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I am new to stitching and so I found this site by google. I have looked at alot of the suggestions and Newbie ideas bu I have not found the answer to a question I have.

I bought a bookmark kit at a local craft shop. The lady was very helpful and gave good information to start stitching. But now I am worried about the finishing. She said to run the ends under the X's on the back. So how am I suppose to make sure they don't come out? They look ok now but will they work out from under the x's? I am worried they will come out and then the picture will come out.

I've never had an issue with threads coming out, as long as they were firmly secured. I try not to go under fewer than 4 stitches, often I try for at least 6-8. When making something like a bookmark or small ornament without a frame I use spray glue and secure a length of ribbon or felt to the back.

this is really the neatest way to end your work and I have never had any problem with it!
Bye
Domi

I have never had any problems and like Vega says if possible I try to run it under about 6 stitches. I also sometimes go back over the last stitch or two again, if that makes sense just to be sure. Mind you when I need to frog ioften have trouble starting to get the stitches out so I guess it does hold well Good luck with your stitching you will soon be hooked

If you make sure you run the threads under at least 4 to 5 stitches and then turn around skip the last stitch you went under and then go back under the other stitches it should creat almost a knot and you will not have to worry about it coming out. It took me a long time to trust this way of finishing, and some times I still make knots but so far no one has returned a present because of that.

Thank you, I will be sure to run it under enough stitches to make sure it stays.

I will normally run it under 3-4 stitches and really try to make it the last 3-4 X's that I've made. I find that this is secure enough and never comes out and to do more makes the back of project really messy. When you are working on larger projects with lots of changes, running under 6 all the time can create a big mess which can be a problem when you are finishing an area.

But maybe I'm not careful enough and should run it under a couple more. However, if you do 6, then it will not come out for sure.