Hand sewing and the sewing machine

Hand work is of two kinds: work done standing and work done sitting. When sitting, feet are fully on the floor and body and head upright, otherwise a person tires fast and the body goes crooked. The work is held 25–30 cm from the eyes, with light coming from the left. Temporary rows (tacking) use a thread of a colour different from the fabric, permanent stitches use a thread matching the fabric; the thread end is knotted and fastened at the finish with 2–3 stitches in one spot. A thin fabric is laid over a thick one. Tools: a needle suited to the fabric, a thimble that fits the finger, scissors, tape measure, pattern, chalk or soap, pins. Needles are numbered 1 to 12; thin fabric takes 1–3, thick cloth 9–12. Thread numbers also match the fabric: 50–80 for thin, 30–40 for thick. Mereyka is the simplest kind of openwork embroidery: the lengthwise and crosswise threads are drawn out of the fabric, and the remaining threads are tied in groups to make little columns. Plain-weave fabric is used and held in a hoop. On a 130×130 cm cloth threads are drawn at the same width from the edge (so they do not break), with equal numbers of warp and weft; the pattern is made on all four edges. Edges finish with a fringe or a hem. Afterwards remove loose threads and iron through a damp cloth. Safety: needles, pins and scissors are kept in a box and counted after work; never stick a needle in the mouth, clothing or table edge; scissors are passed closed, handle first; if a needle breaks, do not lose the pieces, tell the teacher; use the iron only under the teacher or an adult.