Sketchbook Development

I have found combining pen and ink drawing with collage techniques to be an effective way to experiment and push my ideas further in preparation for my embroideries, as it allows me to mix textures and and line qualities. I particularly like the combination of graphic linear shapes with cut out shapes. I want to translate this depth and texture contrast into my work in order to do this I think I need to expand my range of materials and threads. I also think the best way to interpret my drawings is by combining both machine and hand embroidery techniques. I have found that when I create embroideries without drawing references they are much less successful than when I have already considered the composition, and qualities I want to achieve.