obsessedquilter Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 I need suggestions on a thread color to use on a customer quilt. She used lots of civil war reproduction fabrics. The shirting fabrics range from an almost white to an antique looking beige. The customer wants feather wreaths on the star blocks. My problem is, some of the stars are light and some are dark. I'm trying to find a thread color that will show up on the shirtings and still look good on the dark fabrics. I was told Signature's Mother Goose is a good choice for lots of quilts. Well not this one! I quilted on the light stars and you can't see where the quilting is on numerous fabrics. My customer will be disappointed that the quilted feathers disappear because the thread blends too well. So can anyone suggest a "perfect" thread and color to use on a civil war scrappy star quilt? I've auditoned numerous beiges and browns and they all seem to have the same problem. Thanks! Janet Howse Clarkston, MI Millie and Compuquilter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 A more contrasting thread--a sage-y green? A deep, deep coral-pink to almost rust? If brown isn't going to work--maybe a variegated with lots of darks so you can find the stitching on the darks and there will be lots of interest on the lights. Good luck. I'm sure you will get more suggestions here. (Isn't this a good reason to buy a wall full of thread??--as if I need an excuse!!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obsessedquilter Posted October 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 Thanks for replying Linda, Yep, I could use that "cabinet" chock full of thread. Unfortunately I'm still fairly new at this and my budget has some limitations. I did order a couple of colors of beige (including the mother goose color) to use on this quilt. Unfortunately they weren't good choices. I'm hoping someone can tell me a specific color to order so I don't waste time and money looking. I was considering some kind of antique gold - on the brownish side. It is so hard to tell colors on a print out or through the internet. I have a couple of thread cards, but they are for So Fine thread. I want a thread that is thicker so it will show - 40 weight. Anyone else have some suggestions? Janet Howse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PattyJo Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 Janet - if you live near Tacoma, WA - you might want to come down to Innovations this next week, Wed thru Sat. and look at the thread displays and bring your quilt with you. It is so hard to see correct colors online or from a picture and there you could actually see them live and in person. It is hard for us to give you suggestions as to color. You also might take your quilt top to the LQS and match thread there. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 Janet, What about a brown that should show on most repros. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramona-quilter Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 Hi Janet, I just finished a king-size Irish chain done in civil war reproduction fabrics. She wanted to stay true to the era of the quilt so she wanted Baptist Fans. Oh yeah, I can do perfect Baptist Fans, I have the Circle Lord:D The back was muslin and she used muslin as her background fabric in the Irish Chain. We chose Signature Cotton thread in the color Parchment (not nearly as harsh as white) and I liked the Signature Cotton color Linen on the back. I used Hobb's 80/20, again so it would have that antique look. Since Parchment and Linen are so similar in color, no worries about pokies. It came out great. I have photos on my blog. http://ramona-quilter-big-dream.blogspot.com/2008/10/be-carfeful-what-you-wish-for.html Remember, during the Civil War there were no longarm machines. They hand-quilted everything so of course, it was the same color thread on the top and bottom and there were very few thread color choices. Good luck and please post some photos when you are done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLM Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 I like to use a blue jeans gold color, blue gray or a cranberry on these kind of dark quilts. I think Signature "star gold" or "mustard" might work. However, sometimes the color that you think might work in theory doesn't look that good in reality. I would ask the customer what color they wanted on the quilt, it might be that they hate a particular color. In general, when I have a quilt with a lot of contrast, I try and pick a medium value in the quilting thread so that it will show up. Hope this helps. Janet Mohler Colorado Springs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 Hi Linda, I looked at your blog and wanted to tell you your Irish Chain with the Baptist fan really looks great. I also have the CL Fan and will use it on my next Irish Chain. Sandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 Everyone recommended great colors. I use most of them on my reproduction fabric quilts, the only difference is that I use the Superior LAVA varigated in the above recommended colors. If you can't get to a show, Superior has actual thread color charts for a small fee, which can help with your threat choices now and in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 Sorry, no threats here I meant to type thread. We really need auto spell check on this forum:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 Originally posted by Gator Sorry, no threats here I meant to type thread. We really need auto spell check on this forum:cool: Connie a spell checker would be fantastic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 For me also the grammar button would be good.....that and the spell checker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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