Sampling in hand embroidery - What it is and why you should be doing it!

Are you stuck with your embroidery? Afraid to start a project in case it goes wrong? Then you need this video! I'll explain what sampling is, how to do it and and how it can help you build your confidence and be more creative in your embroidery. This is especialy good for embroidery beginners but experienced stitchers will benefit too!
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00:00 - Introduction
01:27 - What is sampling?
02:13 - Why should you sample?
04:59 - What does sampling achieve?
10:45 - How should you do it?
29:45 - What might you need?
Are you an embroidery beginner? Or thinking about how to get into the hobby? Go to the 'Beginning Embroidery' page on my website to learn more:
www.sarahhomfray.com/beginner...
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[@fiberjazz]

I love this! It reminded me of when I was teaching water color painting to students who looked at the pristine paper and were reluctant to get started for fear of ruining the paper. I took them out into the parking lot, put their papers on the ground, and ran over the paper with my car, leaving dirty tire tracks on the paper. Once the paper was "ruined," the students were able to more freely experiment with their painting and learn from their work. After a while, they were able to practice on a new sheet of paper without needing to first spoil it. Your video is a good reminder that - whatever the edeavor - we need to give ourselves permissing to practice, experiment, make miststakes, and learn, both from what worked well and what wasn't quite as wonderful. Thank you! 😊

[@kimholt2893]

I love this!!! I too am intimidated by a blank page of “good” paper. Thanks for this!

[@donnahicks5295]

Your response has me in a giggle fit! I am picturing you revving your engine while timid students look on in puzzlement. What a novel approach and certainly one they would never forget! 👍😂

[@sallyskogheim4230]

I’ve been watercoloring for some time and I’m still terrified of that perfect paper. Also, it always comes out better on the back of a receipt or some such thing.😂

[@fiberjazz]

@@sallyskogheim4230 I fully understand! I feel the same way when it comes to writing. I just end up staring at a clean sheet of writing paper and have such a hard time writing that first word. So, I now do most of my writing on disposable paper napkins. Works like a charm and the words just flow. Whatever it takes, right? Hope you are enjoying your watercoloring. I think watercolors are my favorite medium. 😄

[@sandramyer7081]

Sampling is an excellent to start! Yes indeed- i love u show me and told me how to do it!

[@susanzeiter3850]

Sarah, I had not heard of using a “sampler” as you described it. I found your style of sampling so “freeing” - allowing me to test my ideas and skills etc, and a place to accept what works and leave the rest with no harm done. Thanks so much!

[@thekanmujoey]

I learned the most basic techniques from my grandmother and I absolutely appreciate your tutorials and have learned so much from all you have shared. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@jacquelinebergman6431]

I really needed to see this because I am one of those people who wants to skip the practice and go right into stitching something, even if I have no experience with the stitch or technique. It definitely results in some ripping out, so I have been trying to get in the habit of sampling first, but it feels strange to me. This video offers so many great examples of sampling and clearly demonstrates how it can impact the quality of the finished piece. It has helped me see the value of doing it right or wrong and having a permanent reference to remind you of what works and what doesn't. You lose that reference when you rip out a mistake and do it over on the same piece. Thank you so much Sarah! You are the rock star of embroidery videos!!!

[@ildikofarfix5554]

Turns out I haven't completely wasted about 1 year of my life working on samplers just like yours... :) I'm still looking forward to a video on how to deal with corners :):) Excellent tutorial as always & loads of thanks!

[@PreachRevolution]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! You gave me permission to get on with my work by using sampling to start my project. What a difference it made.☺

[@judithhope8970]

This was very inspirational. I've been wanting to try stumpwork for years but haven't got started because I couldn't decide what to make. Now I know I don't have to make anything. Just do it. Thanks for this.

[@cynthiaeastman7456]

Once again, thank you for all you do.

[@theMermaidRhonda]

So glad I found your channel! I just started trying embroidery to give my hands a break from crocheting all the time. It's so relaxing and I'm greatly enjoying it! I picked up some fun colors of floss and some muslin to play around on. With a small hoop (I think it's about 5 inches) and the floss and fabric I spent less than $8. I look forward to learning all the beautiful things I can do with embroidery! Thank you Sarah!

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Enjoy your new hobby Mermaid Rhonda!

