A simple way to keep your stitches even
Even stitches come from a steady rhythm, not from pulling the thread as tightly as possible. Begin by making shorter stitches than you think you need.
Give yourself guide marks
Use a washable pen to add tiny dots along a curve or line. Aim the needle at each mark and look ahead to the next one before pulling the thread through.
Watch your tension
Let the thread rest on the surface of the fabric without puckering it. If the cloth starts to gather, loosen the last stitch and try again.
Pause every few minutes and look at the whole line from a little distance. Small variations usually disappear into the character of the finished piece.
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