When Jinx #69 appeared, Stewart James’ Sefalaljia spirit cabinet routine became an outstanding hit. I have taken one part of that effect and made it into a trick which can be done by night club performers who entertain at tables, a trick which is impromptu requiring no underhanded fixing of the materials used, and one which is far different from any heretofore shown in that field. The only requisites are a needle and thread, a two foot length of soft half inch ribbon, and a ring borrowed on the spot.

The performer shows the ribbon and drapes it over his fingers of the left hand. He borrows a ring which he places against the first finger to be held there by the thumb. Taking a needle and thread from his right lapel he proceeds to do a bit of “fourth dimensional sewing”. He especially asks everyone to note that the ends of the ribbon never leave his sight. The sewing finished and thread broken (or merely left hanging) the performer deliberately hands the ends of the ribbon to the spectator. As he takes hold of them the performer lets go the ring. IT HAS FOUND ITS WAY ONTO THE RIBBON AND IS SECURELY SEWN THERE! The spectator keeps everything as a souvenir.

The ribbon is first placed over the outstretched left fingers as illustrated. The borrowed ring is placed directly over the ribbon against the first finger.

With needle and thread in right hand, the performer speaks of doing a bit of occult sewing, and with the point of the needle he hooks the ribbon THROUGH the ring, pulling it through in a loop into which the left thumb goes. The needle point now pushes the ring down a bit which brings the thumb to the point shown in the third drawing. The ring, at this stage, is hidden behind the 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers which have been deleted by the artist for the sake of clarity.

The sketch also shows where the sewing is done. This finished there is little, if any, hesitation before the climax. The right fingers are now free of the needle. The thumb and forefinger grasp the ring at the point marked “A”. The left hand moves forward, never letting the thumb slip out of the loop, AND THE RIBBON SLIPS THROUGH THE RING SOFTLY AND INVISIBLY, DUE TO THE FORWARD MOTION OF THE HAND. The spectator takes the ends and the right hand releases the ring which proceeds to swing at the bottom. You never have to couch it again, for the watchers find the ring, not alone ON the ribbon, but securely sewn there; sewn there, to all logical reasoners, while both ends of the ribbon remained in full view!

Those who put in a half hour’s time perfecting this effect will have a trick far beyond the ordinary. My thought was to take the place of Stewarts James’ hook in the cabinet with my thumb, and make the item possible of being done anywhere at any time. An intimate table worker might have a bundle of ribbon lengths printed up with his name and ad. Inside his coat he would have to have a number of threaded needles. He could approach anyone, at any time, and, showing a ribbon, request the loan of a wedding ring or signet bauble.

The sewing is done and the ribbon handed to the ring’s owner. They keep it, or at least look at it, during the time they struggle to release the circulet from its threaded prison spot.

When threading the needles, leave one end somewhat shorter than the other. You can check this by trial. The ribbon is thus sewn with a single thread, and at the finish, the needle can be pulled free of the thread and pocketed before the finale. Some nite clubbers can stab themselves easily.