[@danisehetland3378]

Sarah, thank you for demystifying the process from start to finished project. That makes so much sense to have a practice piece on hand when one encounters new stitches on a project. 👍🏼

[@karennielsen9248]

It’s always encouraging to be reminded that artists don’t just sit down and make a perfect work on the first try! Makes it so much easier to deal with the setbacks and the need to practice and play. Thanks!

[@TheJanestarling]

Lot's of useful info, as always. It's nice to know that even an expert has to practice first. Your final drawn & pulled piece was totally stunning!

[@maureenkaskela3232]

Marvelous video. I have started a sampler. Thank you for taking the time to do this. Sarah, I love your videos.

[@cindyfrischer6136]

Thank you. I found this helpful. It’s sort of common sense to sample first but honestly, it never occurred to me. In the future I will be sampling.😀

[@ElveeKaye]

This video is very helpful. My mother taught me how to embroider when I was a girl, but it had been years since I last did it. I took it up again last year, and have done a few pieces using some very basic stitches. Now I want to make a sampler with some of the fancier stitches I've seen in KZbin videos. I love your ribbon work girl. Add some wings and she could be a flower fairy!

[@Sue_70]

Your videos are so useful. I can see now how using a sampler will help me to gain confidence. Thank you Sarah xx

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

I often do a sampler for a project, even after all these years of stitching!

[@cerwelt]

Very helpful. Going to put together a working sampler. Thank you.

[@frederics7086]

Me starting embroidering 8 Christmas napkins with little experience and watching your video to see all I am doing wrong 😱 Let's hope my project comes out good

[@leisongivangomo5656]

Oooooo! Please do a video on the silk ribbon dress! That’s beautiful!

[@sandramyer7081]

I agree! Please!

[@Panneapple]

Luckily, since I am a beginner who started with a kit, my first thought when I saw all these stitches I knew nothing about, was that I needed to practice them a little before poking hundreds of holes into the fabric provided by the kit. Ever since, I always have a scrap piece of fabric on the side, which I use whenever I'm doing a new stitch or I'm not confident about my skills with one technique in particular. However, now that I've watched this video, I realize I could do so much more than simply practice rows of stitching on it! Thank you so much for this video, it's always a pleasure to watch your videos when I'm embroidering!

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

They do end up being really interesting pieces!

[@michelesmith2913]

Thank you Sarah, I have purchased hoops, fabric, threads and stuff but I’m just too ‘scared’ to get started, and I’m left handed… this video has put my mind at rest and I’m ready to start a sample piece of just straight lines for now, thank you so much, you are an inspiration x

[@conqueringmountscrapmorewi2509]

Great idea! After a busy day in my sewing room, I get to watch you and hand quilt! I hope you have a fabulous week ahead! Thank you for your time, talent and posting this video!

[@NannyOggins]

I started embroidery around 4 years ago and spent most of the first two years just sampling before beginning a project. As a learning process it was highly successful and I think that everyone should do this..

[@Debdebberdebbest]

This may be my favorite video of yours, Sarah! How very helpful and encouraging it is to see your samplings and understand how and why they precede your lovely works. I’m inspired to start my own sampler, and perhaps it will be the push I need to be more creative across a variety of techniques.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Everyone should have a sampler hoop to hand!

[@loismiller4031]

Thank you Sarah--excellent as usual. I have used sampling to practice canvass work for a long time and find it very useful. And, essential in goldwork. I had such a hard time with "S-ing" stitch in a goldwork piece that I was forced to practice that quite a bit and eventually got it to look fairly good. Another stitch I seem to have trouble with is buttonhole stitch. I have practiced it a lot, but every time I want to use it, I have to practice all over again.

[@lindasmyk1242]

You are a great instructor!

[@keepingourhome7271]

Ahhhh……. Very good idea, could make a sampler booklet up, such as a watercolour sketchbook. Thank you, Sarah!

[@peggymccright1358]

Thank you for this video. I used to embroider years ago and now I’m retired I have time. Your sampler idea is priceless! I will give it a try. Thanks ☺️

[@VeretenoVids]

Wonderful video! Muslin (UK: calico) is indeed inexpensive, but one other fabric option for experimenting is plain cotton bedsheets from thrift stores (UK: charity shops). They are usually very inexpensive, they give you miles of fabric to practice with and it doesn't seem quite so unnerving for those of us who get anxious about using up our "good fabric."

