Perforated Paper  The Victorians loved stitching on perforated or punched paper, producing bookmarks, ornaments, small trinket boxes, book covers and greeting cards.  Today’s perforated paper is based as closely as possible on the early Victorian punched paper. It can be stitched, folded, glued and cut to make pretty cross stitch projects such as cards, ornaments or even toppers for Small “tin” boxes such as Altiod mint containers. When using perforated paper make sure that you use the smooth side toward you as there is a right and a wrong side.  Try not to fold the paper unless its part of the project.  Don't cut the paper until the stitching is complete. This is because the extra paper is handy to hold while stitching and once cut off there is nothing left to hold. Perforated paper comes in antique brown, cream, soft white, antique red and metallic silver and gold." It always is 14 count  With this material you should use four strands of floss for cross stitch and two strands for backstitch.  Use a #24 or #26 tapestry. If the holes are full, use a sharp needle, such as a chenille (a chenille is just a tapestry needle with a sharp point, so the sizes are identical).  You can find the center of the design with a ruler and mark with a pencil. These pencil marks can be removed later with an eraser. Remember that perforated paper won't "give" the way fabric will. Once damaged or injured, it will stay damaged or injured. Treat it gently. Use the stab method. Do not "puncture" the paper for partial stitches. Backstitch Stitch exactly as you would on fabric. Count on needing a sharp needle for backstitching. Full Cross Stitch This stitch also works exactly as it would on fabric. Half Cross Stitch Again, do it just as you normally would. Three-Quarter Stitch Work the half cross first. Bring the needle up at the corner where the quarter stitch will end. Slip it under the half cross, over, and then back down in the same hole. The quarter stitch "hangs" on the half stitch. Don't pull too tightly Beads And Charms Stitch exactly as you would on fabric.  If you are going to cut out around the design then you can pencil in the cutting lines on the reverse of the paper before cutting.  With paper scissors, trim right through a row of holes (to give a scalloped edge); or trim right at the bottom of the row of holes (to give a straight edge). You can "back" your project with felt glued or stitched on. Knotless loop start This method only works if you are stitching with an even number of strands. Cut the stranded cotton (floss) into lengths roughly twice as long as you would normally use. Double this strand and thread your needle with the two ends together. Bring your needle “up” from the wrong side where you intend to place the first stitch, leaving the looped end at the back. Make the first stitch, taking the needle through to the back and passing it through the loop. The stitch and thread are now anchored.   Click Here Try A Perforated Paper Project  Tomorrow’s Heirlooms Are Created Today