gold thread that you wind round the
stalk.

[Illustration: FIG. 237. THE SPINDLE.]

THE PRESSERS (figs. 238 and 239).--These, so called 'pressers', are
small rectangular boards with a handle in the middle. The convex one,
fig. 238, should be 15 c/m. long by 9 broad; the other, fig. 239, which
is quite flat, should be 32 c/m. by 20.

[Illustration: FIG. 238. CONVEX PRESSER, FOR PRESSING THE STUFF ON THE
WRONG SIDE.]

[Illustration: FIG. 239. FLAT PRESSER FOR LAYING ON THE PATTERN.]

Having cut out your pattern in cartridge paper, lay it down, on the
wrong side, upon a board thinly spread with embroidery paste. Let it get
thoroughly impregnated with the paste and then transfer it carefully to
its proper place on the stuff; press it closely down with the large
presser, and with the little convex one rub the stuff firmly, from
beneath, to make it adhere closely to the pasted pattern; small, pointed
leaves and flowers will be found to need sewing down besides, as you
will observe in fig. 242, where each point is secured by stitches. The
embroidery should not be begun until the paste is perfectly dry, and the
pattern adheres firmly to the stuff.

THE KNIFE (fig. 240).--Most gold embroideries require a foundation of
stout cartridge paper, and, in the case of very delicate designs, the
paper should further be covered with kid, pasted upon it.

[Illustration: FIG. 240. THE KNIFE. REDUCED SCALE.]

Transfer the design on to the paper or kid, in the manner described in
the concluding chapter, and cut it out with the knife. You can only make
very short incisions with this tool, which should be kept extremely
sharp and held, in cutting, with the point outwards, and the rounded
part towards you, as shown in the drawing.

TRAY TO CONTAIN THE MATERIALS (fig. 241).--Cut out as many divisions
in a thin board, or sheet of stout cardboard, as you will require
materials for your embroidery; these include not only gold thread of all
kinds, but likewise beads and spangles of all sorts and sizes as well as
bright and dead gold and silver purl, or bullion, as it is also called.
For the pieces of purl alone, which should be cut ready to hand, you
should have several divisions, in order that the different lengths may
be kept separate.

[Illustration: FIG. 241. TRAY TO CONTAIN THE MATERIALS.]

USE OF THE SPINDLE (fig. 242).--Gold embroidery thread should be wound
double upon the spindle. It is laid backwards and forwards and secured
w