Fun with Solar-Active Threads

Solar-Active threads change color when exposed to sunlight, then return to the original color indoors. Most are white, then change to pink or blue or green. Others start as one color, then change to a different color. The best assortment of threads and other color-changing products can be found at SolarActive International.

The solar-active threads are best used on items worn or used outdoors. Think hats, scarves, purses, tote bags, hair bows, jackets and beach towels. You can stitch the entire design with solar-active thread, or use regular thread for parts, then solar-active thread for parts. For example, you might want to stitch stems and leaves in regular green thread, then stitch the flowers in solar-active thread, so that indoors you would have white flowers, and outdoors the flowers would become colorful. Trim the collar of a summer blouse with freestanding lace made of solar-active thread. For winter, white snowflakes on a hat or scarf turn colorful on a sunny day.

Choose designs that have enough stitches to make an impact. A redwork or lacy design will not be as dramatic as something more solid. The threads stitch well, using a size 12 needle. The color changing lasts through hundreds of sun exposures and is unaffected by laundering.

On the SolarActive International site, you can see a wedding dress embroidered with solar-active threads. It was all white inside the church, then bloomed with color once the bride stepped outside.

Next issue: favorite tools

from Mary Jane Allen of Perfect Little Stitches

Set of 12
Victorian Appliqué Motif Hearts!

Each heart has several motif stitches,
some include candlewicking and
some have fringe added just for fun!

Watch this space for a special offer, only for readers of the StitchFun News!!