Machine Embroidery: Variegated Thread
By Stephanie Corina Goddard
Need a little variety in your life? Explore the potential of variegated thread. Featured here are its applications in machine embroidery.
IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL how a variegated thread will stitch out just from looking at it on a spool. Before committing a variegated thread to an embroidery design, stitch a sample on solid-color cloth backed with stabilizer. Sew for several inches using the widest possible satin stitch (1). Then turn the fabric and straight stitch back and forth in short lengths (2). Analyze the samples for the following:
- How many colors are there?
- Do the colors blend gradually from one to another, or are the changes abrupt?
- Are all the colors of similar value, or does a single color stand out as noticeably darker or lighter?
- Are the color changes random or is there a predictable pattern?
- Are the color runs short (1" or less) or long?
- Are the color runs all the same length? If not, is there any one color that stands out as noticeably longer or shorter?
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