Cross Stitch question
 

I bought a Cross Stitch kit on eBay. The color chart and stitch guide have the correct colors in which the finished design will look like. This pre-printed pattern is awfully bright.

My question is....

Do I stitch on the opposite side or on the printed side? The dyed parts don't match the floss colors. As you can see from the photo where it is blue the floss is light colors such as whites and pale pinks.

After it is done I wonder if the printed colors will bleed into the floss. I have color catchers and Retayne on hand.

Two schools of thought on that subject. 1) Stitching from the back means you must continually flip it where colors abut each other so keep the pattern on target, the stamped side could still bleed through, but if not, it gives a cleaner looking project. 2) Stitching from the stamped side relieves flipping, gives you instant view to change colors, and you can use the stamp edges as part of the overall effect of shadowing. You can lightly hand wash & air dry the blank canvas before beginning the project to see if it bleeds. Hope this helps. Best wishes for your successful project, looks interesting.

I haven't seen a canvas painted like that before. Does the kit include the design in counted cross stitch or do you stitch according to the design on the canvas?

I would guess that you use the front. If you use the back, it would reverse the picture (perhaps?). Hope others come along with more help.

Try wetting a corner of the blue and see how it does against a sample of thread.

Thanks to both of you.

Yes, Rhonda it did come with a design sheet, even all the floss too. I will do a test on a small corner of the blue to see if it bleeds onto the lighter floss.

I always stitch from the front side. With all the movement of cross stitching and then flipping if you stitch from the back, you will be worn out. Rhonda K is right, stitching from the back will distort the picture.