1. Positioning the design Cut a piece of waste canvas 5-10cm(2-4ins) larger than the finished design will be. Position the canvas centrally in the area where the design is to be stitched. It is important to make sure the canvas threads are aligned with the straight grain of the fabric. Tack securely.

2. Working the cross stitch Begin in the centre of the canvas and work the cross stitch through the holes in the canvas and the fabric at the same time. Use a stabbing action when stitching, working each half cross stitch individually. Try to aim for the centre of each canvas square and work adjacent stitches into the same hole.

3. Tidying up Continue working the cross stitch until the design has been completed. Check that all the stitches have been worked as evenly as possible - uneven stitches will be more visible when you have removed the canvas. Remove the tacking thread and tim the canvas to 2.5cms from the design.

4. Removing the canvas Hold the waste canvas and move it about carefully to loosen the threads a little. Fray the canvas threads at one side to create a fringe and then pull the remaining threads out one at a time. Tweezers can be useful to pull the threads out. Press the stitching on the wrong side.