The Stitch Beside the Stitch

Ages 15-18

Neta's practice cloth lies beside Moriah's, the seam ripper between them. In Neta's line of stitches, one is longer than the others and sits slightly to the side.

Neta holds her needle above it.

"Leave it." Moriah lays a finger beside the long stitch.

Neta puts her needle through the cloth beyond it.

Moriah makes a stitch in her own cloth. It comes out long and slightly to the side.

She works her needle back through the hole and draws the thread out with one pull.

She makes the stitch again. This time it is shorter.

The next stitch comes out long and slightly to the side.

Moriah lays her cloth beside Neta's, edge to edge. Her hand stops over the seam ripper.

She picks up her needle instead and puts it through her cloth beyond the long stitch.

The long stitch stays on her cloth, beside Neta's.