I have found black thread hard to work with if the pricking is made of a card too light in color. If the contrast is too great, then the eye has trouble seeing the details of the black threads. (Same with photographing or photocopying black lace.) So it might seem contrary, but using a medium to darker color for your pricking or background makes the contrast within the black thread paths clearer.
I have come to greatly prefer a medium-dark red card for my prickings, for white, ecru, and black threads all. It is much easier on my eyes than the brighter or lighter blue cards. Nancy Connecticut, USA - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
