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When I'm working on a new piece, I often create a 'side cloth' where I can do a few quick stitches to try out a colour, stitch or thread. It really helps me make decisions and not have so much unstitching. Do you sample as you work? #embroidery #handembroidery #canvaswork #needlepoint #sampling

11/1/26, 4:18 am1 repost32 likes

Peter Gagliardi

@ptrgags.bsky.social

11 Jan

I haven't with embroidery, but I've certainly done that to test out new materials/techniques for drawing. And even more so when programming! I'm always sketching out diagrams and math details on paper to help organize my thoughts.

Peter Gagliardi

@ptrgags.bsky.social

11 Jan

Side question: what's the masking tape for on the edges of the canvas? Is it to prevent fraying?

pardalote

@pardalotemakes.com

11 Jan

The canvas mesh is quite stiff and scratchy, so any long thread gets caught against it when stitching, the masking tape just makes it a smooth edge.

Peter Gagliardi

@ptrgags.bsky.social

11 Jan

Ah! That makes sense! In any case, this made me want to try it on Aida cloth as an anti-fraying measure. I'll see how it goes.

pardalote

@pardalotemakes.com

11 Jan

Ah! Thank you. Maybe that’s where it comes from for me, from a mathematical ‘problem solving in the margin’ mindset. I love that!

Peter Gagliardi

@ptrgags.bsky.social

11 Jan

Glad you appreciate the math analogy! It also reminds me of making a small test batch when trying a new cooking recipe. Or trying a demo of a game before buying.