A Tip for Variegated Thread by Karin

Guest post by the ever so clever Karin:

Variegated thread is always so pretty, but it’s really hard to tell the color patterns when they’re one the spool.  And if you’re like me, you’re lucky enough to have a collection of beautiful Floriani threads, but I can never remember just exactly what they look like in a sew-out!

Actually, there are quite a few things I can’t remember, but that just comes with old age the territory I suppose.

So, what’s the solution?  It’s really simple – just stitch yourself a sampler!  Grab a fat eighth or any piece of fabric, stabilize it, and stitch away.  I didn’t even hoop it – I just used my zig-zag stitch, at the very widest and very shortest settings, to create a real nice satin stitch. 

Just be sure you stitch a row long enough to display the entire color pattern.  Store the sampler along with your thread, and you’ll always have a reference chart to show you what your threads will look like in a design.

See how different the color patterns can be?

You can build a reference chart for your fonts, too...making it super easy to compare them all at once:

Hope this helps you keep track of what you’ve got!  Happy stitchin!

Written by Karin for IHAN®

Thank you Karin!  Now I'm off to play with Maddy Jo for the first time....oh I so need to have some fun ME time...both "me" and Machine Embroidery time..:)


Smiles,
Kelly