advice needed for dark fabric

[jmk73]

Does anyone have a suggestion for how to stitch with black thread on black aida cloth? I'm fine when using other colors of thread, but the black on black is next to impossible. I purchased a lighted magnifier, but I still can't see it well enough. Also the cloth I'm using, which came with a kit, has very small squares so that doesn't help. I've already completed about half of the project but am stuck with the black part. Unfortunately it's a large piece of the overall picture and can't be left out (black lab dog). Thanks!

[Nicola Main]

I wonder if you could maybe put something light behind it so you could see the holes better? Anything would do a piece of paper, a bed sheet or a towel anything! I'm sure I've read that somewhere for when you're stitching with dark coloured fabric. Regards, Nicola

[Mabel Figworthy]

Yes, that was my idea too, put a white napkin or pillow case (or cat ) on your lap and that should make the holes easier to see - you might still struggle to see which stitches have already been done, although even there it should help as squares with stitches won't have holes that show up so well.

[DisneyStitcher]

Try a white towel or pillowcase on your lap first. If that doesn't work, you could use a wafer light. Search for light box/art box/wafer light and look for one that will not generate heat. Good luck!

[Garnet]

Hi,

I have used a plain white pillowcase over one of those tap-lights, you know the kind that you touch to make it come on and go off. I used a pillowcase over it to cut the glare and it worked for me.

It did take a bit of getting used to and I found it better to stitch in daylight rather than with my daylight lamp as the black fabric was "deadened" under the light - if that makes sense, I hope I have explained it well enough.

Hope this helps.

Garnet

[Mabel Figworthy]

If you have an artist's lightbox that might provide a nice "spread" light held on your lap, if covered with some thin material against glare.

[richardandtracy]

I struggled with this myself. In the end I came to the conclusion in my pictures that leaving the fabric visible was not a problem. Maybe you can see whether you think not stitching the black background was detrimental in these pictures:

(28ct evenweave, 2 over 1 tent stitch)

(14ct Aida, 2 over 1 full cross)

(14ct Aida, 2 over 1 full cross)

I think they went OK, particularly the top one. I suspect the same will occur in your picture.

Regards,

Richard.