If you were asked by a person what to do as a new stitcher what would you tell them. Things that you have learned over the time you have been stitching.
????Basic materials needed, tools you think are an absolute must have, how to start, books that have helped you with stitching, Web Sites that have helped you?????
Here is what I say....Enjoy the time you are stitching. Don't get frustrated the nore you do the better you will feel. Don't expect perfection with your first piece.
1) Don't overwhelm yourself with your first few projects start small and build from there. A kit is a good first time project as everything is provided except the hoop/frame/scroll.
2) Start in the center of the fabric. At least for the first one or two projects just so you can see that the piece is going to be directly in the center. It can be heartbreaking to get half or more done and find out that the pattern won't fit because you have calculated wrong.
After you have done a few pieces you can decide how you want to start and that will be a personal decision
3) Make a copy of the pattern and as you stitch mark each square off. That way you will know were you are during stitching and when you have to stop and put down your work. Also at the end you will still be able to see exactly where the backstitching lines are rather then trying to see over the marked off paper. Also if you use the same pattern more then once you don't have to keep buying it over and over.
4) Each person will have to decide if they want to do half a cross or a full cross. I personally make all of my crosses complete regardless of if it is a block of color or if I am doing confetti stitches. I like to finish each cross and then go to the next. This also helps when you have to go back and frog.
5) When making a cross always do the bottom leg of the stich in the same direction. Always cross the top leg in the same direction. This is something that I hear from many new stitchers when I finish my stitches look funny well it is usually that they don't make all there crosses in the same direction.
6) When carrying thread across don't go more then 4 to 5 squares If you do then you will be in danger of catching the floss when stitching with another color and maybe fraying or causing the thread you are working with to tangle and knot.
7) And this is a rule I alway stick with if you are stitching confetti stitches that are out in the open all by themself DO NOT run the thread out over an open area of material. This is a big NO NO it may seem to be hidden but once the piece is finished the thread tends to show through any unworked areas with floss stretched across the back so don't do it.
I think that asking questions of other stitchers is a must, their experience is very helpful. But also remember there are no real rules to stitching and advice is just that advice. You will have to find out what works for you.
I think as a beginner some sort of hoop, scroll frame, or Q-snap is very important but that is just me.
I think some sort of bobbin, bow type, or baggie form of floss storage is very important also.
Go to the thread titled "Glossary Terms" This will help you with the terms you will see used on this forum and in other places.
I hope that others will join in and that this will be a place for new members to find help and also for some of us old stitchers to pick up some great tips.
,I must be holding my 
How could I forget about Thread Heaven???? 
