To open a skein of DMC Perle Cotton you will want to locate the top band, this is the smaller of the two, and pull it off. Then replace it with the barcode band by gently sliding it up. Once you have done this, locate side B, the skein should naturally untwist into two sections, cut straight through each section. At this point, you can pull out a single piece of thread by grasping one section with one hand and pulling a piece of thread in the opposite direction with the other hand. This should be the perfect length to stitch with!

At the bottom of the card, you will find a strand of thread sticking out. Gently unwind the thread from the card as needed. We recommend using about a forearm’s length of thread for stitching. To measure, simply go from your fingers to your forearm for the ideal length.

To thread a needle, you will need to place the hook of the needle threader through the eye of the needle (the opening on one end). Then, hook the thread and firmly but gently pull back through the eye of the needle. You should leave a tail, I like about an inch but you could do more or less, and make sure you are pulling from the base of the needle rather than the tip to keep it threaded.

To anchor on you can use one of two main methods.

1) Waste Knot: With this method you create a knot at the end of your thread and push the needle from the front of your canvas to the back, about an inch away from where your first stitch will be, in the direction you’ll be stitching.

2) Push the needle from back to front, where you wish to start stitching, leaving about an inch on the back side. Hold it firmly between you fingers and the canvas, and stitch over this tail to secure it.