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Great idea!

[@golfgranny58]

My 11 y/o grandson is wanting to learn embroidery, the sheeting idea is perfect for him and I don't have to "waste" my good fabrics. When he gets older and a little better, we'll have a go at the good stuff.

[@jacquiphillips2462]

I remember watching all those videos Sarah. Thank you. I’m learning such a lot and I only found your site a few weeks ago! You’re such a consummate tutor. Xx 💕💕

[@heden1460]

That's me...a bit nervous to start. I've done pillow cases, but that's different to me for some reason. I printed out the peacock pattern a while ago but have been procrastinating. I bought linen a couple of weeks ago. I guess I'm getting closer. I think I want to do the long, short for the body of the peacock. I need to decide on the colors for it. This was a great tutorial as usual. Thanks.

[@flamegremlin5918]

lovely and informative thank you for your videos! I have a doodle hoop and id be lost without it, I practice my stitches to warm up my hand... less like a sampler more like a doodle in a note book lol

[@kimplohocky5301]

Such a great idea! I do forget how to do some of the stitches and have to either look up videos again or find a book

[@amberliddell4503]

Sarah I'm doing a emboroidery on a kerchief that once belonged to my late grandfather it's a dark blue one he wore in the way I like your voice

[@sharonlevine483]

One additional thing I use mine for is recording the names and origins of stitches - any that I pick up on the internet and try just for fun, but may not remember later just where I found it, or how it was worked. I keep a separate one for counted stitching, also with notes on origins.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

That's a good idea Sharon!

[@whylal]

I always thought needlepoint was the umbrella term! I was given my first cross-stitch kit around 10 by my mother on vacation, but I struggled with the colours being too similar and not pre-filled so I abandoned it half-way. Near the start of Covid I found it again and decided to finish it, and I've continued since then. I'm 22 now, and while I still mostly complete kits, I have designed or modified patterns a couple of times, and have sporadically done some freehand(?), which I find much more challenging. Thanks for the video!

[@marcelacroft1802]

Lovely 🥰 Thank you Sarah.

[@claudiakoprowski8925]

Sarah, you are the most prolific artist on media!

[@surekhakumar7292]

Thankyou Sarah for you very useful videos...im glad I found you...👍🌹

[@maryburt3114]

loved your ribbon lady. not sure what you did not like but she is beautiful and so is her dress.

[@lynnedenney9771]

Excellent video! For those who may be interested in taking their hand sewing toward a "functional", as well as a decorative, end....Alabama Chanin - "The School of Making" tab may be a website worth checking out. They offer a Swatch of the Month subscription which is an excellent, structured sampler method very much in line with what Sarah is advising in this video. Also offered are DIY hand constructed garment kits at a variety of skill levels. I've not ventured to try one (they are quite pricey), but just perusing The School of Making tab on the website may offer inspiration for a modern application for hand embroidery. Happy Stitching!

[@elainet5870]

Very useful information! This video was a good reminder. At times, I grab a tiny scrap of fabric to try out a stitch that I have forgotten how to do before stitching it on my main work, but having a sampler ready would be a better idea. Thanks so much. 😃

[@claudettethomas5921]

You have described me to a T. I bought a wonderful kit and too afraid to start. I am moving hhouse soon but I promise to try a sample first. I thank you for this teaching and how lucky we all are that we have these wonderful machine and wonderful tutor to help us keep on track. Blessing and respect to you all I am from New Zealand and so lucky to be so .

[@mihaela.929]

Tank you for covering some psychological aspects related to embroidery and for offering tips to overcome these obstacles.

[@SusanMJB45]

I'm convinced. Thank you Sarah.... I shall put some fabric in a hoop and play !!!

[@ladylee8364]

Thank you for this wonderful video its like the old saying goes practise makes perfect or as a newbie practise practise makes me feel better at doing something new so thank you

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

I use this all the time and I'm not a newbie!

[@joest5610]

Excellent video! Very helpful for any level of stitcher. Thank you!!

[@carlagrs]

thank you for this incredible lesson! Very elucidating! The sampler is the equivalent of an artist’s sketchbook. It is a place to practice, learn the process and to learn what you like or not. Gonna try this! Saluto from Italy 🙃🇮🇹🇧🇷

[@donnahicks5295]

Oh my! I love the knot gardens! Inspirational as always!! Thank you!

