“Back from the edge I step in, you know, Towards you, ’neath the edge, I stick out my toe. Then I slide o’er the thread You are holding for me; Blanket-stitching is pretty, Quite easy, you see.” [Illustration: Blanket-stitch] They stitched from left to right, all around the neckline of the dress, fastening the thread securely at the end. Then stitched around each sleeve edge in turn the same way. The blanket-stitches made a pretty finish to hold the hems around the neck and sleeves and also made a nice firm edge. It was great fun holding the thread while Crewel jumped through the cloth, stuck his toe out under the edge and over the thread. “It’s just like jumping rope,” said Margaret, “and how fast it goes, too!” “You have to be careful to take even jumps from one stitch to the other,” said the King, “or it won’t look so pretty. If you wish, My Lady, you can make a different pattern by varying the length of the stitches.” “It’s been great fun. Now my doll’s dress is trimmed. Thank you so much, dear Crewel,” said Margaret as she snipped the last thread. [Illustration: “Blanket-stitching is pretty Quite easy you see”] That graceful fellow bowed and sang: “You’re very welcome, Lady Dear, ’Tis fun for me, you know; And while I’m skipping in and out, You’re learning how to sew!” [Illustration] Sir Bodkin looked very happy and very proud of his artistic subject. The Crewel One stepped to the table and into the tomato pincushion. In his eye was hanging some of the pink wool thread. “To fasten your doll’s dress at the back, I would suggest that you use ties of ribbon or of the wool thread,” said Sir Bodkin. “Which do you prefer, My Lady?” “I think tie-strings of the wool thread would be pretty,” replied Margaret. “Then cut two lengths, long enough to tie in a bow, and fasten an end of each to each side of the neck at the back,” Sir Bodkin said. [Illustration] Margaret measured the thread, put each strand separately in Crewel’s eye, then he sewed each piece securely to the dress. Margaret slipped the finished dress on her doll, tied the strings, and held her up to be admired. The little One-Eyed Fairies looked very much pleased. Margaret thanked them and pulled all the threads out of their eyes so they could rest better in the needle-book, in the work-basket. When they were out of sight, Sir Bodkin, too, waved a fond farewell and disappeared. CHAPTER VI OLD DOCTOR DARNER [Illustration] “Ouch! my knee. Such a spill! Oh! look, too, at the big hole in my stocking!” cried Margaret limping in from school one day. “Whatever shall I do to mend it?”