Cross stitch: are certain fabric colors easier to work with?

[LucyInTheSky]

I'm thinking of doing a Mario cross stitch where I would want to use a black base fabric... I can't think of the correct term for the cross stitch fabric, but it's the Aida brand that JoAnns sells. I've always worked with light ones (white, off white, baby blue) and I'm wondering if the black will be harder to work with and harder to see the holes on. Any thoughts are appreciated!

Thanks

[Killerbunny]

Speaking from personal experience, here's what I've found. I had an easier time seeing the holes in black Aida compared to white, however, the grid itself was more difficult to see on black. /shrug. I enjoyed working with both, and didn't find one worlds easier than the other. You should be fine making the switch.

[Yurtle]

A lot of people will suggest that you put a white blanket on your lap and have lots of light in the room when working with black aida. That certainly does help you see the holes. I actually prefer to work with black. It's easier on my eyes. But white is more common to work with. Working with other colours is definitely a convenience thing as well so that you don't necessarily have to stitch the entire background. I like to mix it up a lot. Try it out and if you have any problems working with the black, let us know and we'll see if we can come up with more ideas to make it easier!

[Lord Libidan]

Well actually I did the opposite of you, I started with black, and then moved to white. Although I hated white at first, it really doesn't matter as long as your work area is well light. As other people have said, black is easier to see holes, but you can see the 'cells' of white better... It might be a bit difficult to get used to when you start, but it isn't anything big, you'll get used to it quickly enough...
Also, its just called aida cloth. It does have an old name, but it changed a long time ago, so you don't really hear that term anymore...

[blackmageheart]

* Moved to Techniques / Guides *

[LucyInTheSky]

Thank you all for your reassurance! I feel much better about diving into the world of black Aida cloth! Thanks

[Icedevimon13]

Personally I've always found black anything to be hard to work with. Black backgrounds for sites, black aida... It seems to be the opposite for most other people though. Very strange. My eyes must be weird x.x I have no problems at all seeing a grid or cells on white fabric. Black fabric, as others have said, I have a harder time seeing the cells. It'll be fine though. If you're used to stitching you can just run the needle along the fabric until it pops into the hole anyway.

[predawn]

Like Icedevimon, black Aida is the bane of my existence. I much prefer white or other lighter colors. A white towel or blanket in your lap will work wonders, and make sure that you have adequate lighting. What I like to do is clip a book light onto my hoop for some extra light, especially right now as I am stitching black on black. x__x Best of luck!

[Menolly07]

Black is a pain to work with. Unless you have lots of light or, ideally, can BACKLIGHT it. Herrschner's has a laptop light that you work over. If you don't want to shell out for something like that/don't plan to work with a lot of darker colours a simple clamp on book light will work well. You need to move it time to time to light different areas, but it works really well.

[spinuntilyoufall]

I'm working on a space pattern right now on black Aida (WIP pics coming soon,) and I keep my pattern on my lap for a white backdrop and lots of good lighting - I find that the most challenging thing is getting comfy - I stitch on the couch while I watch TV, and with other colors I can sit back and lounge, with black I have to get just the right angle to see the holes.

Plus, I'm using a lot of dark colors - so I find I need a higher level of concentration to keep track of what I've done as it's not as easy to see all the stitches and I jump around (not recommended )

But, it looks freaking awesome on the black, so it's totally worth it!