To thread your needle, cut a working length of thread and use a needle threader to pull the thread through the eye of your tapestry needle. Needle threaders make this step quicker and help prevent fraying, especially with thicker or blended fibers.
To anchor your thread, bring the needle down from the top of the canvas, leaving a short tail on the back. Work your first few stitches over that tail to secure it in place. Once the thread is anchored, trim the excess tail close to the stitching.
When you reach the end of a thread, secure it on the back of the canvas before starting a new one. To do this, run the needle under a few existing stitches on the back, then change direction and pass under them again in the opposite direction. This gentle zig zag locks the thread in place without creating bulk. Trim the excess thread and continue stitching with a new length.
