World Wide Quilting Page
Question of the Week
Question for the week of March 17, 1997:
Our question this week comes from Natalie Rawlinson
When I do hand quilting on a quilt to be entered in a judged contest, do I change my thread to match the color of fabric I am quilting on?
marianne parker :
I attempt to use a neutral color (white, natrual, black, or clear) that blends the most into the top and the backing. This way, if you do not intend for the quilting stitches to stand out, they don't, but you don't have the heartache of trying to remember to change thread all the time.
Sharon Mayer :
Your thread color choice depends entirely on the effect you're after.To let your piecing/applique do the talking, let your quilting and
the thread you choose take a "back seat". Match the thread to the fabric
you are quilting on. To make this change of color on the front less obvious
on the back, I often use a multi-color floral printd that will allow all the
color changes go without notice. Quilting therefore adding texture without
becoming the main focus of the piece.
On the other hand some of the most wonderful quilting I've seen has been a variation of the
Sashiko quilting where colored thread is used specifically to "stand out" from
the fabric it's being quilted on (the white thread on blue fabric is one popular
example). This effect is especially wonderful on quilts made for babies and children.
I've seen many examples of both schools of thought exit a show with ribbons.
Ruth Roberts :
No. I would use the same color throughout the project
Linda Goldberg :
You can either match the fabric,
or you could make the thread a color
that would stand out all depends on
the quilt and what your looking for.
I've done both.
Have been pleased with both also
gg-Or :
Quilting thread should match the backing fabric which should co-ordinate with the fabrics used in the quilt. Stitches on the back aren't as good as on the front so you want them to "blend" in and disappear.Use only one color thread.
Jillian :
I would change colour if you did not want it to deter from the quilt design.
Ruth Lindhagen :
I have co-chaired our guild's quilt show and have sat in on the judging. Judges look for quality quilting stitches, consistency in the size of the stitches and whether or not the quilting adequately fills the space and is appropriate to the design. I have heard them comment on the fact that the quilter has changed the color of quilting thread but so long as it is pleasing to the eye and doesn't distract from quilt it does not effect their judging. My personal preference is to quilt in one color. If quilting in more than one color I would suggest using a print background that would mask the different quilting threads. Judges pay a lot of attention to the backs of quilts and it could mean the difference of winning a ribbon.
ScotFinn@aol :
The only time I have seen this is on art quilts. Most quilts have one consistant color throughout.
Lynda in Ontario :
I let my quilt tell me what it needs. I put it up on my design wall and have a conversation. The judges want "E's" : excitement, excellence and exploration . Do it "YOUR" way and enjoy the process!!!
Annette Boersma :
Remember, this is your quilt and your design. You are allowed in most contests to use the thread according to your 'creative inclinations'. What you feel is the best choice of color on the particular patch you are quilting is going to reflect your personality and the feeling you are giving to your quilt. There are generally no thread color rules to follow. What's looked at is the evenness of the stitches and the quilting pattern in the theme of the quilt. Enjoy your creation as you are going along!!
Mary Catherine :
I try to match my appliques to my
thread. And then I let the force
to tell me what looks best..
May the force be with you!!!!!
Charlotte :
It is YOUR quilt, so use the color that
gives the look you want. Some fabrics
begged to be matched, and others want an
accent. The contest only lasts a short
while, but you will spend hours working
with the quilt and years loving it.
Nina-Marie :
The main thing when hand quilting a top
is to let the design talk to you. You
may match the color or not; you may use
a shade that is just a little darker or
lighter or something that is bold. The
top will tell you. Its the zen of
quilting and doesn't much matter if its
being judge or not.
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