, pulled in place, and
measured carefully. When the bags have been cut out, the sides should be
basted.

LESSON V: BAGS--Continued

_Sewing up the seams with a running-stitch and a back-stitch._

SUBJECT-MATTER

Running is done by passing the needle in and out of the material at
regular intervals. Small, even stitches and spaces should follow
consecutively on both sides of the material. The stitches should be much
shorter than those used for basting, the length being determined largely
by the kind of cloth used.

When running is combined with a back-stitch, two or more
running-stitches and one back-stitch are taken alternately. The
back-stitch is a stitch taken backward on the upper side of the cloth,
the needle being put back each time into the end of the last stitch and
brought out the same distance beyond the last stitch.

PRELIMINARY PLAN

The teacher should be sure that all the pupils are ready to report,
having the sides of their bags basted ready for stitching.

METHOD OF WORK

The teacher should first demonstrate the running-stitch with the
back-stitch, and the pupils should begin to sew the sides of the bag,
using this stitch. They should commence sewing three quarters of an inch
from the top of the bag, so that there will be a space left for slits in
the hem through which to run the cord.[A] The seams will doubtless have
to be finished outside of the class hour, and may be assigned for
completion before the next lesson.

[Illustration: _Fig._ 6.--Running-stitch with a back-stitch]

[A] The draw-string, or cord, is to be run through the hem
from the inside of the bag, and it will be necessary to
leave three quarters of an inch of space at the ends of
the seams, to provide slits as outlets for the cord.

LESSON VI: BAGS--Continued

_Overcasting the seams and turning the hem at the top of the bag._

SUBJECT-MATTER

Overcasting is done by taking loose stitches over the raw edge of the
cloth, to keep it from ravelling or fraying.

PRELIMINARY PLAN

The teacher should be sure that all the pupils are ready to report,
having the sides of their bags neatly sewed with the running-stitch.

[Illustration: _Fig._ 7.--Overcasting]

METHOD OF WORK

The teacher should demonstrate the method of overcasting and explain its
use. She should have the pupils trim the edges of their seams neatly and
overcast them carefully. After the seams have been overcast, she sho