Thoughts on fabric color
I just ordered this to make in honor of my older sister who was just diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. She loves elephants and has only 6-12 months left with us so I wanted to do this in honor/memory of her, if its too late when its finished I will be framing it and saving it for her now 16-month old daughter for when shes old enough to appreciate a non-toy gift.

My main question is that since the silhouettes are black would working on black fabric save time in the stitching process or should I just suck it up and buy all the black thread and stitch on white?

I'm 29 so working on black fabric is not that hard on the eyes for me, and sorry for the sob story above, I'm not looking for sympathy or pity, just wanted to let you all know that I'm on a bit of a time limit for this one, hence the question.

Thanks!
Posted by: hodgeymegan on 01/17/17
Megan, First of all....I am sorry to hear the news concerning your sister. I have been there. I lost my older sister many years ago after her battle with lung cancer. I think this design would be either a very special "gift"..or a great "tribute" to your sister with the thought that none of you will ever forget her... The picture is basically 20 inches wide x 9 inches high on 14 count aida. I think you could complete this rather quickly. Because of the "gravity" of what this picture will mean...I would definitely do the whole thing on the white aida cloth. The entire picture is stitched. Life is so unfair sometimes...especially because she has a young daughter. I will keep your sister and all of you....in my prayers.
by: jerseycrafter on 01/17/17
Jerseycrafter- well said. Megan, I hope working on this project will give you respite in the days to come. I think in the long run you will be happier if you stitch the whole thing. Stay strong.
by: murillome on 01/17/17
I too am sorry for what you're going through. Another thought on the stitched piece would be to find some hand dyed fabric in multi colors and just stitch the elephants and black on the bottom. Picture this Plus has some great fabric. Not sure if ECS carries them but they have their own web site.
by: peapodpard on 01/18/17
Consider making a color copy of this pattern and frame it. Your sister is special. She will be able to enjoy what the finished will look like.
by: NANCYE G on 01/18/17
Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts. I just received this pattern in the mail and the photo on the site doesn't do it justice as to how truly beautiful it is and will be once its completed. Its a smaller project at only 10 pages which i know for sure I will be able to get done in no longer than three or four months. I'm praying that my sister is still with us once its done but coming home from work every day to work on it will definitely make me think of all the fond memories I have of her regardless of whether or not its done in time.

I've decided that this pattern and what it represents is too precious to me to take any 'shortcuts' with the fabric color and I will be picking up my 14 count white aida tomorrow after work.
by: hodgeymegan on 01/30/17
Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts. I just received this pattern in the mail and the photo on the site doesn't do it justice as to how truly beautiful it is and will be once its completed. Its a smaller project at only 10 pages which i know for sure I will be able to get done in no longer than three or four months. I'm praying that my sister is still with us once its done but coming home from work every day to work on it will definitely make me think of all the fond memories I have of her regardless of whether or not its done in time.

I've decided that this pattern and what it represents is too precious to me to take any 'shortcuts' with the fabric color and I will be picking up my 14 count white aida tomorrow after work.
by: hodgeymegan on 01/30/17
Hi Megan,

I'm so very sorry to hear this news. What a lovely thing to do for your Sister. We are honoured that you chose our design.

I agree that white fabric and stitching it all will look great. We have a finished picture of this one in our gallery on our Artecy Cross stitch website. It looks stunning once stitched.

On 14 count, when stitching with black cotton, sometimes with two strands the white fabric can show through a little. I personally stitch on 18 count for this reason as I think it gives better coverage with two strands, especially if there are alot of dark colours in the design. You can do a test on a piece of 14 count fabric to see if you are happy with the coverage with just two strands, you may wish to use three strands instead. Alternatively I have heard, but not tested myself, that anchor black cotton is slightly thicker than DMC black cotton, so some of our stitchers use anchor for black instead. Hope this information helps and you enjoy stitching this design and are happy with the results.

Best Wishes to you and all your family.

Tereena
Artecy Cross Stitch
by: artecy on 02/01/17
Having a husband who has conquered cancer and is still in good health nine years later I can relate to your position. All the best and I hope your sister sees the completed picture as I think it is very beautiful. Artecy patterns are very pretty and I have a few to do (sometime) and don't they have great customer service. Tereena is always ready to help and give advice in their patterns.
by: deirdre on 02/02/17