Select Color with Confidence
The easiest way to select thread color is to start with a print that you love, select a coordinating solid and then select the thread. For instance, I spotted this floral blouse in a retail store.
I fell in love with the flowers and immediately thought of pairing it with a denim jacket. Here’s how to select the thread to go with it. Audition spools right on the blouse and grab your phone to document the process as you switch out some spools.
Next, review the photos to see what composition is the most pleasing. Once you’re satisfied with the combination, move the spools to the denim jacket.
Denim is one of the trickiest fabrics to select thread for because it’s a mixture of light, medium and dark threads. Often what you think will contrast with denim, blends too well and leaves the embroidery looking lackluster. The colors may be beautiful, but the value (the lightness and darkness of the color) may be too close to the denim’s value making the embroidery almost invisible from a 6 ft. distance.
To avoid that result, use a value finder. A value finder is a piece of translucent red plastic or glass. When you peer through the colored plastic, all color is removed from the object. What remains is the value of the fabric and threads. Look through the red panel to view threads right on the fabric. Your phone camera may have filter available. Check your camera settings.
If they are the same value as the fabric, you’ll know you must find a lighter or darker thread if you want the embroidery to pop off (or separate from) the fabric.
I trust the value finder more than I trust my own eye. Because I tend to fall in love with a color, I try to force it on the fabric. Every time I override the value finder, I’m disappointed with the result.
The final winner of the Farmhouse Sentiments Kit is Linda Alford! Congratulations, Linda. We will email you privately for your mailing address. Enjoy!
10 COMMENTS
Betty
5 years agoWhat kind of thread is that and what brand is it? It looks like cotton?
eileenroche
5 years ago AUTHORHi Betty, The thread shown above is our polyester 40 wt. embroidery thread, known as Vintage Retro. It’s matte finish mimics cotton but has the strength and durability of polyester. It also comes in a heavier weight (15) which we call Rope. To order, you can call 1-888-739-0555 as it’s not on our website at this time.
Anonymous
5 years agoWhere are your products being made? It seems like everything in JoAnn’s is made in China!
eileenroche
5 years ago AUTHOROur products are sourced both locally and internationally.
Louine Teague
5 years agoI’m still not sure exactly what to look for through filter? Can you show several examples and analysis what is seen?
Judy Warren
5 years agoCongratulations, Linda!
Sharon Repici
5 years agoI’m checking for that filter today! I am hard-headed (soft hearted?) when it comes to colors and I need to learn more about value colors.
Catherine E. Albanese
5 years agois the “Red Value Sheet” available at your site, or can I get it at Nancy’s Notions?
eileenroche
5 years ago AUTHORHi Catherine, I did a search on Nancy’s Notions site and didn’t find it but an Amazon search produced this link:
https://www.amazon.com/Color-Evaluator-II-contrast-evaluator/dp/B01C4NCV02
Catherine E. Albanese
5 years agoThank you. I ordered one today.