Stem stich

Insert the needle from the back at hole 1 and pull the thread to hole 2. Go along the back to hole 3 and pull the thread to hole 4. And so on as indicated in the diagram skipping two holes at the front each time and one hole at the back. For small curves: skip one hole.

Photocopies
If you embroider the patterns from a book, make sure to save the photocopies you have made and keep them in a folder; you will be organized and if you have pierced well, you can use them again and again !

The needle
The needle must always be thinner than the piercing tool; use the needle that comes in the kit with the piercing tool


Thread

Does your thread become frayed ? Rub a very small drop of glue onto the end of the thread; it will dry immediately and keep the thread intact.

Use sewingmachine embroidery thread; it is strong and is lovely and shiny. For extra covering, use a double thread.

Never use a double thread of metallic; it will look untidy !

To avoid knotting of the thread: pull the thread through the card gently and not too quickly. If the thread becomes twisted while working with double threads, let the thread hang down with the needle so it can unravel itself.


Holes
Make sure that the holes that have to be pierced large ( because of the fact that many threads will have to join at this point) are in fact large enough; If a hole does not turn out to be large enough, while you are embroidering, pierce again with the piercing tool coarse.

Cello tape
Use a good quality; stick it onto your jumper first, so that it does not stick too well on your card and therefore will not damage it.

When fixing the thread at the back of the card, make sure to stick it well away from the piercing pattern so that you will not have to start piercing all over again !

Sequence
If you are making a card with a combination of techniques, make sure to use the right sequence:

1. Piercing of Embroidery pattern
2. Cutting
3. Embossing
4. Decorative Piercing
5. Finishing with Paperpatch
6. Finishing Back of Card

Embossing Erica's Transparant Paper
You will not need a lightbox, as the paper is transparent enough to locate the edges.

Soap
Rub in the back of the card with a bar of soap; you will notice that the embossing will go quite smoothly !