Matching thread to the top or bottom???

[Tracie]

I'm really hoping that you gals can help me out on a beast of a quilt I'm currently doing. It is a 5 point star, super queen, a wonky uneven mess. Now after spending what seems like hours getting it pinned on and using the amazing starch and steam technique i have finally started quilting. It is Muslin on the back white and blue on the top, 100% cotton batting. The star is all dark blues, background around the star is all white. I have used white in the bobbin and top for the background quilting because it is all white, but what should I use for the star. If I use blue on the star, which would look best I have been struggling with the tension and not having the blue show on the underneath. Uggh...so pick pick pick...so now, do I use blue in the bobbin and blue on top as I do the star or white in both? I guess my question is, after venting all of this, how do we dicide which thread to use when there is a white back and a dark top.

Thank for any help, this one has had me really wondering about my ability to keep doing this.

Tracie in Idaho

[AbigailE]

Yes, you can do this. You are just having a baptism by fire. A test of how much do you want to do this and you do and you CAN.

Recently on a Pam Clarke video I heard her say she matches to the top, it creates a pretty whole cloth on the back and makes your life much easier. I don't even pretend that I have the quality that Pam does, but it makes sense to me that you match the top. Having said all of that I'm sure there will be a variety of responses and all of them are correct. It is finding what works for you.

Truely, all you have to do is breathe. Stand up, stretch, smile; laugh out loud and keep chanting.I know I can, I know I can.

Supportively,

Abigail

[Hollyrw]

I generally match the bobbin thread with the top thread.

[lym95]

Even if you have a few wobbles, they will not affect the overall appearance. I have been very pleased when doing a sharply contrasting color on the backing. I love how it looks, have used burgundy on musling, navy on white. Starts and stops are a bit more noticeable, but you can do it!

Here is a pic of the back of one that I like:

[sewbobby]

Match the top thread is the only way to go if you are having problems with tension.

Good Luck

Barb

[DoryJM]

I have a client that loves seeing the back as much as the front; she's actually disappointed when the bobbin thread matches the backing too closely. I say, use blue top/bottom...then she'll have two quilts!

[Tracie]

Thank you all so much! I thought this after thinking on it ALL NIGHT but wanted to check with you experts. This is a beautiful quilt with loads of problems, I am learning so much on this one...and like Abigail says, I need to laugh and keep telling myself I can do this!!

[meg_marsh]

I love the backs of quilts. I will make thread selections according to design, batting & tension issues. The thinner the batting, the more likely I will be to match the bottom to the top. When you add an additional color on the back - it just creates something new and wonderful especially if you have a plain backing! Take a Mariners Star with a plain black backing ........... Lots of thread changes to work in the various top sections - match all the threads top/bottom. Once done, turn it over and you will have this wonderful design of colors on the back - I just love it!!! Now you have to decide which side you like better!!!