Where do you buy your supplies?

I always check my local needlework store first. If they don’t carry what I am looking for or they cannot order it—I head to the chain stores and start searching the Internet. As for fabric, I love visiting antique shops and thrift stores for old handkerchiefs, tablecloths, and curtains.

How many strands of thread do you typically use when starting a new design?

Well, it really depends on the project, but I typically start with three strands. If I have trouble showing detail, I decrease down to 1 or 2 strands; if I need a bolder line, I increase to 4 or 5 strands.

How do you store your silk threads?

I like to loosely wind them on paper bobbins (available at any craft store next to the cotton embroidery threads). However, to avoid creasing the thread you can simply remove the desired strands from the skein, retwist the skein back in shape, and either remount on its paper hanger or recover it with its paper tube. If you have trouble getting the threads back in the hanger or tube, try using a large crochet hook.

I am going to stitch on my great-grandmother’s fragile pillowcases. How do I protect the fabric while stitching?

On page 9 of Hip to Stitch I show you how to wrap the inner ring of an embroidery hoop with fabric: Simply wrap a 1-inch wide strip of fabric around the ring and whipstitch the ends together after the ring is completely covered. Try wrapping the outer ring of your hoop as well so that your fabric never comes in direct contact with the surface of the hoop. This also holds the fabric taut in the hoop and keeps you from constantly retightening the hoop while stitching.

Are you afraid to wash your projects after spending so much time stitching them?

I always wash my projects by hand in cold water with a very small amount of mild detergent. Make sure you thoroughly rinse projects that use red and dark-colored threads until the water runs clear—if you stop rinsing too early the excess dye in the threads will bleed onto the fabric and may permanently set up when the fabric dries.

Do you worry about your threads showing on the backside of your wearable projects—I want to make an apron?

If you are stitching on something that will get used a lot, like an apron or tea towel, just make sure you knot the ends of your threads and trim the tails short. If you are stitching numerous motifs, stitch one at a time and knot and cut your thread before you move to the next motif —that way you won’t have long thread floats on the back. If you are worried about it looking sloppy on the back, just make sure you think about where you are stitching to avoid the floats (see page 31 of Hip to Stitch, the 4th bulleted item). Check out the sidebars on pages 27, 30, and 31 for more tips on this subject.