How do you pick the appropriate color thread to embroider with? I am making some screen purses for the ladies closest to me. I wanted to embroider a design on the bottom where the fabric is. I am using designed fabrics and my first one is a breast cancer fabric. You may remember awhile back I made a quilt in like 3 days for her before she left for treatment. I wanted to use the same fabric and same designs I used on the quilt. When I stitched the design, it disappeared. That was the point when I made the quilt but now I want it to stand out. It is a redwork design - what color should I use?

Go darker on the thread. That will make it stand out . Also looks from what I can see on the picture that you bobbin thread is comming through to the top try tightening you bobbin tension. I would have gone with the dark pink outline of the cancer ribbon or a shade darker than that. All you can do is trial and error on a scrap until you get the desired look. After you do this for a while you get to know what to pick. Hope this helps ...Suzanne

I think besides the sewing itself, picking out colors is also not easy. I know -for myself- I lose also time to select the right colors. Sometimes it is good, sometimes I feel I could have done better. I think also this needs time to learn, so don't give up. You're not alone

Many clerks at the fabric store are well-versed in the color wheel. They are there to help so don't be too shy to ask for their opinions in what colors to use for best contrast.

I went to Google search - typed in color wheel and found a great page on Basic Color Theory you might want to try it. I have made my share of color mistakes and finally purchased a color wheel at the local art supply story, then read up on color wheel information now my mistakes are in other areas. But, my colors look good. LOL

try dark blue,green,purple anything u like in a dark color so it will show.Keep trying u will get it hugs carolyn

What you need is contrast if you want something to stand out. Using a color in the fabric causes the thread to blend into the fabric. I find that just laying the thread on the fabric doesn't give me a real idea of the result when stitching as the thread sinks into the fabric a little. So sometimes I'll stitch a little on the fabric using my regular sewing machine to see if it'll stand out enough. This is especially true when doing redwork.

I agree with Loralye, I would have chosen the darkest color on your fabric and gone even a few shades darker, that should make all the difference.
good luck
Merry christmas and hugs
Michelle

if you want to stay in the same color family then the darkest thread you have should work out for example in this case fushia or the darkest thread for the lightest fabric & the lighteat thread for the darkest fabric.

1 comment

by katrinasheffield 23 Dec 2012

What I have in my head - is never what it turns out to be. I think I need to find a new hobby because I don't seem to be great at this one!! I'm good at the execution but not the design. I wish there was a way to learn that - but I'm convinced that it is a gift.
I am off to ruin some more great idea :) Thank you so much!!! I'll post if I manage to get any to look great.