You want to take care not to get the canvas dirty or lose the thread. A Ziploc bag works great for smaller pieces and plastic storage boxes work great for larger ones, and both methods of storage are inexpensive. This may sound foolish, but it helps keep lint, oil or other foreign substances off the canvas, most canvases are white or cream colored and can stain easily. They are washable, but it may bleed the dye on the thread. It is best to be cautious.
Every kit comes with a pattern and basic instructions to follow.
These instructions are not worded for first time stitchers. Before we discuss the stitches, there are a few tips to preparing your canvas. Every project has a central starting point. With a pencil, very lightly follow the vertical line down the pattern until it seems to be lined up with the arrow on the side. To double check, lightly trace the horizontal line until it reaches the point of the side arrow.