You have bought the chart, the fabric to sew it on and the different colored floss, beads, metallic thread, etc. if required, separately, or in a kit - now WHAT DO YOU DO? 1. Iron the fabric so there are no creases. Linens - medium/hot steam iron. Other fabrics - ask supplier. 2. Protect the edges of the fabric from fraying by one of these methods:
a) Machine sew the edges with zigzag stitch
b) Tape all edges, except the selvage, using either masking or scotch tape. Put a strip on the front and a strip on the back of your fabric
c) Turn in a seam and handset with large stitches around the edge. 3. If you have skeins of floss, you will see numbers on the attached paper labels. These numbers match the numbers on the chart as you will need to know what they are. Buy small cards (plastic and cardboard are available) made especially for winding on the skeins (sometimes called bobbins). At the top, either write, or stick on a label, with the appropriate number. Be very careful to put the right number. The cards can all be kept numerically in a special box. 4. If you have a kit with floss, follow the instructions for organizing the floss carefully. 5. If you wish to wash your floss or fabric, please do it before you sew your cross stitch. If one color runs in the completed project, you will probably never get the discoloration out. Some people wash their skeins in a mild warm soapy water. Then rinse until clear. Dark colors are more likely to run, but good quality threads and fabrics should not. Note: After completing the project, it might be better to have it dry cleaned rather than washed, but not if it has beads, or other problem materials (ask a good quality dry cleaner).
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