Do you often get confused about what thread colour to use while quilting some new design or pattern? Do you have a tough time deciding the number of colours you should use while quilting?
Well, if you have this dilemma, then you are not alone at all. Many quilters like us face this problem frequently. When working on some new quilting project, it’s always recommended to create a design on paper first so that you can decide the best course of action.
So is there any best color for quilting?
Honestly, there is no correct answer, and it depends on the type of quilting you are doing.
However, we can follow some tips and tricks to help us decide the best color thread for our quilting. We can ensure that our quilting color looks perfect and not boring by keeping these points in mind.
What Color Thread Should You Use For Quilting?
Choosing a thread color that will suit your design and the fabric type you are working with when quilting is essential.
The desired color of the thread should match the design pattern. For example, if you are quilting a textured fabric, you would want to use a bright or dark thread (depending on which one will work best with the texture) while using a light or pastel thread for smooth fabrics.
You can also use multiple colors of threads together to achieve an interesting effect with your design.
Furthermore, the color of the thread should be easily seen against your background. If you have some less than ideal lighting conditions that make it difficult to see what colors you use, go for pastels. They will show up more vividly under low lighting than other colors would.
How to Choose The Right Thread for Quilting?
To decide the right thread for your quilting, you should determine the thread color based on different parameters. You have to keep the correct parameters in mind while choosing the right color combination for your quilt.
We will discuss the essential parameters you should consider before selecting the right color combination for your quilt.
Remember, you need some practice before selecting the best color combination for your quilt. So don’t get disheartened when your initial quilts are not up to to the mark. Keep practising.
Let’s start.
i. Pick color Based on the Quilting Type
It’s essential to know your quilting type before you choose a color. Both hand quilting and machine quilting are different in this regard. In machine quilting, you use two threads, i.e., bobbin thread and needle thread. So make sure that both colors are not clashing.
As for hand quilting, there is no need to use dual threads. So you can pick a single color thread.
It’s also important to note that if you are doing plain-coloured quilt blocks with no pattern, then opting for a dark color would be a better choice because it will give the quilt an overall sturdy look and feel.
ii. Try to use a less visible thread
Apart from thread color, the color glossiness also plays an essential part while choosing the right color combination. We all are well aware that shining thread looks brighter and more visible than other threads.
This can create problems for us as the brighter colors will stand out from the rest. Due to this, the more glowing thread will look in contrast with your quilt, and it can affect your quilt brightness. The line will pop out too much.
So it’s better to use less visible threads than more visible threads so that your thread color cannot create a distraction.
iii. Pay attention to color values.
Color values can be defined as color contrast. High color values mean dark shade, whereas lower values represent light shade. Many people who want to keep quilt pieces intact use shades of similar value.
When they need a more precise design, they choose different values as the darker thread on medium-coloured garments displays the pattern.
iv. Use variegated yarns for multicolor quilting.
Variegated color threads are best when your quilt consists of many different colors. Variegated threads have a multicolor die pattern that begins from a light shade and moves to a darker shade.
Keep in mind that the bobbin thread and needle thread should look good with the quilt during machine quilting. Sometimes, due to changing the color of variegated thread, the color combination of the quilt can be affected.
v. Prefer Neutral Colors.
If you ever become confused about what color you should use or are unsure whether bold colors will look on the quilt, you should bet on neutral colors.
Neutral colors generally come in blue and grey hues. These colours look great with any fabric and don’t overshine fabric beauty. These colours are also beginner-friendly and suitable for both hand quilting and machine quilting.
vi. Try to use different color combinations.
Invest your time to understand the best color combination. The dark grey thread looks better with the dark section, whereas light shades compliment light-coloured fabrics.
vii. Use invisible color thread when needed.
If you don’t want to add any particular color to your quilt, you should use duplicate color threads. However, it’s not always possible to get the correct color shade to match your quilt.
In that case, you can use invisible color for your quilt. They are made of monofilament nylon and polyester strands. They are thin enough to stay hidden regardless of fabric color.
Some quilting thread color examples?
Here are some examples of quilting thread color.
- Off White
- Pale Yellow
- Yellow
- Yellow- Gold
- Cream
- Dark Brown
- Chocolate Brown
- Light brown
- Copper
- Fuchsia
- Light Pink
- Pink
- Lavender
- Light Purple
These colors are some of the most commonly used thread colours in quilting. You can choose any color you like from these thread colors. Just keep the defined parameters in mind while choosing the right thread colour for your quilt.
How Should Thread Look against your Quilt?
It is essential to know how the color of your thread should look on your quilt.
The best way to decide what color will work well with your design is by looking at your thread in natural light or candlelight.
Or you can take your thread to quilt fabrics and lay the thread on it. Then you can compare different threads’ colors while checking their visibility against your quilt. Sometimes the thread on the spool looks extra bright, so it’s better to check against the quilt.
Conclusion
So far, we have seen multiple types of parameters that we should keep in mind while selecting the best thread color for our quilt. You should always choose the best color according to your quilt design.
Suppose you still have confusion regarding the correct thread combination. In that case, you should make a small block quilt to experiment with different color threads on it. When you are sure, then proceed to your main project.
I hope you like the information. Happy quilting!
