Ann Logan

Use a sharp pair of small scissors to avoid frayed ends on your floss. There are many embroidery scissors or thread clippers to choose from. The most useful size of embroidery scissor for cross stitch is probably 3/12 inch or 4 inch. It is a convenient size for snipping ends of floss while you stitch. Clip the floss with a small tail or with no tail at all. It’s a matter of choice. Beware of ends showing through the fabric. We have many fancy designer scissors and several more plain scissors to choose from. Some of my favorites are by Gingher and they are truly collectors items. They come in a variety of colorful handles and there are new ones every season. Right now the newest one is called Tessa. Store your scissors in the sheath that they come with or in a scissor block if you collect scissors. A scissor block is similar to a knife block.

Try to buy all your threads for a specific cross-stitch project at once. Why? Because the embroidery thread is dyed in different dye lots. Hence even if you think that you get a specific color from a specific manufacturer, it can sometimes have a slightly different hue. Most times it is not that noticeable, but to be on the safe side, buy it all at once.