From Cameo

Before you give up stitching on the black competely, try these tips and tricks:

1. Sit by a bright light with a white towel or pillow or sheet in your lap. The light will bounce off the white item, making the holes easier to see. You can also use a red fabric instead of white. The red contrasts nicely with the dark fabric and shows well through the holes.

2. Put a small lamp on the floor across the room from you or down by your feet (depending on how you stitch). The light shines up through the holes, again making it easier to see where the next stitch goes.

3. Another idea for you to try - buy a snakelight and attach it to your scroll frame, then twist so it's in the back.

4. Try stitching early in the day when your eyes are fresh, instead of at night when your eyes are tired.

5. Try stitching outside in sunlight to see if that helps.

Personally, I found the light near my feet was the trick that worked for me. But all these are valid ideas ... find the one that works best for you!

---------------

From: eheinem@pressenter.com
Date: March 31, 1998

I liked your tip of using a white piece of cloth behind your work, but I use something that is better and easier for me. I use a night light! It isn't too hot to place on my lap while I am working (I am usually wearing sweat pants). I just connect it to an extension cord and I unplug it whenever I put down my work.

---------------

From: KMC528@aol.com
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1998

I bought a 3-way light bulb, 50-200-250 watts, which I use ONLY when I'm working on black fabric. Most 3-way lamps are only fire-safe up to 150, so you will need to also stop at Home Depot and buy a 3-way socket that is rated at 250 or above. It's a simple matter to install the socket; my dad did it in about 5 minutes. Makes all the difference in the world!

---------------

From: Unicorn@tns.net
Date: Thu, 03 Sep 1998

I find working on dark colors in the natural light (for instance outside) much easier on the eyes. I am doing something on navy blue heatherfield and it goes better in the daylight.

---------------

From: Gerry
Date: April 11, 2000

Quick trick for stitching on dark fabrics -- Get a piece of tailor's chalk (sold in any fabric store) and brush on to the top of the fabric. It makes the holes show up immediately and very clearly. It brushes right off and will not stain. I suffered through navy blue evenweave last year, till a friend told me about this.

To which KMC528@aol.com added on April 11, 2000:

But only use it on the section you're immediately planning to work on, since if you coat the entire surface, it will brush off before you get down to the far corner!