Whatever I decide to use, I always iron a very lightweight stabilizer onto the back making it very embroidery friendly.....fits nicely into a hoop. I have used muslin, linen and many different types of fabric. The stabilizer makes it work.

Ladyinpurple135 must have gone to same school as I; I learned to hand embroider in convent school and we made our own clothing outfits for leaving at almost 17 years. Worked with embroidery firm, sewing tapestries and helped nuns in nearby convent stitching Church banners. In 1976 I came across this pattern in[ATTACH=CONFIG]533326[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]533327[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]533328[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]533329[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]533330[/ATTACH] Woman's Day magazine; bought and stitched the patterns. Herewith pics of my set (kept in drawer for last 40 years), including a pic of the reverse side of chair back to show need to keep back of sewing as close to perfect as we could. I did not learn to line materials with stabilizers and don't really see the need unless using delicate fabric; Irish Linen was the fabric choice way back then. Now I'm 75, patchwork sew and use an embroidery machine; In July I began hand applique of Kay Karen Buckley's Majestic Mosaic quilt, almost completed 1st block then had 2 spells in hospital in August after suffering 2 strokes. Right hand is still numb but usable for most tasks but awkward when using pins and needles. However, I'm plodding along and have done 4 more of first 5 blocks so fingers crossed for further improvement in time.

Beautiful almost Jacobean embroidery. To be treasured. Keep stitching.