Preparing and finishing your work: haberdashery tricks

A beautiful piece of work can be ruined by the details at the beginning and end. We'll tell you what we do at the haberdashery to make your work last for years looking impeccable.

Before you start

• Wash and iron the fabric if you're going to take a long time to finish: it shrinks a bit, and it's better for it to do so now.
• Find the center by folding the fabric in four. Almost all patterns start there.
• Finish the edges with a backstitch or tape so they don't fray while you embroider.

How to start and finish the thread

No knots: they create bulk and show through to the front. To start, pass the needle, leaving a tail at the back, and catch it with the first few stitches. To finish, insert the needle under four or five stitches you've already made and cut. Clean and firm.

The last step that many forget

When you're done, wash the piece with lukewarm water and mild soap, dry it between two towels, and iron it inside out on a cloth. It will be ready to frame and hang. That final care is what differentiates a "done" piece from a "finished" piece.

Missing fabric, a hoop, or needles? You'll find everything at the online haberdashery.