the idea here (continued from) is to cover the sketched base with stitch. the base is both a guide and a stabilizer. the fabric underneath is a slippery old light faded slk jacquard, i am using a split stitch to fade the embroidery into the sateen weave base. this is part of my march TIF and it is a gift, so it will be completed at spirit cloth. the method works well, but it is quite slow.