Which color block should I start with first in the American Bird Collection?
         Begin with the beak and eye first so they do not get lost in the rest of the piece. Plus, the beak and eye really bring the bird to life!

How should I move across a color block?
          To conserve thread and keep the stitches uniform, you’ll want to find a system for how you like to work with the guiding stitches. One very methodical way is to pick a row of guiding stitches, trace over each stitch in that row, when you have made it to the other side, work back filling in between each of the guiding stitches you previously traced. 

Should my fabric be loose in my hoop?
         Your fabric needs to be super tight in your hoop at all times. You may need to tighten the fabric every once in a while as you are working. 

Are there any tips I should know for threading my needle?  
          Threading your needle can be a challenging part of the process, it can be difficult for even the most experienced of stitchers. Our kits come with needle threaders and we have a video tutorial on how to use them.

          If you do not have a needle threader, here are a few tips: Make sure to clip the end of the thread you are trying to get through the eye of the needle at an angle. You can smooth the end of the thread down by wetting it in your mouth. Just try to push the tiniest bit of thread through the eye until you can grab it and pull it through. Keep your fingertips from getting dry as the thread likes to attach to dry fingers and pull back out! After a few tries, the process becomes easier and you’ll be threading the needle like a pro in no time!

Should I do this in a dim room?
           No, work with as much lighting as you can get! Especially when working with the darker threads. 

Should I really keep my thread length to 18 inches?
           Absolutely! If you clip your thread at around 18 inches, the strand you’ll really be working with is around 9 inches. While you may need to rethread more often, you’ll save yourself a big headache…shorter lengths of thread rarely ever get tangles and knots.

If you find a question pop up while you are stitching, chances are others have the same question!

Email your question to:
thecircle@libertystitchingcompany.com

We will post it with a pro-tip response to help others in the stitching community. Also, join the Liberty Stitching Circle on our homepage to receive more technical tips, inspiration and promotions! Receive 15% of your first order when you sign-up!