Using Threads & Stitches to Define the Focal Point

This charming heart from lauren Bloch Designs is available in six different colors. As you can see the heart and the background both have stripes that are divided by narrow white stripes. The design is 2″ square. It’s clear that the heart is the focal point, but how do you translate that into thread and stitches?

If you used the same stitches throughout and the same thread in different colors, it would look OK, but not exciting.

Here are some ways to make the focal point in this simple canvas stand out.

1. Put attention-getting threads on the focal point. I picked three colors of metallic for the heart and three shades of floss for the baxckground. By reserving the metallics only for the heart, I made a clear distinction between focal point and background. It also lets you look at the heart first.
2. Pik threads that stand-out for the focal point. Here’s my plan for the background I’ll use Diagonal Gobellin for the colored stripes and Tent for the white. For the heart I’ll pick stitches that stand out: Obliqe Continental for the white and, probably, Herringbone, for the green stripes.
3. Outline the heart. Even though the threads and stitches makke the heart stand out, you can distinguish the heart furher by outlining it wil Whipped Backstitch.

Although your canvas may not have so clear a focal point, these guidelines will help with many canvases.