If you have ever had problems with stitches that come out after you've trimmed thread tails or jump stitches, check the design on screen.

Zoom in and look at your "tie off" or "lock stitches" at the end of the letter, design or colour change. Sometimes they're non-existent, which explains why the raveling is taking place.

Often they are placed one on top of the other, so what you really get is a knotted thread extending from the fabric and design. It's all too easy to clip this off, plus, it doesn't look very attractive when left there.

Tie off stitches should be about 1mm apart, so they don't all go into the same needle puncture, and they should zigzag on top of each other within the embroidery design.