Buying Thread and Fabric Online

When shopping online, you have to rely on the colors as they appear on your computer. You might be surprised when your fabric or thread arrives to find that the actual colors are brighter, bluer, darker or lighter. Often the exact shade is not so important, but if you are trying to match colors from one website to another, you will probably not succeed. You can't go very wrong with black and white. For colors, purchase fabric swatches and thread charts first, then make your larger purchases after examining the thread charts and swatches.

Most embroidery thread companies sell thread charts that consist of actual bits of thread wrapped around a cardboard strip. This is absolutely the most reliable way to select a thread color. You can also make notes on the thread chart to indicate which colors you have already purchased.

I have heard of software or online thread conversion charts that purport to convert the thread color from one brand to another, so that if the embroidery design specifies a particular color in a certain brand of thread, you can find the equivalent color in another brand. The problem here is that the thread colors are not exact matches. Each thread company develops their own set of colors. Use your own eye to pick the colors you want. You might decide the design will look better on your fabric if the colors are all brighter or more muted or greener or darker. A thread conversion chart will not be able to help you decide.

If you can't decide between two thread colors, buy them both. The shipping charge is probably the same, and you are likely to use the extra color eventually. If you are just starting out, a thread assortment of harmonious colors can often be purchased at a discount over the single spool prices, and the colors have already been selected to work together.

Next issue: alphabet designs

from Mary Jane Allen of Perfect Little Stitches

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Buster Brown

The Buster Brown is a beautiful
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