The Independent-News, Volume 110, Number 7, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 19 July 1984 — Page 8

8

- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - JULY 10, 1984

Here’s How lb Make a 'Chicken Scratch Pinafore*

IF YOU’D LIKE to make a really unique craft for your daughter, granddaughter or sister, why not try this technique called “chicken scratch”? Team it up with gingham (looks great in a child’s pinafore) and it becomes a perfect palette for a lacy, little-girl bodice. The best thing about chicken scratch is that the technique is easy and the final results look impressive. Suzanne McNeill of McNeill’s Needlework and Crafts in Fort Worth, Texas designed the motif and the pinafore at right, which is cut to geometric shapes and requires no pattern. The project appeared in a recent issue of Country Handcrafts magazine. Your precious girl will be the envy of her neighborhood or school class when she wears the pinafore you’ll make with these easy-to-follow instructions. Materials needed: Chart; 3 yards blue gingham with 1/8-inch check; 3 yards 1 1/2-inch white gathered eyelet lace; white thread; one skein each of blue, white and pink six-strand embroidery floss; two 1/2-inch buttons; chenille needle, No. 20; embroidery hoop. Finished size: Fits child's sizes 3 through 6X. Stltchery: Cut a 6 1/2-inch square from gingham fabric. Fold gingham square in half from top to bottom and then in half again from side to side. Gently pinch fabric along folds to crease slightly. Crease lines will intersect at center point. Mark this point with a straight pin. Locate center of chart. Count the number of squares on chart above and to left of center point. Count the same number of squares on gingham to locate starting point. Use two strands of six-strand embroidery floss to work design. Place fabric in an embroidery hoop so it is taut. Work stitches according to chart. To start stitching, make a tight knot in floss. Bring thread up from back of work at starting point. Each stitch is pulled tight but not so tight that fabric puckers. End floss by tying a knot at back of work. Trim all long hanging threads. There are three different types of squares on gingham fabric. Some squares are dark, some are light and some are white. Different stitches are worked on different colored squares. bah <=> White «=> W A m u m Dark starburst: Work stitches on white squares with floss that matches color of gingham (blue) Symbol on chart is • To make a starburst, come up at 1, go down at 2, up at 3, down at 4, up at 5. down at 6, up at 7 and down at 8 See diagram at right Light starburst: Work same as dark star-

burst but with white floss worked on dark squares Symbol on chart is X. Straight stitch: Work stitches on lightcolor squares with white floss Symbol on chart is — or I. To work a straight stitch, come up at 1 and go down at 2 Work stitch in same direction as symbol on chart It is worked the full width or length of a square at midpoint. Diamond stitch: Bring thread to front of work under a straight stitch; when stitch is complete, return thread to back of work at same spot Use white floss and weave under four straight stitches, twice, to form a diamond Do not pull floss too tight Symbol on chart is o. Flowers on design are worked with pink floss and lazy daisy stitch If fabric has been soiled during stitching wash it in warm water and rinse several times Lay piece, stitched side down, on a terry towel and iron dry. Pinafore: Cut a second 6 1/2-inch gingham square Sew to stitched piece, along top edge, with right sides facing Choose seam allowance according to desired size of pinafore The larger the seam allowance the smaller the pinafore Cut two 2- x 24-inch strips of gingham These and all other strips can be cut either on the straight of grain or on the bias Strips on pinafore shown were cut on the bias Fold under both long edges and press to make a binding. Cut two 4- x 48-inch strips for ruffling Fold strips in half lengthwise, right sides facing, and sew both short edges Turn pieces right side out and press. Sew gathering stitches on long raw edges and pull gathers so each strip measures 24 inches Cut two 24-inch lengths of eyelet ruffling. Lay one eyelet piece over one ruffle piece, with right sides up and raw edges matching. Bind raw edges of ruffles with 2- x 24-inch strips Topstitch folded edge of binding to stitchery _। ['fsl / / JFyj rfw/■’ •' • r '' l!L it Topstitching Skirt: Cut one 4 1/2- x 22-inch strip for waistband, two 4 1/2- x 29-inch strips for sashes, one 11- x 45-inch skirt piece, one 2x 45-inch binding strip and one 4- x 90-inch ruffle strip Cut a 45-inch piece of eyelet Fold under both long edges of binding stop and press Fold ruffle strip in half lengthwise, right sides out; press, and sew gathering stitches on long raw edge. Pull gathers so piece measures 45 inches. Topstitch binding over gathered edge of ruffle and eyelet as (Country Handcrafts is a unique magazine that's filled cover-to-cover with fresh, original handcraft projects. Every project in every issue is shown in full color, and every pattern is provided FULL-SIZE. This article, photo and chart are samples of the type of material that appears in each issue of Country Handcrafts.)

Couithy EXTRA

Fl

ip, ’ 1 >4« .... 1111 Mi wWP Dress up your special girl in this delightful “Chicken Scratch Pinafore” by using the easy technique described at left. The article and full-color photograph appeared recently in Country Handcrafts.

jra a a a a ajy^a a a a a a # a» m a a a a aiaiaia a a a a aTa* e-o— Q—o—< •—o -i .M&* ■. JB9.* • ■ aiw a a a a aiaiaia a a a a aia* • • t m a a*a?a*a a m a a a? t aa am a a^aja^a aMa aa? JtPJi a a a wat&aa a a a a*a* ® * a।era’ W‘« aja a a a a aia<a<a a a a a a«at a « a M a a’iia'a a m a a*a. 'a e a ala a a ata a a m a a a? a a a a ata? J^SSJ 99 ^^ 9 ^ 9 ^ 9 ■ a^mi a a a maTiT t aia aa a a a^aja’a a a a*a?a! a a a a a a a*a«a a a a a a a*e*

before. Topstitch binding over bottom edge of skirt. Fold both sash strips in half, right sides facing Stitch edges together, leaving one short side open for turning Turn right side out and press Fold waistband in half lengthwise, right side out Fold under raw edges and press. Gather top of skirt to 21 inches. Stitch waistband to top of skirt Stitch one sash strip to each end of waistband. Topstitch top of waistband to bottom edge of bib so bib is centered Make two buttonholes, each 3 inches from ends of waistband Sew buttons to ends of shoulder straps Adjust location of buttons according to size of child

Starburst Straight 4 ^slV7 2 s,l,ch 0 5^ 06 <=> 2cs 1 ry^ 3 q Diamond Z z4^ s stitch Stemv /j stitch Lazy if daisy

(For more patterns and projects on Chicken Scratch, contact Suzanne McNeill, P.O. Box 14069-CX6, Ft. Worth TX 76117.) WANT MORE? You can get a sample copy of an entire magazine full of articles and patterns like these, including several full-size, foldout patterns, for just $2.95. Or you can get a year’s subscription (6 issues) for only $12.95. Both from Country Handcrafts, Suite 240 X, Box 572, Milwaukee W1 53201.