=Now, can you make a porch cushion?= The porch cushion (Fig. 83) can be made of a strip of crash or of a piece of bagging, 1 yard long and 16 inches wide. Hem one end with a 1 inch hem and the other with a ½-inch hem, turning both to wrong side. Fold so that the 1 inch hem overlaps the ½-inch hem. Pin carefully. This makes a kind of envelope and it can be filled later with a cushion of bran or excelsior or feathers. Fold so that the overlapping of hems comes about 4 inches from one end of the cushion. After folding and pinning, baste carefully through the two thicknesses of material. Work the blanket stitch all around four sides with the heavy brown linen or cotton thread. Use the same block pattern as for the table cover. The cushion is kept closed with three or four snaps sewed on the hems. These cushions can be made any size for hammock or for porch use. Mrs. Stark liked Mollie's so well that she made a whole set for her porch, and used old bags for this purpose. [Illustration: FIG. 83.--The porch cushion, showing the blanket stitch in block pattern, and the opening near one end.] =Can you think of any pretty articles to make for the fair or for surprise gifts on which the blanket stitch can be used?= Have you ever scalloped the edges of doilies with plain scallop? The white linen can be cut in circles to fit the size of the plates and the edge marked in scallops by using a spool. The stitch is exactly the same, but the stitches are taken very close together and cover the two lines of the marked scallop which indicate the depth. Doilies are very useful instead of a tablecloth. They are easily laundered and save the heavy washing. A bare wooden table which is kept clean and oiled is very attractive when set with doilies. (See _Food and Health_, page 73). Can you make a set sometime as a surprise for mother's Christmas gift? [Illustration: FIG. 84.--Blanket stitch made close together for a scalloped edge.] Pincushion tops, bureau covers, table covers, tray covers, centerpieces, can all be made with this useful stitch. EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 1. Draw a picture on the blackboard of the blanket stitch. 2. Bring to school some article on which the blanket stitch is used in some way. Have an exhibit of all the articles brought. LESSON 7 LEARNING TO MAKE THE CROSS-STITCH Did your grandmother ever tell you how she learned to sew when she was a girl? Have you seen her sewing sampler? Shall we learn the stitch she used on her sampler? [Illustration: _Courtesy of Metropolitan Museum of Art._ FIG. 85.--Two samplers of long ago.]