This is my diamond stitch. White linen thread on a light blue cloth.

I wanted the pattern to sit quietly rather than shout. 
A dark thread on a pale cloth does the opposite and makes the pattern the first thing you see. Both work. It depends on your design!

The tension is the part worth slowing down for. Pull each stitch as you go rather than trying to even it out at the end.

Can't wait to see what you make, and which materials you choose.