Sheagatzi Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 I am about to densely quilt a modern quilt that has white as the 'negative' space. White was my initial colour thread choice, but now I'm wondering (obsessing) if I use a cream, taupe or grey - would it tone down the starkness of the white fabric? Or would I then see every inconstancy, starts and stops of a slightly darker thread on white fabric? The colours in the quilt are white, and then muted olives, sea foams, light blue..kind of by the sea colours. I will definitely do a test swatch, but wondering if anyone can chime in with experience on quilts they've worked on or seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 Use white or off white. The quilting will really show. With moderns with lots of negative space, a balance is needed and any colored thread on white would be a distraction. Traditionally (can I use that word about modern quilts? ) large white areas are quilted with white and the colored areas with matching thread. Not saying it can't or hasn't been done with a subtle colored thread. Just that an overlay of colored thread would add a layer and maybe detract from the impact of the colors and piecing. Favorite "modern" blogs-- http://www.greenfairyquiltsblog.com/ http://sewkindofwonderful.blogspot.com/ http://quiltingismybliss.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enchanted Quilting Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 I would use white or just barely off white. You will want to really adjust your lighting...I sometimes turn off all of the lights and only use the light coming in a side window. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheagatzi Posted May 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 Thanks for the new to me blog link, Linda! (quilting is my bliss) Had not stalked that one yet! LOL Yes, the coloured thread and the buildup is what I was wondering if it would detract or lose the impact of the white contrast. Thank you for the feedback! Charlotte - I quilt about 95% of the time in the dark with my side light on! Seriously. I need to take more Vitamin D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie H Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 One of my customers had picked out a variegated thread from Superior, Lava in Ash. The sampler I had of the Lava threads made the thread look more of a very light beige color but when I ordered it and it arrived it was a very light colored gray (like the color Ash might suggest!). It looked HORRIBLE on the white parts of her quilt and I spent hours unpicking. After that experience, I would steer away from any shade of gray thread on white fabric. It just looked dirty. It did look nice on the other colors of her quilt though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busy Quilting Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 White on white looks great. Good lighting is a must. You may find the right white can also be used on the colours! I love Glide white 10000 for the modern white quilts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlnewell Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 Definitely WHITE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted May 14, 2014 Report Share Posted May 14, 2014 I use white on white. If doing an all-over design, I use white. If doing custom, I might consider changing to a matching color, but even then, most of the fabrics seem to have white in their background. I typically use SoFine #401. It is white, but not as "stark" as some white thread. It is 50 wt. with a mat finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.