For Christmas, we need it by these dates.

Here's when a piece has to be with us to come back finished in time.

Ornaments and stand-ups: June 15

Stockings and cuffs: August 1

Pillows: September 1

Why so early

Once a piece leaves us, finishing it properly takes around ten to sixteen weeks. Every needlepoint shop in the country is sending work to the same small number of finishers, and they all send it in the autumn. The dates above are what it takes to get your piece back to you rather than into the queue behind everyone else's.