Black Aida Cloth

[Kathy]

Hi Everyone,
I am working on a cross stitch kit for my grandson. The picture has 2 white wolves looking from behind white birch trees . This is being stitched on black Aida cloth. This is my first time working with black.

I am having a devil of a time getting my stitches even. I replaced my light bulb for higher and brighter wattage. Is there anything else that I can do to make this easier?

Thanks for any suggestions.
Kathy

[cookie2]

I did a skull and cross bones for my daughter in black aida and had a very hard time with it. I kept going crossed eyed working with it. My problem is, I need to make another one and I have been putting it off because of my seeing it. I would like an answer to this problem too.

[Nachstenliebe]

When I use dark fabric it helps for me if I put something white on my lap underneath.. it helps me get a better alignment of where the holes are.. Hope that helps
Faith

[Rose]

A light cloth across your lap as was already suggested or if you have a small light that you can set on the floor by your feet that will also help a brighter higher watt light bulb is ok but if you can find a daylight/ott lamp it can be a lifesaver. I have a tall one on a stand and it also has a floss organizer and a place for attaching a mag. But they also make them that are table size so not so expensive (I have one of those also for my bedroom)

[andrea42]

My youngest son is into white tigers all of the sudden so he wants his on black aida. Im used to gridding which is hard to do on that color also. But like the others are saying if you put something white under it or light it should help. Ill let you know as im starting his tonite lol.

[Sarah Gixxer]

I agree with the others and would suggest putting something white on your lap so it helps show where the holes are. I stitched a large project on very dark navy blue a while back and a lot of the floss I was using was black and grey - I found the use of a pale cloth underneath was a great help.

[skitzzzzz]

if you want to grid black then i use a sewline pencil it has white leads, only used black leads so far but its a great pencil to use

[MaggieM1750]

I was going to suggest gridding with quilting/ tailoring chalk. I bought some for a tree skirt in my stash. It is on navy fabric. When I bought my colored marker for light fabric, I thought to pick up chalk for my navy as well.

[HalbertMusik]

Hello-

I understand the problem as I am doing a kit on Navy 14 ct aida. The only advice I gan give is:

1. Put something light- or white- coloured beneath it, and

2. Lots of illuminating light!

William

[andrea42]

Well I started on the black fabric last night and i have a very bright light. Thankfully the project isnt to big so i was able to hold it up to see it. The only problem I have is that the black aida is much stiffer than any other i have. I tried to grid and well wasnt doing so well. I can see a little bit I used a white colored pencil just hoping that i can get the marks out. Thanks about the chalk though never thought about that. This is the first time i have used a colored fabric other than the sk for the haed sal im doing is a lighter blue.

[Kathy]

Thanks for the wonderful suggestions for working on the black Aida cloth. I used the white under the cloth and it did make a difference. But not as much a I had hoped for. So this afternnon I went out and purchased an Ott light. What a difference it made. My husband even purchased one for when he does his wood working project, making doll houses and barns for the grandkids.
Thank you again for being so helpful and friendly.
Kathy

[Rose]

We are glad we could be of help.