Compensating stitches are small, clever adjustments you make when a decorative stitch doesn’t fully fit into a particular space.

ou’ve asked the right planning questions, scribbled notes in your project planner, and maybe even gathered a few dreamy new threads to try. Now comes the fun (and sometimes nerve-wracking) part—making your final decisions and putting needle to canvas.

Ready to go beyond the tent stitch? Here’s how to plan your decorative stitches and specialty threads with confidence—plus the key questions to ask before you start.