I been stuck for awhile on my current project, this chocolate chip cookie from Little Shoppe Canvas Company. It’s easy enough to see the chocolate chips but the cookie is two colors close in value in irregular blobs. They can be hard to see.
First I tried stitching it in my usual evening stitching chair — no go, I couldn’t tell the colors apart. Next I tried stitching in my office stitchy chair. This chair is in front of one window and next to another one. It also has a daylight lamp. This was better but not great.
Last week in desperation I decided to make it my car project, figuring that in sunlight I might be able to see it OK. The first day I worked on it was foggy and cloudy. That natural light was no better than the chair in my office.
But the last two days have been sunny. Suddenly I can see the colors. And I’m stitching it much faster than under any other light. This is true whether my work is in the sun or in shadow.
I don’t know scientifically why this works but I think it’s because overall there is both more light and more light from reflection when you are outside.
I know where I’ll be stitching this summer!
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
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