Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c27.27

c27.27

*Seams* No. 8 is a feather stitch used occasionally for filling in a space; 8A is the back of the stitch. No. 9 shows the method employed in joining the seams of a *tuppoṭiya*. The seams are sewn close together though not overlapping, and at each end the seam widens out into a kind of gusset, the space being filled up with a buttonhole stitch worked as shown, though often with much thicker and closer stitches. At the end of the seam this gusset may be one or two inches wide. It is a most satisfactory way of joining two pieces of cloth; there is no puckering and it is extremely strong. A simple cross stitch is rare.