The Girl with a Pearl Earring
This is my current WIP. I started on her a month or so ago, but haven't done much since I came down with this dang cold. I haven't stitched on black fabric before, but now I'm wishing I had done this on 28ct instead of 14ct. It's been a fun stitch, but I wish she'd quit watching me!
Posted by: susiebelle7 on 08/19/18
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I also just finished this but used 28 count linen and stitched the entire background in black and dark navy blue - I used over 112 colors and it looks outstanding. Now I need to steam, block and frame my masterpiece. Yours is lovely also and good job!
by: lajamaru on 08/19/18
Very beautiful. You have done a great job.
by: deirdre on 08/19/18
Beautiful job!
I agree, try your next project in a 28- count, perhaps a 28-count evenweave? You would only have to go ‘over 2’ on the 28-count and still come out the same size as doing it ‘over 1’ aida, PLUS I think you would like the ‘finer background look’ of the fabric that is showing if you decide to NOT add matting when you get it framed.
LOL! It does get disconcerting her staring at you while you’re stitching: probably the same if you cross stitched the ‘Mona Lisa’!
by: Bermuda on 08/19/18
Please don't think I'm new to stitching because I stitched this on 14ct. I've been stitching since I was 8 years old, I'm now 70 years old. I do all of my projects on higher count fabric, but for whatever reason decided to do this one on 14ct. I did not want to stitch the black background, for one. Maybe I just needed a break from floor stands and magnifiers. I've stitched Thea Gouverneur's cityscapes, tons of HAED designs, zillions of samplers, plus I do canvas work, needlepoint, and hardanger. Other than Thea, I don't have a favorite designer. I'll stitch just about anything that appeals to me at the time.

P.S. I have stitched the Mona Lisa, too.
by: susiebelle7 on 08/19/18
No, I never considered you new to stitching and if you were new, I’d still discuss evenweave fabrics, my favorite, since I love the results. Have some linen in my stash I may use on some small projects to break up the monotony that can happen with my larger WIPs. :)
by: Bermuda on 08/19/18
Bermuda, have you ever stitched on 26ct Etamin? It's an evenweave and my favorite. It's soft and drapes very nicely. I used to buy it from Nordic Needle, but they are sold out and won't be getting anymore since they've closed their store. I have a small piece left, and don't know where I'm going to get it now. It's made by Ubelhor of Austria.
by: susiebelle7 on 08/19/18
Never heard of that type of evenweave!! Sounds beautiful like the drape and softness of Jobelan and Lugana.
That is what is sad about fabrics, some get discontinued
And you can never find them again....🙁
by: Bermuda on 08/19/18
Did you try ‘The Silver Needle’ for that fabric?
Their e-mail is: “lindy@thesilverneedle.com”. I believe they are located in Oklahoma.
by: Bermuda on 08/19/18
What beautiful work! That would definitely be disconcerting though, with her staring at you while you stitch!!! Black fabric can be a real chore. I find that a light beneath the work or a white towel/piece of fabric on the floor or lap underneath really helps the eyes.
by: craftydivakat on 08/19/18
Bermuda, I haven't actually looked for Etamin yet, but The Silver Needle is definitely on my list to check.

Crafty, you're right about the white fabric underneath when working on black fabric. I'm using a table-top stand to stitch this project, and it's sitting on my dining room table on a white table cloth. Works well!
by: susiebelle7 on 08/20/18