1. SINGLE SILKS
(1) Spread the silk flat on the table and fold the four corners to the middle (Fig. 1); do the same with the four corners of the square thus made. Repeat the operation, and do it a fourth time. A small compact bundle is thus obtained, which can be impaled on the point of a long pin—or better, a needle under the edge of the coat or vest. It can then readily be pulled away by the fingers and palmed when required. This method should be used when loading a silk into a tube of any kind, the bundle being pushed in with the folded corners on the top.
(2) Fold three corners to the middle as in Fig. 2. Fold the sides AB and CD to the middle. Repeat the folding operation twice; E; then fold one side over the other, making a band. Roll this up tightly, beginning at the end opposite to E. Secure the bundle with a pin or needle as in (1).
(3) Fold two diagonal corners to the middle; fold these doubled portions in half and repeat until, by folding one over the other, you obtain a band about one and one-half inches wide. Then fold about two inches of the end at the right back on the band and turn the extreme corner upwards at a right angle. Roll the band very tightly, beginning at this doubled end, up to the left end. Finally tuck the corner of this end into the folds, thus forming a kind of turban—with a corner projecting from the middle, which can be drawn out when it is necessary to develop the silk (Fig. 3).
With a little care a silk thus rolled can be manipulated like a ball and palmed with perfect safety. It can also be finger palmed at the front or back of the hand by means of the projecting corner. By gripping this corner and jerking the silk sharply, it will instantly expand to its full extent.
(4) Begin by making a fold about one and one-half inches in width at one corner; turn the silk over and make another fold of the same width; turn the silk and make a third fold. Repeat the operation until the silk has been folded completely, accordion fashion.
Start at one end of the band thus made and fold over about two inches; turn the silk over and fold again; continue in this way with accordion folds up to the other end. A square bundle results, and you can make this secure either by tying it crosswise with a weak thread or by pasting a narrow band of tissue paper of the same color round it (Fig. 4). The thread or band can be easily broken with the fingers, which retain hold of the last corner. A quick shake will then cause the silk to expand instantly.
This method should always be used for very large silks of flags, with the first folds made along the whole of one side. Two small beads sewn into the last two corners will enable you to seize them quickly without fumbling.
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