Blue Jay,
I have to use a hoop when I stitch. It helps me to do nicer stitching and have something sturdier to hold onto. I use the bumpy side of the Aida cloth. I think it helps me see the holes better. I guess it's all just a personal preference.
Jacquie

Thank you Jacquie, I know I should use a hoop or a frame (sigh) but its just so much more comfortable to fold the canvas and stitch in hand. For me its as much about the personal enjoyment of the creative process, as it is the finished project and I take them everywhere I go, so portability is a priority too. Excuses I guess, but for me, valid excuses none the less!

And yes I guess the bumpy side is easier to stitch. The flat side is a little harder. On a recent project I used the flat side for the first time accidentally and it did help keep the stitches more uniform. But then I fretted that I had used the wrong side and ruined the project. Ultimately I had to let go of that and just appreciate that it looked okay anyway. Maybe there really isn't a right or wrong side, front or back side, just whatever works best for the project.

I never thought of Aida cloth having a front or back side. Guess I'll have to pay more attention in the future to see which is easier to stitch on.

Nice work! I really like the letters in that design :)

As to front or back of Aida - it depends on the brand! Some is smoother than others. I like to have the smoother side facing out actually - I think it makes a prettier finish in the end, but that may be my prejudice from liking evenweave fabrics for their "finer" finish when they show. I feel like the smoother side also makes my stitches look more even.

Thank you craftydivakat! I am beginning to warm up to using either side depending upon the project. I am a "work in progress" too. I did an 18 pt Dimensions kit on the flat side and it did make the stitches a lot more uniform. In contrast I did a kind of antique-y piece bumpy side up and it "fit" the piece somehow. But I do agree with Jacquie that its easier to stitch into the holes, bumpy side up. This photo is not the best I have ever taken but I wanted to share it. Maybe when its done I will take another. Hi there, astitchintime!

LOL You got me inspecting what i am working on to see if there is a front and back and on this piece of material and so far I can't tell the difference. I will have to pay more attention on my next project. Your work is beautiful!!

Please don't fret about it tspitz. 😃 On closer inspection I just realized I used the flat side on this one, (not intended) and you know, I think I like it better this way. Had to do some frogging this afternoon. No matter what side of the canvas you are working in, THAT process is still the same. 😊Fortunately it was only about 20 stitches though. And thank you. Everybody here does beautiful work.

Well I was wondering how to share photo updates of work as it goes along without starting a new topic. Not being tech savvy anymore I managed to upload this to "the cloud" as they call it. Wondering if I can see it and if anyone else can. Please let me know. Here goes...

Well.... So much for that experiment. You have to copy and paste into your browser window to see it. Too cumbersome.
Guess I will just have to wait til I am all finished unless anyone knows an easy way to post a photo directly into a reply here?

Aha! Got it! I removed the old photo on the topic and replaced it with the updated one. It was that simple. So if anyone else has work they want to share as it goes along, thats the way to keep in topic and do it if you would like.