Mary of Whimsical Stitch is doing background stitch postings this month on her blog as she's promoting her new book all about background stitches (Mary's Whimsical Stitches Volume 5: Backgrounds). It's not out yet but Ruth Schmuff has a preview--
In Mary's first posting about background stitches she mentions something important about open background stitches--if you don't like the look, don't worry. You can still use them and have those holes muted if your finisher or framer puts a thin fabric behind your canvas.
Heck, you can even put a thin fabric OVER your stitches. I've done that to protect a purse that had embellished stitches I wanted to protect from snags. I've even put a gauzy fabric over the background section of a canvas only to give it a misty look. Just because you don't like open stitches, doesn't mean you can't use them. Add a bead or a cross stitch or tent stitch in the open areas, put fabric behind the stitching, or simply step away from your canvas and give it a look. Often all it takes to make you like open stitches is the normal viewing distance.
How many of us have people over who look at our stitching as closely as we do when we are creating a piece? The answer is none. (Unless you invite me, of course. I am dying to see the clever things you did up close and personal.)
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© Copyright July 2, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
