Miss James helped Barbara to put the bobbin in its place, and to thread it into the shuttle. Ask your teacher to help you if you do not know how. 6. Put the shuttle back in the shuttle holder. 7. Turn the wheel and hold the upper thread. This will bring the under thread up through the little hole in the needle plate. Both threads should be on top before beginning to stitch. Now you are ready to begin to practice stitching with a thread. =Try to remember these things, while stitching with a thread=: 1. To treadle evenly. 2. To hold the material on the table at the left hand and to pass it on lightly. Do not pull it or push it with your left hand. 3. To turn corners evenly. Have the needle down in cloth. Raise the presser foot and turn the work. Put the foot down and continue. 4. Be sure to turn the wheel in the proper direction, or the thread will break. 5. Practice stitching parallel rows. Make good square corners. Use some scraps of cloth for this sewing, and practice at home. Those who have not practiced on the machine may do so during study periods, if there is time. We can move the machine into the coat room. EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 1. Barbara Oakes does not turn good square corners on her practice piece. Why? 2. Marjorie says her thread breaks every time she starts. Why? 3. Show some one how you can bring the under thread up through the needle plate, preparatory to stitching. 4. Practice threading the machine, following book directions if you do not know how. 5. Practice rows of good straight stitching. LESSON 8 THE FRENCH SEAM AND ITS USE What kind of seams shall we make on our nightdresses? How shall we finish the bottom? The Pleasant Valley girls did most of this at school in one lesson, but finished at home. [Illustration: FIG. 54.--The French seam. First sewing near raw edges.]