Let me preface this by saying (as if you haven't heard me enough times) that my free motion is a)not so free and b)doesn't have much motion. As a result, I always want my stitches do disappear into the cloth, so I change threads a lot. And although these are small pieces - maybe 6x10, they are complex and beautiful and I dont want to ruin them. I am sorely tempted to use transparent thread.
The light olive was too shiny and light; the dark olive was ugly; the maroon was fine in the maroon spots but nowhere else.
We haven't even gotten to the stitching decisions yet - we're just on color. What do you do when you have variegated fabric (and don't tell me you use variegated thread because on this fabric, I can't see it. Besides, nobody makes maroon and olive variegated, i am sure.
Think about it while I go prepare dinner and let me know what you think.
17 comments:
A hazelnut color might work very well with both colors.
I have a variety of Superior threads - King Tut and Rainbow that have lime green with other colors. I think Bulrushes 910 (King Tut) or Rainbow Pinata 842 might work. I really like to use variegated thread on variegated fabric. It adss another layer. I don't do much free motion any more. I tend to do wonky straight stiching!!
A medium value gray might work, but it would probably dull you green which looks very interesting. Some of the invisible threads reflect light more than others, but none of them are truly invisible. If you have a scrap you can spare, quilt a sample?
You might try one of the silk threads, either YLI or Tire. A size 10 is VERY fine, not invisible, but fine and they both come in a nice olive.
OOPS! That size should be 100 not 10. Sorry
I hate invisible thread... it always shines in this tacky way, just when you don't want it to be seen. And of course it's harder to free-motion with if you're not-so-familiar with the technique. If it were mine I'd use black to match the black fabric, but I love to free motion. There really are some lovely variegated greens out there today. Look for some, but make sure you get a thin thread (40 wt or higher) so it won't show as much. Use a matching colored thread in the bobbin that is lighter weight than you top thread. And pratice more! I know you can do it!
Rayna,
I would try a silk thread. They blend in so beautifully and come in colors to match that gorgeous piece of fabric you are working with.
When you get to design, how about lines that resemble flower petal veining? That fabric reminds me of some kind of organic sac with light showing through (I know that sounds weird). It is sort of ethereal as well.
Robin
whenever I find something I want to glorify I find myself going for the gold or silver metallic thread, pesky as it can be.
I have found one color of thread that seems to blend really well with a variety of colors and fabrics.....baguette by Signature. It will show light on the darker areas from your pictures, but if it were on my machine, that is what I would try.Have fun, Johnni
A multi-color rayon would work. I've seen some with neon yellow/greens mixed with browns. Superior, I think. Also Sulky has some nice variegated rayons:
www.sulky.com/thread/thread_rayon.php.
The Sulky blendables could also work; they are cotton. Even a thin silk.
I've no doubt that whatever you ultimately do will be gorgeous!
I often use Superior's Bottom Line thread which is very fine and tends to disappear. They have a "taupe" color which seems to blend well with most lighter colors
You've got a bunch of good suggestions- hope you post what you finally decide.
As for invisible thread, I hated it to until a friend introduced me to Sew Art's monofilament. It does not have that tacky shine, it generally blends right in. So if texture rather than more color is what you are after, it might be worth a try.
Throw caution to the wind and let your stitches be seen? I recently tried this and found my FMQuilting was not that bad.
Wow! Lots of good suggestions there!
I'll see if I have any silk thread -- I might. Mostly, like Gerrie, I do wonky straight stitching - that's what I did in the rest of the piece.
Food for thought - thanks, everyone!
I like the MonoPoly invisible thread. It is polyester, so you can iron or dry it without any problem and it comes in clear or smoke. Maybe you could highlight some special areas with hand stitching using embroidery floss or perle cotton. You might enjoy it!
Since you mentioned much of the rest of the project is black I would consider perhaps a black rayon.
Like you, Rayna, I change my thread colors a lot when quilting. Sometimes a quilt will have a dozen or more colors depending on the fabric I'm quilting over.
When I finished Male Torso I agonized for weeks over how to quilt the darned thing. Sometimes, ya just gotta pop some thread in and start stitchin'.
Good Luck!!!
I've seen some of your quilting and it's far better than you're giving yourself credit for. I vote for a tan/gold color if you really want it to melt into the background.
Better still, be brave and use screaming bright red. Just remember your quilting yoga when you're at the machine. Straighten your back, drop your shoulders, breathe from the diaphragm, and stitch.
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