Here are some cross stitch tips that will help you a lot with your cross stitch projects.

GETTING STARTED

Always start stitching from the center of your fabric. To find the center on your fabric, fold the fabric in half twice. The center will be at the intersection of the two folds.

Finding the center of your chart by following the two arrows. One arrow will be in the top center and the other one in the middle left side of your chart. Follow these two arrows. Where they meet is your center stitch.

FABRIC

Put tissue paper in your hoop with your fabric then tear away the center where you are stitching. This will keep oils from getting onto your fabric and help your hands from being moist.

Use different qualities of fabric. Try cheaper fabric for quick designs, saving money so that you can splash out on the best fabric for heirloom projects.

You will want to allow 3 to 4 inches of fabric on each side of the design. This will help you framing your project easily.

THREADS

When stitching with 2 threads use only one strand of floss, put the ends together and thread them through the needle leaving a loop on one end. When you put the needle through on your second stitch, catch it through the loop. This keeps the material from getting bumby.

When ending your thread by running under other stitches, try to match colors. Never run a dark color under light stitched, it might show through to the front.

Back stitch should be added when all other stitching has been completed.

NEEDLES

Many of us we have the bad habit of leaving the needle into the fabric when we end a session. Be aware that this can leave a permanent stain or large hole in your fabric. Always store a needle properly.

GENERAL TIPS

If you have pets or small children do not keep your cross stitch materials in a bag. Keeping your threads, needles and scissors in a box that shuts securely will prevent little fingers and paws from getting into things easily!

If you are working on a larger needlework project, invest in a set of stretcher bars. They keep the fabric from getting warped and it makes it easier to actually do the sewing. They come in several sizes, and are fairly inexpensive.

Using a highlighter in a light color - yellow works very well for marking off stitches or areas of stitching as you complete them. If your lighting make the yellow hard to see at night, you could use another color like green or blue or orange when stitching at night.

HOW TO WASH CROSS STITCH (article by Yarntree.com)

* Use only cold water for the wash and rinse. Tap water is fine unless you have very hard water, then you will want to use distilled water. Make sure the sink and any containers you will use are clean.

* Pre-rinse the piece under cold, running water.

* Place in a soapy cold water and gently wash. Do not scrub. For detergent I recommend Yarn Trees FabriCare, but other products are available. Avoid soaps that have additives such as fragrances, softeners, etc. Use only a small amount of detergent.

* If needed, rinse and wash a second time. DO NOT WRING the water out; this is not necessary and can pull the stitches.

* Rinse three times in cold water.

* As you work, check carefully for any sign of color bleeding, hoop marks or other stains.

* Remove the piece from the final rinse. Let the water drain out of the fabric, but DO NOT WRING.

* Place the cross stitch on a dry bath towel, and roll up the towel (with the cross stitch still on the towel).

* Unroll the towel and repeat on a dry section of the towel (or another towel). Gently pressing on the rolled up towel will remove all the water you need to remove. Repeat as necessary.

* Unroll the towel. Lay the cross stitch face up on a dry section of the towel. If necessary, let the piece air dry until it is just damp but not dripping wet.

* Once again, check for any stains or marks. Once you iron the piece, it will be even more difficult to remove any stains.

* Place the cross stitch face down on a dry bath towel. Use an iron set to a low or medium temperature and lightly press the back of the cross stitch. If you have beads, special threads, etc you want to be extra careful with this step. Keep the iron constantly moving. If you have not used that iron in a while, practice on a scrap piece of cross stitch fabric. Make sure the steam setting is off, and the iron is not spitting steam. For the temperature setting, keep in mind the types of materials you used in the cross stitch, if there is any question, use a lower temperature.

* The cross stitch will still be slightly damp. Lay it face up on the towel and allow to air dry.