aroquin 3327 et 3328, or Rouge-Cerise 3317 et
3318.[A]]

You then tack the two stuffs together and work all the outlines of the
pattern in Old German knotted stitch with ecru Fil a pointer D.M.C No.
20; that done, thread a tapestry needle with white Cordonnet 6 fils
D.M.C No. 1 or 2, slip it in between the two layers of stuff and secure
the end by two or three stitches; then push the twist quite close to
the knotted stitch and fasten it in between the two layers of stuff,
with small and very regular running stitches, in a fine pliable
material, such as Fil d'Alsace D.M.C on reels.

[Illustration: FIG. 876. PATTERN FOR PIQUE EMBROIDERY. MATERIALS:
Cordonnet 6 fils D.M.C Nos. 1 and 25, Fil d'Alsace D.M.C No. 100, Fil a
pointer D.M.C No. 30 and Fil a dentelle D.M.C No. 30.[A]]

Fill up in this manner all the ground of the pattern, leaving the
arabesques and the ornaments plain, or embellishing them with some kind
of lace or embroidery stitch.

When these stripes are intended for blinds, you can produce pretty
transparent effects in them by cutting away the underneath stuff, in
places.

ALPHABET IN SOUTACHE (braid) (figs. 877, 878, 879, 880, 881,
882).--This alphabet, which is one of the best of its kind, was taken
from a work published in Venice in 1662, by Giovan' Antonio Tagliente,
secretary and calligraphist to the Republic.

The letters lend themselves, better than any we know, to being executed
in Soutache D.M.C.

[Illustration: FIG. 877. LETTER T OF THE SOUTACHE ALPHABET. MODE OF
INTERLACING THE SOUTACHE.]

The sewing on of the braid is done with very small running stitches and
the interlacing with a tapestry needle, into which the braid is
threaded; both operations are shown in figs. 877 and 880. The embroidery
of the connecting bars, and the small leaves and tendrils that complete
the letter are explained in fig. 881, whilst fig. 882 represents the
letter A in its finished state.

For sewing on the braid, a fine soft material is the best, such as Soie
de coton D.M.C[A] and for embroidering the small accessories, Coton a
broder D.M.C No. 50[A].

[Illustration: FIG. 878. ALPHABET IN SOUTACHE. LETTERS A TO N.]

[Illustration: FIG. 879. ALPHABET IN SOUTACHE. LETTERS O TO Z.]

For the ears of corn in fig. 883, use either Soutache ecru, or
Jaune-d'Ocre 677 No. 2; for the marguerites, white Soutache No. 21/2 and
for the corn flowers, Soutache Bleu-Indigo 322 No. 2. Nothing could be
simpler than the mode of