[@acidsupernova]

Samplers are so useful! I'm new to embroidery (loving it so much and your tutorials have helped a lot!). My mother had gifted me a kit with three patterns and I didn't know how to start. I started with a sampler for the basic stitches and was so happy to have that practice before starting my first piece. I've been knitting for many years and I always practice new techniques and stitches on cheap, junky yarn before I go ahead with my projects so I was already familiar with how useful doing the practice runs can be. Highly recommend doing sampling!

[@loraineleuschke4186]

Great advice, thank you!

[@tim1724]

I love the stumpwork butterfly on canvas!

[@luciaescobar8399]

Sara he aprendido mucho con sus videos y estoy muy interesado en tener esa especial caja de DMC de hilos dorados 24 . Muchas gracias por enseñarnos todos sus conocimientos acerca de los distintos bordados.

[@melschat4709]

Thank you for this video!

[@amandahingston5493]

Your videos are brilliant - so clear and I find them tremendously helpful. Thank you.

[@darlenemurphy1511]

You are an amazing teacher!!!! Thank you!

[@vickiboschman790]

Thank you so much!

[@raf571]

This video too was very useful, thank you. I will definitely do more sampling ❤️

[@marysharp6366]

Warming up in embroidery is like quilting it is worth quilting on scrap of fabric before you begin on quilting your quilt as it takes a little while to get your stitches even. Enjoy your videos as I like to do embroidery and have learned such a lot from your teaching. Regards from The Land of the Long White Cloud.

[@sherylloyd1937]

Truly enjoy your work and videos.

[@leisongivangomo5656]

This a great video! Thank You 😊

[@PattiMakesThis]

Thank you for another great video! I love watching you and hearing your nice calm voice! 💜

[@ritabrandow1318]

Thank you for the Awesome tips . I am slowly learning 😌

[@fayneilly833]

Great tutorial thank you 🙏 again

[@dannsherstone1037]

Thank you for Posting the finished piece on Facebook - loved seeing the closeup photo - I shared!

[@gillmae5223]

Thank you so much for these clear and easy to follow instructions.

[@sis9622]

Love this

[@annettedepete4314]

Thank u so much Sarah! This is a very helpful video.😍💕🌴

[@jenniferwaugh8796]

Hi Sarah, thank you for your very informative video, i can see it is useful to practice first.

[@helenhunter4540]

This has been very helpful. Thank you, Sarah.

[@elishagreen2954]

I just love watching and listening to you. Also I always learn so much from you! ❤️

[@janiebarney9113]

Yay thanks Sarah xx

[@suetyrrell9130]

Thank you Sarah this was so informative.👍😊

[@alisoncaputo4724]

I enjoy watching your videos as they are full of information, and I learn lots. I want to go and practice now.

[@wandagrayson646]

Another superb video, Sarah. I have some large cotton tea towels we can buy easily in the states and have all kinds of project samplings on them. But I haven’t had it to hand for a while. This was a good reminder to get it started again.

[@Early100]

Thank you for this, very helpful x

[@martic51]

Thank you!

[@lindafitzsimmons2526]

You have a wonderful personality and your samplers are a wonderful idea.

[@brendaclark2703]

Good morning Sarah. I so appreciate you! Thank you for this video! So much information and very clearly given. Love the samplers . I have difficulty figuring out which threads to use, I had some that broke with a slight tug. Very frustrating. Now, with the help of your videos, I can carry on and experiment . Thank you Sarah, so much, for everything you do 🌹🙏 have a very blessed night

[@sharronyeates6568]

Hanks for this video. So full of your years of experience. Why we all think we should be perfect when we know we are learning is beyond me. I’m a getting better beginner in my opinion😉

[@MariaMartinez-jb3zn]

Practice makes perfect yes! I always thought a sampler needed to be suitable for framing but no it doesn’t…nice to hear you still do that even though you you have been doing fun embroidery for years! Thank you for your thoughts. I’m like binge watching you today. Your voice is soothing and to the point…what a sweet person you are! 🙏🏽🙋🏻‍♀️👍🏽Mia

[@elizabethdunkley626]

A great idea. A good reference item and it boosts the confidence of the stitcher before starting a project. As there is a large number of embroidery stitches out there - we've advanced so far since the Bayeux stitch - it's worthwhile experimenting and building up your own stitch library.

