in front of her. Imagination is not a safe guide, although drawing from memory is very good practice.

Another illustrates a worked d'oyley. Nothing makes a more attractive present than a set of dessert d'oyleys, each one worked with a different fruit or flower. Take pains to do the French knots evenly. It is by attending to all these small but important points that a good workwoman is known.

Apples make a very satisfactory border. The bold pattern can be easily made to look most effective, especially if the apples are worked in different shades of colour. Curtain-holders look extremely well if thus decorated.

A handsome design is shown in the teacloth. The trees at each corner are connected by a trellis border worked in green silk. This design is best carried out in mallard silks on fine linen, the colour of the fruit being shown in shadings of orange.

Satin, embroidery, or crewel stitches may be used to advantage in the working out of all the designs enumerated. Keep the stitches small and even, and do not draw them too tightly. This especially refers to the solidly worked apples, leaves, etc. A great improvement to their appearance is to outline them in brown or black. These outlines should be executed in silk a degree finer than that used in the rest of the pattern, otherwise the outline is apt to look too heavy. Sometimes ordinary sewing cotton produces a good effect.

Study of apples and foliage from Nature. A good design for fancy-work or for wood-carving

An effective pattern for a border. The apples should be worked in different shades of colour

A great point in bringing all kinds of fancy-work to a satisfactory finish is to iron it well with a really hot iron. Do not iron the back of the work directly; place between the iron and the material a damp cloth, first carefully wringing it out.

Then a last word as to the making up. Designs, however well worked, look poor if the linings are ' skimped," or uneven. It is a poor economy to think a cheap lining is a saving. In reality it is a big mis-take, and mars the value and beauty of the outside. Also use pretty cords and laces to border your work.

The dessert d'oyley on this page is worthy of a superior edging of lace. Real Valenciennes may be bought quite reason-ably in England, although, if one has the good fortune to visit a lace factory in Belgium, it can be obtained still more cheaply.

An original and artistic treatment of the conventionalised apple-tree. This design would look well on each corner of an afternoon tsaclo:h

A sofa-cushion usually looks well with a frilled border of silk.

A charming set of dessert d'oyleys can be made by using a bold apple design with evenly worked French knots