• Mary Kay, taking an ANG CyberClass, learned this tip:
  When stitching with Watercolors separate the entire length ( 10 yd.) into 3 strands and work with each strand separately. You can then cut in the middle of a color sequence and that will let you stop and start with the same color to avoid drastic color changes.

• Carla from Virginia has this to add:
  If you must strip your floss (wetting each strand so the fuzzies lie down better) and take the work around with you, then you MUST strip ALL of your floss first. It is possible to tell a difference between stripped and unstripped floss in the work. The unstripped will look less lustrous and a bit fuzzy compared to the stripped. Please note, if none is stripped, then all the floss looks lustrous and not fuzzy at all. Your choice.

        Carla also adds:  When using over-dyes or variegated floss, completing each cross-stitch will make the colors seem to flow just like on the floss. This is very important when then colors are very different, like in a blend of fiesta colors.

• Floss has a right and wrong end.  The end that flares out the most is the right end.  Always pull from this end.

• Strip each strand of floss from skein separately - even if using more than one strand.

• Run floss over a damp sponge to remove the twist.

• The amount of floss used should give even coverage without bulk:
  11 count fabric    4 strands
  14 count fabric    2 strands
  18 count fabric    1 - 2 strands
  22 count fabric    1 strand

Carla from Virginia has this to add:  I have found that 2 strands of floss rarely cover 14 count adequately. I either use 3 strands or use 16 count fabric. Using 16 count will not adversely affect the size of the piece.

• When working with a fiber such as metallic ribbon which frays, coat the ends with a white glue (e.g. Aleene's "OK to Wash it Glue") which dries clear.  It does not affect the color of the fiber you are using.

• Carry a baggie in your stitching bag for snippets.

• Use the snippets to fill a clear ornament ball and include metallics and/or small pieces of lace or fabric.

• Another idea for snippets is to layer a sheet of tulle fabric, a sheet of fusible web, a layer of snippets, another sheet of fusible web and finally another sheet of tulle.  Iron until the fusible web is fused to tulle and snippets.  The tulle is sheer enough that the snippets will show through.  Cut out shapes and applique to a sweatshirt.

• Snipped ends of wool threads make good pin cushion stuffing - for the lanolin in the wool treats your needles.

• Check sporting good stores for fly-tying threads.  There are many silks, some metals, wool yarns and a variety of fun threads.  Some are too large to use for stitching but they can be couched.

• To test your floss for colorfastness, cut a hank of six-ply floss, place it in the fold of a white paper towel and steam it as you would the finished design. (See laundering tips also)

• When cutting threads for hardanger or drawn thread work, cut with the "wrong side" up so that the "whiskers" will be on the back of your work.

• Put a rubber band around a spool of thread or ball of yarn to keep it from unwinding.