Can you give me some hints for stitching on dark fabric?

In order to achieve clear, crisp colors in your stitches on a very dark fabric (not just black, but navy, hunter green, burgundy, etc.) you will probably need to use more thread than usual – three ply floss for 14 stitched to the inch. This may seem a little thick at first, but with care will look beautiful and come naturally to you. Remember to strip the floss (separate the strands and lay them back together again) and “lay” them so that the strands do not twist, but lay next to each other for maximum coverage. Guide the thread over a finger of your non-needle-holding hand. Maintain a soft even tension so that most of the thread remains on the surface of the fabric.

Another hint that will help make these very dark fabrics easier to see if to lay a white cloth on your lap. Hopefully you have a good light at your side or over your shoulder, and that light will reflect off the white surface up through the holes of the dark fabric.

Information from Cross Country Stitching Magazine columns "Ask Judie" - Judie Solomon, Thistle Needleworks & "Carol’s Crafty Corner" - Carol Rice, The Craft Menagerie

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