Remember when I said fancy stitches on dark painted canvas with dark threads are a waste of time because they don't show up? Ignore that today.
It's Exception Monday, and proof that every rule has exceptions is in this photograph. Compare the Dotted Swiss stitched sleeve linings to the obi or cumberbund around the rabbit's waist. Done with the same threads (sparkling Snow and not particularly shiny Splendor silk) in the same dark navy, you can still see a pattern of the alternating shiny and dull areas on the obi that you can't see in the sleeve lining because those stitches (alternating tent stitches and cross stitches) are so small. The obi uses Tony Minieri's Russell Variant stitch (link below) so you have much larger areas of the two threads.
http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/2009/jul.php
I didn't even have to enhance the photograph much for you to see the two harlequin patterns on the obi. I'd have to enhance the photo, magically transport you to Chilly Hollow, and hand you a magnifier under a good light for you to see the difference in the two threads on the Dotted Swiss area. Morale: each rule has exceptions. If you can get texture contrast in a fairly large area, you can put pattern in very dark threads. I wanted some pattern on the obi using the navy threads so this is what I came up with.
The scan shows up two light areas on the right side I'll have to check. Either I missed stitches or the thread isn't covering completely there. While I look at that area in the morning sun, you might enjoy a trip to Terry Dryden's blog. Terry is starting a new design, one using photo transfer. It's going to be fun to watch! (If you are late reading this, look for the entries starting on August 15th, 2009 and work forwards to the latest entry.
http://www.terrydryden.com/
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow
