START STITCHING

1. Thread your needle (use a needle threader if necessary) with strand(s) of thread around 2–3ft (60–90cm) long.

2. Bring the needle up through the fabric, from back to front (1), and pull the thread through until there is about 2–3in (5–7.5cm) of thread left on the back of the fabric (this is called the ‘tail’).

3. Take your free hand and press down on the thread ‘tail’ to make sure the thread doesn’t pull all the way through the fabric (2).

4. Begin stitching the pattern, letting go of the tail once a few stitches have been completed.