Ann Logan

Make sure your stitches are not too tight. If you pull down the needle too tight, the stitches will look flat, and the Aida fabric may
be damaged.
Of course it is preferable to embroider in natural light: it puts less strain on your eyes, but it does not always work. So try to embroider closer to the lamp.
Try to plan the whole design in advance. Check that you have all the accessories. This is so annoying when the thread is over, when all the cross-stitch project is almost done.

It is very important to work slowly when you try new techniques or stitching fibers such as metallic flosses. That way you learn how to do it properly without accidentally messing up your pattern along the way.