The focal point of the design is the black lines with a clef and musical notes. While it would be easy to stitch everything using one thread, I want to clef and notes to stand out. Therefore I’ll be using two threads. Very Velvet will be used for the lines and something sparkly, probably Water n’Ice for the clef and notes.
But how do you tell where one ends and the other begins when everything is black?
I’ve come up with three ways to do this. Your goal here is to make it easier for you to distinguish areas stitched with one thread from areas stitched with the other.
Mark the Edges
As long as you will be using threads that are not transparent and stitches with full coverage you can mark the edges of the accented areas. Do this using a very fine-point brush and white craft paint. If it will cover black, you can also use a pen safe for fabric with white ink. (In my testing few of these pens cover well enough.)
Dot with your brush each intersection of the outline. Let dry before stitching.
Stitch the Outline
In order to do this be sure that you can see the holes of the canvas clearly.
Using your background thread, stitch the outlines of each of the focal areas.
This serves two purposes. First, it defines the areas that will be the focal points so that you can stitch them later. Second, once the edges are stitched, you can easily stitch all the rest of the background.
Stitch the Accent Areas
This also requires you to be able to see the holes clearly.
Here instead of stitching the outlines in the background, you will stitch each of the accent areas completely.
This works well when you want to be more frugal in your use of thread or when the accent areas are too far apart for the thread to travel (more than 1/2″
Final Notes
These three techniques can be used any time you have accents that are against a background the same color. If you are stitching on a color, you may be able to mark the outline with a black or colored extra-fine point pen or a brush marker. (Remember always to use pens safe for marking fabric.)
In addition if you are working on a color you may not have to be as concerned about light.
PLEASE NOTE: My stitch guide for this canvas and for the other colors of bells (red and green) and for the other shape (stars) will be available in June 2017.
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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