Ann Logan

It can be tempting to leave your cross stitch project attached to the embroidery hoop, either overnight or when it's not in use - but don't! Those hoops are great tools for working, keeping your fabric tight and firm, making the stitch process easier, but they can damage the fabric if they're left inside for long periods of inactivity.
Our advice is to give your project a proper rest - loosen the tension and place your work-in-progress somewhere safe where it won't get damaged or creased.

Consistent tension is crucial for creating proper stitches. They should be flat against the fabric, not too tight, not too loose. Experiment on scrap fabric until you learn how tightly you need to pull the floss to create a perfect stitch.