I want to share with you two key things that can significantly improve your stitching experience!
They not only enhance the quality of your finished product but also makes the process more enjoyable, especially for those who are learning: magnification and illumination.
You cannot stitch what you cannot see! And you need to see well.
If the intersections of the canvas are hard to distinguish, stitching can become frustrating and unnecessarily difficult.
You might not require reading glasses in other areas of your life, but they can make a world of difference while stitching. Last year, I realized I hadn't been stitching as much as usual and couldn't figure out why—until I tried on a pair of reading glasses! Volia! I had been struggling to see and I didn’t realize it.
The second thing is illumination.
Once the sun sets, most people, if not all, require additional lighting to see effectively. I’m not just referring to a simple tableside lamp; what you need is a craft lamp. Search “craft lamp” on Amazon and you will find many options and various price points. Craft lamps provide great light and they have a flexible arm. I prefer them to reading neck lights (which are great for travel and stitching in bed) becasue they have such a wide light coverage area. They light up your whole lap which helps when you’re threading a needle, etc.
These two factors may seem minor, however they make all the difference in the world!
Even if you think you don’t need reading glasses or brighter lighting, I encourage you to give them a try—I think you will be pleasantly surprised!