[@AliciaMarkoe]

Thank you 🦋

[@heather4142]

I am the type that just jumps in head first and usually gets very frustrated because my project doesn't turn out the way I wanted. After watching your video about the process you go through, (the elephant video) I took your advice and slowed down, thought it out, looked at reference pictures, and sketched it out. It helped SO much. So now I'll have to make little sampler pieces too and try out new stitches and techniques instead of just doing it on my "final" project. Thank you for another great video! I've learned everything I know about embroidery from you and I call you my KZbin Teacher whenever I talk about my embroidery.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Glad that worked for you Heather! It's an enjoyable process too...

[@radhasrinivasan203]

Very very useful!! My samplers are All small pieces of fabrics with one or two techniques practised on a pattern.. It certainly frees me from fear which ends up being something like meditation !! As usual, a great video. Thank you so much :)

[@donnahicks5295]

Your pretty silk ribbon sampler would make a beautiful tiny clutch purse for day! But then you would have to start your sampler all over again. Oh no!! giggle

[@moniquebexplorer8237]

Thank you for sharing with us your behind the scenes experiences. What a great idea to have a practice sampler beside us to try out first. I'm a beginner at 71 with a lot of time to practice. TFS. BTW your work is lovely.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Yes, don't practice on the real thing Monique!

[@gailrands3614]

Thanks❤

[@carolaustin772]

I have taken inspiration from this video. Watched a couple of times and worked a sampler based on your amazing tutorials and using parts of the Wreath of roses. I am planning to work the whole thing now. Thank you.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

That's it Carol, practice on the sample!

[@rebeccajourney3183]

Sarah, you are invaluable to us❣ I recommend you to anyone who has any questions about how to. I find that you teach so clearly and beautifully that you allow us to relax and say, "We Can Do It!" I had a wonderfully kind, patient mother who taught me needlework. She started me with darning a sock and then sewing. She also bought me little kits to play (learn) and I loved that! While I have the ability, I find that some things like full coverage pieces or heavy beading makes me hesitate. I do plan on starting a large sampler project this year as well as a Mirabelia mermaid. I've had the charts so long I'm having trouble finding the Mill Hill beads & Kreinik metallic. If you could recommend a good source in the USA, that would be fantastic! Thank you for all you do❣

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Kreinik are American Rebecca so check out their website for suppliers. I'm not sure about Mill Hill beads, have you looked online for local suppliers? X

[@maryriley6163]

Thank you for making this video. I have always had “blank paper syndrome” and the same with delving into embroidery. Your description of doing samplers for practice has taken some the fear of failure out of it. I actually just wanted to cover some small stains on my favorite work smock. I should have practiced first because the back of the stitching looks like a serious mouse Infestation. Your video on keeping the back of the work tidy is helping immensely. Excellently produced and wonderful, easy to hear and understand.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Thank you Mary!

[@mariaconcepcionmroque8111]

🌎❤️🕊😊 😊 Hello Mrs. Homfray! Thank You So Much For Sharing Your Skills! I Love Your videos. This my first time watching your videos.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Welcome to my channel Maria!

[@dannsherstone1037]

I use a fabric sample book - the fabrics have a nice tight weave and no pattern. I glue notes & instructions to the paper backing. Most of the time I use French Knots to attach bits of samples into the book keeping things mostly organized by type of stitch. I like to be able to see the back of the stitch as well as the front.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

What a wonderful resource!

[@jacquelinewhittaker4651]

I like the tiny kite better too.

[@sandramyer7081]

So to start with muslin or calico, varies of threads, needles and hoop-

[@vanessabuck165]

Practice only makes proficient!

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Do the best you can do Vanessa, you can't do more than that!! x

[@alanadolan5464]

Thanks Sarah. Can you explain more about painting and using colored pencils on your embroidery. I’m always nervous to try it.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

I'll definitely do a video on that Alana!

[@helenreidt3315]

Goldwork...I think I am a 'fools rush in' person 😂 whew ! I was lucky.. it was perfect, thank goodness. A friend begged for it, got it framed and it hangs in her lounge...BUT I think Sarah is correct..practice first

[@forsythia33]

Thanks! It was really helpful to see your process. Can you talk more about painting fabric? It never occurred to me I could do that, even painting a picture and then embroidering over it. Do you use regular watercolor, or any special materials or methods?

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Video on that coming!