Janet Perry just posted about using blackwork patterns for backgrounds on her blog.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/blackwork-as-backgrounds
Both blackwork and darning patterns make nice backgrounds but be careful. Not every thread is suited for this, so you have to choose not only the right color but the right weight/diameter of the thread. You also have to be very careful to anchor your threads well and use long lengths to stitch with so that you don't find yourself having to end/begin a thread in the middle of a long row.
I've also found it difficult to work a blackwork pattern on top of tent stitches. Perhaps it is just me, but counting out a pattern on top of tent stitches is much harder than counting out a pattern on bare needlepoint canvas. I'm not saying don't use these patterns; I'm just saying they are not like regular background stitches.
Joan Thomasson uses a lot of blackwork-type patterns on the dresses of her angel ornaments. She recommends using less thread for the tent stitch base under the patterns and that seems to work well for me. If you are not familiar with Joan's angels, you can see a great many of them on her website.
http://www.stitchinstuff.com/ProductCategories.aspx
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
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