| Use fancy stitches to making a sewing project that is | | | | unique. |
| only one of its kind. And nothing is more satisfying than | | | | Twisted running stitch: Outline the line of design with |
| being able to create individual pieces for your home or | | | | running stitches, and with contrasting thread go over |
| as gifts for friends and family. | | | | and under stitches, using a blunt needle, but not through |
| Here are the easy to follow instructions to make a | | | | fabric, to get an effect like twisted cord. |
| small drawstring bag. Or by using quilting you can | | | | Chain stitch: Bring thread out from wrong side, insert |
| make it a beautiful little evening bag. The bag becomes | | | | needle at same point and take a stitch, holding loop of |
| thicker as a thin layer of cotton wadding is used and | | | | thread with left thumb. For a different effect, whip |
| the stitching gives a decorative effect. Decorate the | | | | over chains in a contrasting color. Used for stitching in |
| bag with either a French knot or a nice bead and you | | | | a line especially on peasant type clothes. |
| have a home sewing project to be proud of. | | | | Couching: this is actually sewing on a thread or cord |
| Although using fancy stitches may be time consuming, | | | | for decoration. Fasten a heavy thread on wrong side, |
| but the results can be stunning. Below are a variety of | | | | leave loose on right side. With a second thread, usually |
| fancy stitches to make this small drawstring bag | | | | finer, tack it in place at regular intervals with small |
| unique. | | | | stitches. Used often to outline an edge. |
| The instructions for a small drawstring bag are: | | | | Magic or checkered chain is made like chain with two |
| - Cut out piece 12 x 28 inch and lining piece 12 x 26 | | | | contrasting threads in needle. Keep one color to left |
| inch. | | | | holding thread under thumb, make stitch with other |
| - Fold in half crosswise, right sides together, and stitch | | | | color. Bring second color to the left for the next stitch |
| ½ inch from edge up two long sides on both pieces. | | | | and hold under thumb. Continue. Stitches of chain are in |
| - Turn right side out and put lining in bag, wrong sides | | | | alternating colors. |
| together. | | | | Quilting: Baste fabric to cheesecloth or muslin with thin |
| - Pin together at side seams and bottom, and baste | | | | layer of cotton wadding between. Draw design on |
| lining to bag at top to hold in place. | | | | wrong side and stitch on wrong side. Do all the lines in |
| - Turn down 1/2 inch on top, baste, then turn down two | | | | one direction first, then the cross lines. Use long |
| inches, baste and stitch. | | | | stitches and heavy, slightly loose bobbin thread for |
| - Clip one stitch of seam on top hem on both sides | | | | puffy effect. Machine quilter attachment may be used. |
| and stitch two lines above and below opening 1/2 inch | | | | Do not press. |
| apart. | | | | French knot: Bring needle up from wrong side, wrap |
| - Cut two strips of ribbon or tape 30 inches long. Insert | | | | thread around needle one or more times, and insert |
| one with bodkin or safety pin through one side and | | | | needle close to point where it came out, keeping |
| draw all the way through, pulling out on same side. | | | | thread taut to prevent looping. Used to fill in spaces |
| - Do the same with the other on the other side. | | | | and to make centers of flowers. Or in case of quilting |
| - Knot ribbon edges or fasten with decorative stitches, | | | | in the cross stitching. |
| and pull to draw. | | | | These are only a few ideas of how fancy stitching |
| Some fancy stitches that make your drawstring bag | | | | can make your sewing projects only one of its kind. |