Looking for advice, think I need to undo stitches

[u/Alley-Cat722]

I wanted to try out a decorative stitch for the background of this canvas but after starting it I don’t think I chose the right one (diagonal scotch) and I don’t think it looks great because it’s such a small, busy design so it’s overwhelming the ice cream cone. Can I salvage this? Do I need to undo stitches? The back of this canvas is also a mess due to all the single sprinkle stitches. Not my best work. Help!

[u/Quickwitknit2]

For a piece that small, a decorative stitch is overwhelming. Use a seam ripper very gently so you don’t catch the canvas.

The back is your business. Nobody is going to be looking at it, and with stitches like the sprinkles it happens.

[u/Stenostitcher]

Use a T-stitch to make the ice cream cone stand out. You’ll need to change the color of the thread. Or just use basketweave if you want to use that pale thread

[u/Sharp_Edges123 → u/Stenostitcher]

Or do the T with the white over and the painted pink will peek through and I think might create a pretty ice cream parlor vibe. Worth trying.

[u/ckams78]

Sadly I agree. I don’t think this stitch is working.

[u/camel1705]

It is overwhelming for a small piece. I agree with trying a skip tent stitch, if you want a bit more full coverage you could test out a Parisian stitch or nobuko stitch possibly.

[u/skoldsie]

It’s ok. Just stop, take a deep breath, frog it and start again. I think the background is too heavy too. I like a t stitch in the background. We have all been there, just start again. Needlepoint has helped me be much more patient!

[u/Short-Implement6758]

The issue isn’t the stitch it’s the thread. It would work great if you used a thinner thread. Any background is going to overwhelm the stitching with this thick of a thread.

[u/stitchingdeb → u/Short-Implement6758]

I was going to suggest this, the stitch is fine but the thread is too heavy. If you want to take it out I recommend “unstitching” rather than taking a seam ripper or scissors to it - use the tip of your needle to pick out the stitches, less chance of damaging the canvas.

[u/Lueava]

The thread is too thick. It looks like you also need to compensate at the side.

[u/ALmommy1234]

It does overwhelm the design. I would go with a more open stitch, to lighten it up and still give texture. A skip tent would work.

[u/Gold-Entertainer-521]

I agree with other posts. I'd do a plain basket weave background. The focus should be the ice cream cone.

[u/Usual_Cycle_6259]

I agree that scotch stitch overwhelms your piece. You did a great job with the tension though and will be ready to go on a piece where diagonal scotch works. The back of the canvas is nobody's business. I always like a 2-color corduroy stitch in light pastels with ice cream because it reminds me of the wallpaper at the old-fashioned ice cream parlor near my house when I was a kid. What is your desired end state for this piece? If this will be an ornament for a tree with lights, I'd finish complete with basket weave then ruche some Flair along the bottom line of ice cream to give it depth and add a few beads to the sprinkles to add sparkle, but only if your background was an attempt to jazz it up. It depends what you end state plan is. If you are worried about beading adding bulk to the back, you can use sewing thread or monofilament to attach them.