The reverse, the side which shows all the knots, the loose threads, the mistakes if there are any (there usually are). Back it, cover it with cloth and create beautiful edges? Or not. The swatch books I have been working on over the past couple of months have had unlined pages, no backings. The first swatch book I made, this one, all the pieces in this one have completely untouched reverses, they're raw, knots, mistakes, loose threads all visible.
My second swatch book, the one in progress which this piece is for still has those knots, loose threads and mistakes visible on the back only with this one I am embellishing the reverse, not hiding the knots and things, just creating a more aesthetically pleasing home for them.
A new class.....all things cloth, all things embroidery, beginning in less than 3 weeks. You can read more here.