Probably a silly question: Matching Applique thread
#1
Probably a silly question: Matching Applique thread
I am a newbie to quilting and a very newbie to applique. Currently I am working on an English Piecing pattern where you applique the shape to a block after you piece it together. However, the block is red and blue.
So when I applique it, do I use both colors? The colors are alternating so would I start, skip a section and then start again with the matching color?
I found out the hard way what happens if you don't match your colors.
All suggestions welcome!
Thanks!
So when I applique it, do I use both colors? The colors are alternating so would I start, skip a section and then start again with the matching color?
I found out the hard way what happens if you don't match your colors.
All suggestions welcome!
Thanks!
#2
Match your thread to the piece being appliqued, not the background. I recently learned the joy of using 100 wt silk thread for appliqué. It is practically invisible when finished.
#6
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,563
Neutrals work great, and a finer, lighter-weight thread. The higher the number, the finer the thread. Silk works great, and I also really like Bottom Line for applique. You can buy it in assorted colors in small amounts (pre-filled bobbins), it's very strong and it sinks into the fabric.
#8
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Small town in Northeast Oregon close to Washington and Idaho
Posts: 2,795
I usually use a color from the applique to make the blanket stitch stand out a little. After all that stitching, I want someone to see what I did. I have to applique three flowers and three bugs today and am finding matching thread for each. They don't match exactly, but are the same color and look well together.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,563
Jeanne brought up an interesting point that I hadn't considered. If you're using an invisible stitch and *don't* want your stitches to show, then you'd probably want to use a neutral or matching thread color, silk or fine thread. If, however, you're doing a blanket stitch and *do* want your stitches to show, then a heavier thread in a darker color (like dark blue on a light blue fabric) or even black would look nice.
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