The folks at Sew Mama Sew are musing about thread at the moment, and why not? Thread is essential and I have amassed a small collection that has traveled with me over the years. In fact, some of the threads in my collection were passed down to me from my Grandmother’s stash. I inherited her crafty things when she died seven years ago. I even abandoned my sewing basket for hers – not because it was better but because it was hers.
Sew Mama Sew is asking the questions, so I am answering…
1) How did you select colors for your personal thread collection? My thread collection has been growing over the years. Usually I buy thread to coordinate with a project I am working on and then the leftover spool joins the stash. But, as I mentioned earlier, I have also added to my collection in other ways like merging Grandma Patsy’s stash with my own. It’s like having a little bit of her with me in my projects.
2) Do you always match the color perfectly to your project? Well that all depends. When I am working on making garments or if I know the thread is going to be seen, like when I topstitch, I do my best to match the color as close as possible. That said, now that I’ve started quilting I have become a lot more lax about matching my thread to my project, especially when I am piecing a quilt.
3) Do you ever use contrasting thread? Sometimes, especially if I want to make a statement and I want the thread to stand out.
4) Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread? Yes, I do… most of the time. When I am piecing I can be a little lax about this but the bobbin thread is usually “close enough” in color. I have been known to use a contrasting thread in the bobbin if I want to make a statement on the back of a quilt, say. But it’s always imperative to make sure your tension is spot on when working that way!
Embroidery Thread from Guatemala
5) What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors? This depends on the project I am working on. If the thread will be visible then I pick a thread I think will match best. Most of the time I would stick to a lighter color thread but there are times when aesthetically I will go with a dark thread.
6) Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread? Don’t get so hung up on finding the perfect match. Sometimes there is none and that is okay close enough is just as good near perfect. Be flexible and creative and sometimes your thread can surprise you. It doesn’t have to be so utilitarian. The more you experiment with thread the better.
7) Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection? Unfortunately I am away from my stash until the end of the month (an also my hard drive with most of my pictures) so the best I can do right now is posted.
My textile "booty" from Guatemala
8) Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)? Not as much as I should but I have been known to do so every once in a blue moon.
9) Do you “invest” in thread? I suppose I do a bit although I’ve never thought about it that way before.
Metallic Thread from Guatemala
10) What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.) My collection is mostly all-purpose cotton thread but I do have some heavy duty, quilting and a couple awesome metallics in my stash for good measure. WAIT! How could I forget all of my embroidery thread? I have a ton and I'm always adding more, in fact I bought some on my recent trip to Guatemala but I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet...
