The prevailing advice for backgrounds is that they should take a back seat to the focal point. That’s true and most of the time we achieve it by picking stitches that are smaller or more open than the focal point. This does not always have to be the case. I’ve been thinking about the two canvases pictured above and why they work when the focal point is Tent and the background is a highly textured stitch I usually wouldn’t use for backgrounds. The Indian pots canvas uses Oriental, below top. The kimono uses Jacquard 4, below bottom.
The key to making this work is that both focal points, while stitched in Tent are detailed and dramatic. The pots have a wonderful attached plate. The kimono has the dramatically colored Noh mask. In addition, they are contained in a small area. if I tried to do this with an open bouquet of flowers or a landscape, it would not work as well.
When you have detailed but contained focal points, think outside the usual stitches for your background.
Good news! The thread for my packages is n its way, so Ill be back on track, i hope, for next week.
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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