Sampling

Until I started the RSN course, I probably didn’t sample very much in my embroidery. I’m more of a learn on the job type of person - have a try, if it works great, if not try again or try something different.

Starting the Certificate course made me think differently about sampling. Now it has become part of the design process - is the stitch the right one for the design, do I have the right type of thread, is the weight and coverage right?

Sometimes when I’m sampling a stitch, it can become a way of checking that I’ve got the technique right. Very important for a left-handed person. I often find that stitches can sometimes not look the same as the book, because I’ve twisted the thread the wrong way or something. Knotted stitches are the ones I struggle with the most, however there are some great resources for left handed embroiderers - one of my favourites is ‘the left-handed embroiderer’s companion’ by Yvette Stanton, without which I would still struggle with Bullion Knots.

Sampling stitches helps me resolve these issues and also perfect the technique - quite important when you are being assessed.

I wish I’d done more sampling for my Jacobean piece to help get the techniques better. For instance - the battlement couching on the vine leaf. I found it quite troublesome to get the trellis even and the leaf was unpicked and re-done several times to ensure the angles and colours were right. After a few attempts I noticed the fabric was getting stressed so made the decision to live with the not quite perfect angles to avoid any further damage. True to form the assessors noticed the less than perfect angles.

Vine Leaf from My Jacobean Crewel Work

With my second module of Canvas work, sampling has become more important. This time not only to see if the stitch is the right one, but also to work out the number of threads covers the canvas fabric. The question is now how many strands of thread to have in the needle - will 2 strands of Appletons Wool be enough or do I need 3? Which covers the canvas better?

With the canvas work assessment marks can be lost by having too few or too many threads and distorting the canvas. I’ve also found that it helps to work the samples in the colours for the area - as it helps me to see how the finished piece could look. The RSN tutors have said ‘Sample, Sample, Sample and Sample!’ and it is so true.

I now see sampling as part of the process for any embroidery project. It helps me formulate ideas, improve them and also provides a reference library for future projects. I’m also finding that it helps explain ideas and designs to others, especially for those not so familiar with embroidery techniques. I’ve recently been working out different samples to show my god-daughter to be included on her bridesmaid dresses for her wedding later this year.