Originally Posted by
selm
Another thing you can do that saves on fabric is use a practice piece twice. The second time use a different color thread so you can analyze where you have stitched. ....
I have done this often - but I have also been known to put a fresh piece of muslin on the top after several rounds to get even more use out of the practice piece.
When I start to practice, I always start with either a dry erase board or paper then progress to the machine. The dry erase board and paper help me practice and prepare for those "I need to fill in that space" issues. If it is a big or special project and I want to make sure I got the pattern nailed down I sometimes do yardage - I put a busy fabric on the back and a plain fabric on top - do my practice (easier to see the quilting on the plain side as you go and not really evident on the busy side lol) and when done use the quilted fabric for small projects (bags etc) as gifts.