Have you ever admired someone's needlework and wondered why it looks so beautiful? Do the colours seem vibrant and the stitches look neat and tidy? If you want to get the most out of your cross stitching projects, just follow these ten simple tips and tricks.

Tip #1: If you have dropped your needle and you can't find it, use a small magnet to help you find the needle. Simply sweep the area with the magnet and the needle will stick to the magnet as the magnet passes by the needle.

Tip #2: To set the colour of your thread, soak the thread for 1-2 hours in a solution made up of one part vinegar and one part cold water. Rinse the thread and lay flat or hang to dry.

Tip #3: When you are using an embroidery hoop, remember to remove the fabric from the hoop when you are not stitching to keep from getting "hoop marks" on your fabric.

Tip #4: To prevent tangling and fraying, use shorter lengths of thread, approximately 12 inches long. The reason being is that the more the thread is pulled through the fabric, the more it becomes worn out. By using shorter thread lengths, the less wear the thread will have.

Tip #5: Take your time when stitching and really enjoy it by "being in the moment". Also, the slower you stitch, the better control you will have over where your stitches are placed and how they are layered over each other.

Tip #6: When you are not working on your current cross stitch project, roll up your fabric and place it in a paper towel cardboard roll. By keeping your fabric rolled up instead of folded, it will prevent creases in your fabric. Since creases in your fabric are hard to iron out after your work is finished, it is easier to prevent them in the first place.

Tip #7: To prevent the colours in your favourite cross stitch piece from fading, it is important to keep it out of contact with any direct sunlight. The Ultraviolet "UV" light from sunlight is the largest reason why colours will fade over time, yet glass will only block out 60% of all UV light. So, make sure to place any cross stitching where the sun will not touch it. Keep in mind that as the seasons change so does the angle of the sun. Therefore, it is important to check your artwork throughout the year to make sure sunlight does not touch it at any point.

Tip #8: To use up scrap pieces of fabric and odd ends of thread, create your own gift tags for Christmas. Simply use a small piece of fabric and backstitch the "To", "From" and the names on it. To keep the edges of the material from fraying, just fold the edges over and stitch it in place.

Tip #9: If your needlework becomes dirty, pour some cold water and Ivory dishwashing liquid in a flat pan. Always use cold water, as warm water could cause the colours to run. Soak your needlework until the dirt comes off and then gently rinse it under cold water. Never scrub or wrinkle your needlework, otherwise you could damage it. Finally, lay the needlework out flat to allow it to dry.

Tip #10: If your thread becomes tangled while stitching, simply drop your needle and let it hang down from the piece you are cross stitching. While the needle is hanging, the thread will unwind itself. This helps to reduce knotting, too.