The local discount store sells white table cloths; I have 3 and designate uses for each one such as Christmas, the 4th, Spring etc. This is always a work in progress. Stitch the design, use the cloth and stitch another design when ready. Should one of the desgns have a problem, a little hand stitching fixes the situation. Pillow cases are another good blank for stitchouts. Children love them.

I sew on a similar fabric to the final product (with stabilizer, etc.) and I keep them with printouts from teh designs where I note the colors I used, etc. They are not put to a "useful" purpose but I can refer back when I want to do that design again.

I keep them as a future reference with which colours I have used. Sometimes I make a pillow or little bag with the designs. ***

You can cut squares in white and do your testing on this. Afterwards you can use it to make duvets for infants in cots and send it to institutions. They are always very grateful for this.

I have a bag or 2 of stitchouts. I like the pillow case idea, and the table cloth ideas. Thanks so much for the question. Live Laugh Download Stitch!

I have them sorted in to types and on a clip. So when a customer wants to see some designs, I can show them the clip with designs on that they might be interested in.

Thank-you for asking the question. I was wondering the same thing also. You got some good answers. I have been just using a piece of material and moving the hoop around on it to an open space to test stitch. Couldn't use it for anything afterwards. I didn't want to waste the material.

When I test business logos for customers I keep them to refer back to for thread colours. When I test the designs that I put on my website I give them to a local group of quilters who quilt for charity. It did take me a while to find the group but in the end I just bumped into a lady in the local fabric store who was shopping for fat quarters for quilts for the healing hearts foundation.

Thank you for all your replies,I think you Cuties are so well organised,The table cloths seem like a great idea for the little designs could turn out a work of art...

I'm a little weird I guess, I just stick a pin in it and stick it on the wall!

interesting question and answers - thanks.

I don't test, but I just sew and embroider for fun. If I had a business, I probably would.

I have an old bath towel to test towel designs, old tee shirts to test tee designs and plain old muslin. I keep the test designs that are good in a box. When you need a quick gift and do not have time to emb. I Pick something out if the box and applique it on something nice. Nothing goes to waste.Suzanne

Lately I have learned how to create coasters. So if I want to try out a design I create a coaster, which is always pratical for use too.

Some great answers.to do something creative with them that would be a challenge,the table cloth idea I liked

Try making a lap throw. Stitch them all together like a quilt / patchwork blanket and use it when it is cold over your lap, as a present, etc.

I have them in a plastic sleeve in a three ring binder so that I can show others what I have done and what I can do.
Cindy B.

wow good question

I bought duck, broadcloth, and knit but the yard and use that to test. Also, I buy so many kitchen towels on sale and sometimes I discover upon opening them up that the lighting in the stores has faded the folds of the towels and I can not sell them so I use those as test and I use them in my kitchen as the function has not changed. Sometimes I stitch on felt and use as toilet paper covers. My instructor used to say " There are those who test and those who wished they had " and she is so true. I know in the past that some have donated to local quilt clubs all their test stitches. That is a nice thing to do. Kay

I raided the dollar store.Pot holders ,dish towels and bandanas.If the test comes out good I can sell it if it doesn't it goes on the wall or my three yr old finds it...lol

Thank you for all the interesting ideas,will keep an outlook for bargain tablecloths.