The tablecloth and napkins

Appliqué is a method of sewing or sticking one piece of fabric onto another; the image is given in a simplified, conventional form. The subject is chosen to suit the age and taste of the people who will use the item, and all the pieces serve one composition. A tablecloth is made of close-woven, easily washed cotton or linen; a lining may be added at the back. Our project: a 120×120 cm tablecloth with 5 flowers of the same shape (for example bellflowers) in the centre, cut from three matching fabrics. Order of work: a card template of the flower is made; the centre of the cloth and the places of the flowers are marked with chalk; the template is traced onto the fabrics, each outline is first stitched densely with zigzag and then trimmed close to the stitching so the edge does not fray; the flowers are pinned in place, tacked by hand and stitched down on the machine; the temporary threads are removed and the work is ironed; finally the lining is joined. The overcast stitch decorates and strengthens the edges of tablecloths and napkins; in thick coloured thread it looks like a ribbon along the edge, and its width ranges from a few millimetres to 1.5 cm depending on the size of the item. To sew it, part of the edge is stretched in a hoop, embroidery floss is used in several strands in a long-eyed needle, and the hoop is moved on when one part is done; the finished work is ironed from the back. Safety: handle fine needles and the hoop carefully; use scissors, never teeth, for thread ends; machine and iron only under the teacher; count chalk pieces and pins. Tell the teacher about any fabric allergy or dye sensitivity.