Before Stitching:

Allow enough fabric around your design for stitching. A good rule of thumb is to add 5" to the design size.

To prevent color bleed, set your thread colors by soaking them in cold vinegar water. Allow your yarn/floss to air dry.

When Stitching:

Wash your hands often and do not use lotions.

Do not leave your work stretched in a hoop when you are not stitching. Hoop marks are noticeable after your piece is stretched.

When stitching areas of the same color, do not jump more than one-fourth or one-half inch. Not only with this save you yarn/floss, it will also prevent noticeable traveling threads that can be seen from the front.

Be sure to run all loose ends under the finished work on the back side. Do not tie knots in your thread.

Work design with selvage on your right and left, not up and down (this is most important if you are making two items exactly the same size). If in doubt which is the selvage side, use the weaver's method, pull one thread from each direction, the one with the most "crinkle" is the right (weave) and the one most straight will be up and down (warp).

If you are upset, do not work for long periods at a time.

Purchasing Material:

Never purchase material with a center fold. Never leave a project folded over a long period of time. Roll it instead.

Always purchase the right materials. Needles, yarn and pattern appropriate for fabric.

When You Finish:

Protect edges if you must, using a hand or machine overcast or zig zag (one thickness) stitch. Cellophane and masking tape should be CUT OFF when you finish your project (or the bugs will love your needlework as much as you do). Selvage and hems should be removed when finished.

Always remove the needle when you stop working. Even a new needle can rust overnight, depending upon the humidity and the acid content of your skin.

Always remove your hoop when you finish working for the day. Stretching "one hoop" of material over a long period of time is damaging to the fabric.

Sign your work. A name and date adds a special touch. Add the name and date somewhere in the design or at the bottom corner on the same thread line as last stitch vertically or horizontally.

When your piece is finished, rinse it in cold water.

Other Tips:

Whenever you prick your finger and get blood on your cross stitch piece, your human saliva will break down the blood plasma on your piece of work.

We have found the best way to clean your cross stitch piece is to soak it in cold, soapy water, like Ivory liquid. If it is extremely dirty, leave it in the liquid in the refrigerator over night. And washout the piece the next morning.

Iron your piece dry from the back side. Place a fluffy towel underneath to prevent flattening of the stitching.

The cleaner your piece is brought into our shop, the cleaner it will leave the shop.