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Thread colors for piecing? Confusing myself
Eme   Advanced Beginner MA USA Member since 7/4/04 Posts: 1158	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/18/13 3:33 PM I've sewn for years and dabbled in very beginner quilt patterns, but now that I'm "starting over" and really trying to teach myself, I feel like I've forgotten the basics!!! I am doing a small sample top that has both light blue (patterned) and dark royal blue (solid) fabrics. What color thread to I use for piecing? I thought somewhere in my Internet searching it said to match the darker fabric. I wanted to try some of this Presencia thread touted by Harriet Hargraves (Quilter's Academy book series) but they only have navy which looks to be darker than my royal blue. Thoughts? I have no idea what to do when piecing high contrast fabrics together, which seems to happen a lot in quilting - what then?
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 5000	Login to reply to this post 4 members like this. Date: 2/18/13 3:46 PM Neutral colors are what most use for piecing. A dark or medium gray in this case. The seams should not show. Unless you plan on entering this in a juried quilt competition, use whatever you have on hand.
Learn To Sew   Intermediate WA USA Member since 4/12/05 Posts: 8001	Login to reply to this post In reply to PattiAnnJ << Like this post Date: 2/18/13 4:09 PM I agree. That is what I would do. I want to be able to see the stitches in case I have to rip them out for some reason. I do have to remove them every so often. I used to match the thread to the fabric, but when I did that, I could not see the stitches. Instead of ripping the stitches, I ripped the fabric. So, I went a shade lighter and sometimes a neutral grey is better than any other color. ------ Quilting is relaxing to me. I love to play with fabrics, patterns and colors. Bernina 630 machine only Pfaff 2036 Babylock Molly Bernina 1200DA serger Unique Sewing Cabinet 450L
TonysGirl Advanced Beginner PA USA Member since 8/3/10 Posts: 16	Login to reply to this post In reply to Eme << 1 member likes this. Date: 2/18/13 4:11 PM Well, if your machine is working as it should, the stitches are not visible, so the color does not matter. In fact, I once pieced a dark blue and grey flannel quilt in red thread because it was the only color of Aurifil thread that I had. Usually though, most people piece their blocks in neutral colors such as white, beige, and grey.
SewBusy63 Advanced IA USA Member since 12/10/07 Posts: 3195	Login to reply to this post In reply to Eme << 2 members like this. Date: 2/18/13 4:17 PM Personally, I use white on all my piecing. Probably not politically correct, but it works for me. :) ------ ~Diana~ ♥ Bernina 830E ♥ Bernina 1150MDA serger ✝The Lord is my Light and my Salvation: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1✝
quiltingwolf Advanced MD USA Member since 12/15/02 Posts: 5026	Login to reply to this post In reply to SewBusy63 << Like this post Date: 2/18/13 4:34 PM I usually use beige most or a dark if the fabric is really dark. ------ quiltingwolf.blogspot.com
Franksdottir   Intermediate Member since 4/25/08 Posts: 2412	Login to reply to this post In reply to Eme << Like this post Date: 2/18/13 5:11 PM A darker color always sinks into the background, so a navy would be better than a light blue. However, our foremothers pieced with white or ecru because that was what they had, and if you look at antique quilts they were usually quilted in white or cream also. A lot of contemporary teachers think one should use a "neutral" color, and I have done that at times, but if you look at it later a neutral color doesn't, at least to my eye, seem quite right. I much prefer using white for piecing, especially as a lot of my contrasts are between brightly colored prints or batiks and white, or tone-on-tone white. One caveat - I do not enter my quilts in shows, so the only person I have to please is myself. As we all know, that is sometimes the hardest person to please, but at least I don't have to care what thread I use. ------ Barb
Lindy Ann   Advanced KS USA Member since 1/26/12 Posts: 53	Login to reply to this post In reply to Eme << 1 member likes this. Date: 2/18/13 5:16 PM I use up all my odds and ends, whether it's a half full bobbin of an odd color or the spool that has only a fraction of its length left. I acquired lots of miscellaneous thread from elderly relatives and some from yard sales. My machine (Elna Quilters Dream) doesn't seem to complain about any combination. This is the cheap way and it works fine for me.
Sharon1952   Advanced MA USA Member since 7/1/08 Posts: 2649 Board Moderator	Login to reply to this post In reply to Lindy Ann << 1 member likes this. Date: 2/18/13 5:31 PM Ditto for me! I just grab whatever threads are almost used up and as bobbins run out I just grab anyone that has thread on it! ------ Sewing: A creative mess is better than tidy idleness. ~Author Unknown
PortlandMaine   Advanced Beginner ME USA Member since 1/29/11 Posts: 1655	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 2/18/13 5:58 PM YAY -- I fit in! I also use what I have on hand. But, I do buy light threads with the idea that I will piece with them. If it does not work out that way -- well. I try not to use bright red with white fabrics - but, I have even had to do that b-4. ------ Drag queen quilter!

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