Stitches

do you cross stitch the dark threads first or is it the light threads help?

is it easier to cross stitch the lighter crass first or should one do the dark one

Public Comments

1. It is personal choice. If it is a large project the light threads could become grubby with all the handling so traditionally you would complete the dark colours first.
2. trial and error
3. I do dark first as it is usually for outline of pattern.
4. It's best to do the light colours first. When you clip the ends of the thread on the back of your work, quite often small tails of thread come through to the right side. A dark thread on a white background is more noticeable than a white one on a dark background.
5. I have had several patterns that one color is predominate so that is the one I went to first to make sure I had the right amount of thread and could order more while I continued on with the rest. Actually since I do not do the counted stitch way to sew the pattern I am now in the process of doing one section of the pattern at a time. This is because the patterns I have been working on have anywhere from 8 to 16 pages of stitching to finish it. This helps me to finish the project more quickly and I don't get tired of it. If your interested in my method email me and I will let you know how it's done.
6. For me it depends. If there is a lot of dark I do it first as I find that if you do the dark last the light stitches get slightly pulled down and the dark stitches are more on top and stand out a bit more. Catrina
7. If you are using a scroll frame and washing your hands carefully before stitching, it doesn't matter all that much. For me, it is easier to follow the pattern and work in sections at a time rather than skipping around depending on lighter or darker. If you follow a section instead, you are less likely to make counting mistakes. This is totally personal decision.