Odd design decision

IIRC, there are a couple of designers in here, so maybe I can get an
answer to a mystery of my current project. I'm working on Janlynn's
"Christmas Story Ornaments", and I can live with the quarter stitches
on Aida [even if some of my fingertips aren't sure they'll be speaking
to me after this project :-)]. What stumps me is the designer's color
decisions. WHAT possessed her to call for DMC 746 on Antique White????
There is virtually no contrast between the two in my domestic
lighting, which makes seeing where I've been [especially whether I've
done those pesky quarter stitches] a major challenge.

Why use a color that close to the background color, anyway?

--
"The universe is quite robust in design and appears to be
doing just fine on its own, incompetent support staff notwithstanding.
:-)" - the Dennis formerly known as (evil), MCFL

In article , Seanette Blaylock
writes:

Why use a color that close to the background color, anyway?

Because it drives you up the wall!

I did a lovely pillow for Mom on black/red/green plaid Cornerblock, and after
finishing, realized I had a lot more stitching to do. The designer had alluded
to snow on the white fabric. I, OTOH, had a pale blue line across some nice
black mud. Quick, grab the white and the pearl BF and fake a snow mound! I
really wish that designer *had* used a color close to the background color,
just in case some of us didn't stitch it on white.


--
Finished 12/14/03 -- Mermaid (Dimensions)
WIP: Angel of Autumn, Calif Sampler, Holiday Snowglobe, Guide the Hands (2d
one)

Paralegal - Writer - Editor - Researcher
http://hometown.aol.com/kmc528/KMC.html

S (Karen C - California) had some very interesting
things to say about Odd design decision:

Why use a color that close to the background color, anyway?
Because it drives you up the wall!

I was trying to give the designer the benefit of the doubt and assume
she wasn't deliberately torturing stitchers. ;-)

I did a lovely pillow for Mom on black/red/green plaid Cornerblock, and after
finishing, realized I had a lot more stitching to do. The designer had alluded
to snow on the white fabric. I, OTOH, had a pale blue line across some nice
black mud. Quick, grab the white and the pearl BF and fake a snow mound! I
really wish that designer *had* used a color close to the background color,
just in case some of us didn't stitch it on white.

Cornerblock?
--
"The universe is quite robust in design and appears to be
doing just fine on its own, incompetent support staff notwithstanding.
:-)" - the Dennis formerly known as (evil), MCFL

On 1/28/04 9:17 PM,"Seanette Blaylock"
posted:

to me after this project :-)]. What stumps me is the designer's color
decisions. WHAT possessed her to call for DMC 746 on Antique White????
There is virtually no contrast between the two in my domestic
lighting, which makes seeing where I've been [especially whether I've
done those pesky quarter stitches] a major challenge.

Why use a color that close to the background color, anyway?

Sometimes the designer does that to just have a texture, rather than a
distinct color line. Or, she wants that to be a background color which is
similar to the ground fabric, but doesn't want the ground fabric to show
itself.

I know it's annoying, but there's probably a reason. From the color cards,
it looks like there should be some difference in the colors, but, it's not
always so.

Good luck,
ellice

Why use a color that close to the background color, anyway?

Part of the problem is that you design either on paper or computer, and haven't
necessarily chosen the fabric color yet.

I usually leave that until I have the colors chosen already, and then choose a
color that works with the overall piece. Sometimes one of the colors in the
stitching does match or come very close to the color of the fabric, but it's
not intentional on my part, it's just what I felt would work overall for the
entire piece.

I hope that made sense, I haven't had my coffee yet! lol

Caryn
Blue Wizard Designs
http://hometown.aol.com/crzy4xst/index.html
Updated: 7/7/03 -- now available Dragon of the Stars
View WIPs at: http://community.webshots.com/user/carynlws (Caryn's UFO's)

In article , Seanette Blaylock
writes:

Cornerblock?

Plaid in the corners, plain in the middle. There may be a photo of it on the
CharlesCraft site.


--
Finished 12/14/03 -- Mermaid (Dimensions)
WIP: Angel of Autumn, Calif Sampler, Holiday Snowglobe, Guide the Hands (2d
one)

Paralegal - Writer - Editor - Researcher
http://hometown.aol.com/kmc528/KMC.html

I think once you bought it you are entitled to change little details
that you do not like about the pattern ,
Fact is not all people see all colors , and esp shades in the same way
, some notice more some notice less , And if your Seeing sensitivity
differes from her`s , this could happen ,
mirjam

On 1/29/04 7:23 AM,"Caryn" posted:

Why use a color that close to the background color, anyway?

Part of the problem is that you design either on paper or computer, and
haven't
necessarily chosen the fabric color yet.

Very true, but pointing out a little of the difference between designing
charted work, especially for stitching on fabric, and for canvas - painted
or charted.

I usually leave that until I have the colors chosen already, and then choose a
color that works with the overall piece. Sometimes one of the colors in the
stitching does match or come very close to the color of the fabric, but it's
not intentional on my part, it's just what I felt would work overall for the
entire piece.

Frequently in canvas design, the idea is often to do the background -
whether a fill, or a more open stitch - in a color that matches the canvas.
In painting a canvas, there may be parts in the design itself which indeed
are the background color, or close to it. But, I think because of the holes
being larger than the threads (a difference between canvas and cloth) it's
not a problem for the stitcher.

I've been doing some designs on colored canvas - and it's interesting making
that choice in concert with doing the design - rather than picking fabric to
go with the threads (as most of us do with XS, CT). With good paint, the
canvas is still covered, but having the colored background - well, it lets
the stitcher feel more comfortable if they want to leave much canvas
uncovered. Traditionally, the idea was to leave no canvas bare. Now there
are designers who incorporate unstitched areas of the canvas into the entire
design.

Ellice

wd (Caryn) had some very interesting things to say
about Odd design decision:

Why use a color that close to the background color, anyway?
Part of the problem is that you design either on paper or computer, and haven't
necessarily chosen the fabric color yet.

I thought that was one of the first decisions. Shows how much I know
about the process. :-)

I usually leave that until I have the colors chosen already, and then choose a
color that works with the overall piece. Sometimes one of the colors in the
stitching does match or come very close to the color of the fabric, but it's
not intentional on my part, it's just what I felt would work overall for the
entire piece.
I hope that made sense, I haven't had my coffee yet! lol

Makes about as much sense as anything else I've thought of [as far as
someone's suggestion, either here or in e-mail, that it was a texture
matter, there are some small areas left blank (unstitched) in this
design].
--
"The universe is quite robust in design and appears to be
doing just fine on its own, incompetent support staff notwithstanding.
:-)" - the Dennis formerly known as (evil), MCFL

BTW, Missy, how's Merlin? Shouldn't you be working on him instead of going off
in yet another direction? sticks out tongue

Karen C. (California)
KMC528 at AOL dotcom

--
Finished 12/14/03 -- Mermaid (Dimensions)

WIP:
Fireman's Prayer, Amid Amish Life (via stitchalong),
MLI "Angel of Autumn" (join our stitchalong at Yahoo! Groups),
O Christmas Tree, Peacock Fantasy (Square Dance Designs)

XLTR: California Sampler, Holiday Snowglobe, America the Beautiful (Nimble
Needle), antique green doll (Vervaco), Xmas cactus (Silver Lining)

--
Finished 12/14/03 -- Mermaid (Dimensions)
WIP: Angel of Autumn, Calif Sampler, Holiday Snowglobe, Guide the Hands (2d
one)

Paralegal - Writer - Editor - Researcher
http://hometown.aol.com/kmc528/KMC.html