The
flowers in flat stitch, are worked alternately, in Rouge-Geranium 351
and 352, and the leaves alternately, in Vert-de-gris 474 and 475; the
centres of the flowers are worked in knot stitch, in Jaune-Rouille 308.

[Illustration: FIG. 228. STRIPE WORKED IN FLAT STITCH.
MATERIALS--According to the stuff: Fil a dentelle D.M.C, Cordonnet 6
fils D.M.C or Coton a repriser D.M.C[A]

COLOURS--For the flowers: Rouge-Geranium 351 and 352.--For the knot
stitch: Jaune-Rouille 308.--For the foliage: Vert-de-gris 474 and
475.[A]]

BOUQUET IN STRAIGHT AND ENCROACHING FLAT STITCH (fig. 229). As we have
already observed, it is by no means easy to arrange the colours in an
embroidery of this kind, so as to obtain a really artistic effect.
Whether the design be a conventional one or not, the great point is to
put in the lights and shadows at the right place. If you want to make a
faithful copy of a natural flower, take the flower itself, or a coloured
botanical drawing of it, and if possible, a good black and white drawing
of the same, match the colours in 6 or 7 shades, by the flower itself,
keeping them all rather paler in tone, and take the black and white
drawing as a guide for the lights and shadows. The colours for the
leaves and petals, which should always be worked from the outside,
should be chosen with a view to their blending well together. The
stamens and the centres of the flowers should be left to the last, but
the veins and ribs of the leaves, should always be put in before the
grounding.

[Illustration: FIG. 229. BOUQUET IN STRAIGHT AND ENCROACHING FLAT
STITCH. MATERIALS: Coton a repriser D.M.C No. 50. COLOURS--For the
forget-me-nots: Bleu-Indigo 312, 322 and 334.--For the other flowers:
Jaune-Rouille 365 and 366, Violet-Mauve 376, 316 and 377, Vert-Pistache
369.--For the foliage: Vert-de-Gris 474, Vert-Mousse 468, 469, 471 and
472.--For the stalks: Brun-Havane 455 and 457.[A]]

For embroideries of this kind, suitable materials must be selected; the
more delicate and minute the design, and the more varied the colouring,
the softer and finer should be the quality of the material employed.
Specially to be recommended, as adapted to every form of stitch and as
being each of them capable of being subdivided, are Filoselle,
Marseille, open Chinese silk and Coton a repriser D.M.C.[A].

FLOWERS EMBROIDERED IN THE CHINESE MANNER (fig. 230).--All Chinese
embroidery displays undoubted originality and wonderful skill and
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