Mark the position of the hole on the material and place the material on a stable, strong surface, preferably a cutting board or a surface that will not be damaged. Hold the awl firmly and place the point on the marked spot, then push firmly, turning the handle slightly, until the material is pierced. Pull the awl out with a straight movement, without twisting it. For stitching, keep the holes evenly spaced and of the same depth, then pass the thread through. Do not use on materials that are too hard and always keep your free hand away from the path of the point. After use, clean the point with a dry cloth, protect it with a cap or store it in a safe, dry place, out of the reach of children. Check that the point stays sharp and undeformed: if necessary, resharpen it or replace the awl.