straight lines to the opposite side and carry other
threads across them in a similar manner so that the whole surface be
divided into squares.

[Illustration: FIG. 887. PATTERN REDUCED BY MARKING OUT THE GROUND IN
SMALL SQUARES.]

It is needless to say that if you have to trace a pattern from a mounted
piece of work you cannot stretch it on a board; with a little invention
however some way can always be found of planting the pins so as not to
injure the work.

[Illustration: FIG. 888. PATTERN IN SOUTACHE. Original size.]

[Illustration: FIG. 889. PATTERN IN FIG. 888 DRAWN OUT IN THE WIDTH.]

[Illustration: FIG. 890. PATTERN IN FIG. 888 COMPRESSED IN THE WIDTH.]

TO ALTER THE WIDTH OF A PATTERN RETAINING THE ORIGINAL HEIGHT (figs.
888, 889, 890).--Sometimes it is necessary to lengthen out a pattern
without however altering its height. In this case you modify the shape
of the square and make long or narrow squares, according to the general
shape of the design you wish to reproduce. Fig. 888 represents a
pattern in Soutache D.M.C, marked out in squares; in fig. 889 the
squares are lengthened out a third beyond their original size and the
pattern is expanded; in fig. 890, the squares are compressed to a third
less than their original size.

This method of subdividing patterns greatly facilitates the alterations
they have so often to undergo and we are sure that there are few amongst
those who have any real aptitude for needlework, who cannot draw enough
to be able to copy the contents of a square.

TO PREPARE THE PASTE FOR APPLIQUE WORK.--It may seem strange to devote
a separate paragraph to such an apparently simple operation; but in
applique work it is a most important one, as not only the stuff on which
the work is done but all the expensive accessories are liable to be
spoilt by paste that has been badly prepared.

Put some wheaten (not rice) starch into a vessel with a rounded bottom,
pour on just enough water to dissolve the starch and stir it with a
wooden spoon till it becomes perfectly smooth.

In the meantime put about 1/4 of a pint of clean water on the fire to
boil and when it boils add to it a little powdered pitch or carpenter's
glue, in quantity about the size of a pea and pour in the starch,
stirring it the whole time. When the mixture has boiled up several times
take it off the fire and go on stirring it till it gets cold, otherwise
lumps will form in it, which as we specially pointed out in the