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Member since 12/4/16
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Posted on: 3/14/18 11:26 AM ET
I have orange/white houndstooth fabric in cotton that I want to sew shift dress with.
What color of thread should I use as it will show up on hems - orange or white.

Orange and white are in equal amount and from distance, orange is the dominant color being brighter
https://www.etsy.com/market/orange_houndstooth

In pic, design or pattern looks bigger but on my fabric, its smaller

Also I checked a store bought tunic dress in my closet of black and white diamond prints and white was thread used.
-- Edited on 3/14/18 at 11:28 AM --
  
Member since 12/13/08
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Posted on: 3/14/18 11:59 AM ET
It's up to you. I would use orange (and OMG, how much do I want an orange houndstooth ANYTHING!!!), but that's because, as you say, orange is the dominant color. I think it will stand out less than the white would. If, however, you are very confident in your stitching--particularly any topstitching--and you WANT it to show, then be bold and go for white!

There's a rule of thumb that when picking thread, go for a shade just a smidge darker than your fabric (particularly if you can't find a perfect match and have to choose between too light and too dark). Slightly darker thread tends to disappear more into the fabric; lighter thread stands out more.

Have fun! This skirt is going to be FAB! And I hope the houndstooth trend never, ever dies. :D
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~Elizabeth in the prairie
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Posted on: 3/14/18 12:18 PM ET
Here is a short post from Sewaholic addressing this issue: sewing stripes

It is interesting because when sewing a bold print like a stripe or check, I would choose the lighter color. Seeing the dark thread on a light background would bother me. However, the photo in the link shows just that and it looks good.
  
Member since 12/3/06
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Posted on: 3/14/18 12:24 PM ET
In reply to misha79
Test the threads with scraps then choose what you like the best.
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OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
  
Member since 12/4/16
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Posted on: 3/14/18 12:48 PM ET
Everyone seems to have different opinion. I was thinking orange too.
I think I should do a patch test.
I am going to sew facing for neck and armholes so topstitching and hem line, where it is going to be visible.

@stirwatersblue - Thanks for liking fabric print but it is going to be a dress. Now you mentioned skirt, I can imagine, it would have looked so pretty as skirt.
  
Member since 7/16/07
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Posted on: 3/14/18 12:56 PM ET
In reply to misha79
For fabric where the colours really intermingle, I use this tip I found on Threads:

Buttonholes in tweed fabrics

I've found it useful not just for buttonholes, but anywhere where I want the thread to be sort of invisible. If the colours don't intermingle, though, you can also just pick one of the colours, as stirwatersblue and others have said. I'd probably do a test to see which one gives a more invisible look overall -- unless of course invisibilty is not what you're going for.





-- Edited on 3/14/18 at 12:57 PM --
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Member since 9/29/17
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Posted on: 3/14/18 12:58 PM ET
The last time orange and white was popular, I had three dresses in those colors and they were sewn with white thread. (This was when I was learning to sew for the first time and had dreams of making them myself, so I looked at the trim and thread up close.) I really loved them and I’m happy to see the combo come back!
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Vehicles of my sewing: Kenmore 158.1701 (Enterprise), 158.371 (Nautilus). White 77MG (Voom; Doom). Pfaff 4862 (Zoom).
  
Member since 7/31/06
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Posted on: 3/15/18 5:39 AM ET
Another interesting option for 2-color fabric is to choose a thread color that's halfway in between the colors, e.g. gray for black and white, turquoise for green and blue, pale/pastel orange for orange and white. The stitches would show on both fabric colors instead of disappearing into one or the other.
-- Edited on 3/15/18 at 5:40 AM --
  
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Posted on: 3/15/18 6:01 AM ET
Also check out any grey thread you have. I have discovered often a mid grey disappears beautifully into many patterns.
  
Member since 12/25/06
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Posted on: 3/15/18 6:41 AM ET
In reply to quiltfixer
I wouldn’t have thought of this, great idea!
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Julie, Perth, WA
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