I had the same problem with black linen! I was so thrilled with not having to make fractional stitches because I was using linen, then discovered how hard it was to see the stitches. I never finished the project.

Things that were suggested to me at the time were to use something light on my work surface (LOL, mostly my lap) and another way is to light up a work surface (such as a light showing on the lighter colored item on your work surface). You can also try a bright work light shining on the fabric itself, something with a bulb made for closeup work. A magnifier could help, too. (I did not have more than the fabric to put on my lap back then.)

Some of the solutions aren't easy and some can be pricey (like a really good closeup work light), but they do tend to help.

The advantage is that if you can work it out, anything stitched on black fabric looks soooo stunning! I had finished other black fabric items back when my eyes were far better and seeing on black didn't drive me nuts.

No doubt, the cheetah must be gorgeous! But yeah, we get older and that black fabric is so incredibly hard to see.

Hope you find a good solution.

Sherly,

Welcome! Thank you...that's such a lovely offer!

I think part of the problem for some is the fabric. I find it's so easy with linen, but with Aida and a regular blunt end needle it's too dull to separate the fabric weave enough to get the needle through easily. It fights every effort! The only way I've found is to use a sharp needle, but that can mess up the regular full stitches by piercing the cloth in the wrong spots.

Sherly,

How do you find sewing needles with big enough eyes? I think what I've been using for fractional stitches is a sharp tapestry needle. Except I live in a place where there are no longer any stitching stores, so options are few.

I like to work with linen, because then fractional stitches are soooo easy!