• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

CLARA NARTEY |Unlock Your Creative Potential

Creativity, Thread Sketching, Art Quilters, Fiber Artists

  • Start Here
    • The Artist
    • Artworks
    • Exhibitions
  • Work with Clara
    • Hire Clara
    • Take a Course
  • Media + Press
  • Blog
  • Contact

Stitch The Sketch # 19: Choosing Thread Color

May 11, 2016 by Clara Nartey 4 Comments

“Lemonade Makers” is dedicated to all those who life gave lemons but made lemonade out of them and are having a great time enjoying their lemonades.

How to choose the right thread colors for your project
Save to PINTEREST

This week, I did two things differently with “Stitch the Sketch”. I decided to move from monochromatic to a multicolor scheme. I also changed subjects from flowers to explore other stuff. In this video, I demonstrate the use of tear-away stabilizer for tracing onto fabric.

Here’s my pencil drawing of “Lemonade Makers”

thread color

And here’s the stitched drawing

 

thread color

Here’s the reverse side of the stitched drawing

thread color

And here’s the video that shows how I put it all together.

Tips, Tools and Techniques: Thread Color Choices

Since this is the first episode in which I used more than one color of thread, I thought I’ll share with you how to make your own thread color choices. So here ….

  1. While I was demonstrating how to trace onto fabric using a tear away stabilizer, I chose a thread color that was close to the color of the background fabric. The pros – it makes the outline stitching fade away when you start coloring or shading your design. The con – it’s a little hard to see because there’s very little contrast between thread color and fabric color.
  2. The thread color you choose for blending needs to be a few values apart. If you choose thread color which is very close to the next thread, you’ll not get the beautiful mixing of colors you want. Your stitching will look like it was done with just one thread color.
  3. Remember the color of the thread will look darker on a spool than how it’ll look when stitched.
  4. Finally, purchase a paper thread color chart to order threads online. Computer monitors vary in resolution so the thread color you see on your computer screen may be totally different from what will arrive in your mailbox.

So here you have it, 4 tips to help you choose your thread colors. What are your own tips? Do share. Let me know if you’ve got any questions. I’ll be glad to help.

Warmest Regards,

Clara's Signature

 

 

PS: Watch all the Stitch the Sketch Videos and read about the techniques.

Get behind the scenes and learn more about my art practice, events, exhibitions and release of new artworks


JUST ONE MORE STEP...... Success! Now you need to check your email to confirm your subscription. The subject will be [confirm your subscription] Once you click the link in this confirmation email, you will be on your way to receiving exclusive C-Letters meant for Clara's Friends only. Don't forget to confirm your email. Warmest Regards, Clara

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

I won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

Comments

  1. Janis Doucette says

    May 11, 2016 at 6:28 pm

    This is lovely Clara! Nice color choices.

    Reply
  2. Clara says

    May 11, 2016 at 7:01 pm

    Thank Janis. Not having used more than one color in the last 18 pieces, you won’t believe how nervous I was choosing colors for this one. What saved me was – I didn’t think, I just did it. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Shauna Leishman says

    June 8, 2016 at 10:15 pm

    Tear away paper!! On order now. Never heard of it before but it makes sense with what you are doing. I also would never have thought up sewing the outline with a similar thread to background. Thanks for these ideas.

    Reply
  4. Clara says

    June 8, 2016 at 11:01 pm

    You’re most welcome Shauna. I wish I could see some of the projects you’re working on. Let me know how you make out with the tear away. Remember to set your sewing machine speed a little (just a tad) slower than usual when tracing. Since sewing along marked lines takes a little more focus. You don’t want the stitches to be too tight either, then the paper will get stuck in between the stitches when you go to tear it away.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

purple orchid, texture to add interest
Next »
Return to menu
mixing threads colors on fabric
« Previous

Creativity

Professional Development

Creative Confidence Boost

Thread Sketching Videos

Thread Sketching Techniques

Surface Design

Textile Art Collector

Textile Art Business

 

Let's Connect on Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Copyright © 2023 · All images copyrighted by the artist, Clara Nartey,
and are not to be copied or reproduced in any manner.
Privacy Policy|Terms and Condition|Disclaimer

Copyright © 2023 · Aspire Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in