by starlizard 11 Sep 2011

Variegated threads.


When I was building my threads collection, I bought some of the variegated threads. Lo and behold, 3 years later, I've discovered that I really have no use for them.

Thoughts? Comments? Opinions?

7419

by queenofhearts 13 Sep 2011

I use them when there are tiny flowers scattered through a design and sometimes I also use them when satin stitching outlines.

1 comment
starlizard by starlizard 13 Sep 2011

Well now, that's interesting... I'll try and remember that the next time I've got a design with tiny flowers incorporated. I love paisleys and some of the designs I've got have little flowers scattered about. Thanks for responding.

22592
by shilly 12 Sep 2011

Halloween is one time I use variegated threads; striped socks, witches sweaters,etc. They can be fun for children's things generally.

1 comment
starlizard by starlizard 13 Sep 2011

I have yet to see a Halloween color scheme in variegated thread... if I did, I'd be tempted to buy it. LOL! Thanks for responding.

18403
by tilde01 12 Sep 2011

i love variegated threads on redwork designs. Gives them an entirely different look.

1 comment
starlizard by starlizard 12 Sep 2011

Thanks for responding.

16706
by dlmds 12 Sep 2011

I have not had the greatest luck with them either. H&*

1 comment
starlizard by starlizard 12 Sep 2011

Maybe you're like me... not applying to the right projects. LOL! I've really enjoyed reading the responses. Thank you for yours.

16434
by free3wil 12 Sep 2011

I think butterfies are beautiful worked up in variegated thread. And, a lot of flowers are pretty worked up in variegated thread.

1 comment
starlizard by starlizard 12 Sep 2011

I did a fsl butterfly in an orange, red, yellow variegation once. I dipped it in Modge Podge to coat it and then made a key fob out of it. Gave it to somebody... they loved it. Thanks for responding.

1795
by vickiannette 12 Sep 2011

I have used them in my Overlocker on the upper looper to edge scarves etc. Use the smallest setting on the stitch length and it looks like stripey button-hole.

1 comment
starlizard by starlizard 12 Sep 2011

What sort of fabric did you use for the scarves? Did you remove the blades and do a rolled hem?
Thanks for responding.

16529
by muffy 12 Sep 2011

I have some Metro Varigated Thread I bought a few months back...I've used it a couple of times, but never have liked the look. But I'm sure I will find a use sometime.

I don't like Varigated yarns either, they look tacky when you crochet or knit with them.

BUT!...I do love the look of my Twead Thread... it makes lovely fur on animals.

Muffy :)

1 comment
starlizard by starlizard 12 Sep 2011

Thanks for responding.

5172
by airyfairy 12 Sep 2011

I am also not a lover of variegated threads but I used them to try out angelbaby118 optical garden series and it looks wonderful.

3 comments
starlizard by starlizard 12 Sep 2011

Just for the sake of curiosity, what color combination did you use?

Thanks for responding.

airyfairy by airyfairy 12 Sep 2011

I used one from white through pinks to a burgandy for the optical rose.

starlizard by starlizard 12 Sep 2011

On the optical designs, I can see how a variegated thread (especially those colors) might turn out really well. Thank you for answering my question.

253107
by leenova54 11 Sep 2011

I love them for FSL ornaments and little angels and I have used them on one color designs, like a did on a onsie "I (heart) Grandma" and it came out adorable. On single color butterfly outlines and such. I only have a few spools and a couple are really low.

1 comment
starlizard by starlizard 12 Sep 2011

Thank you for responding, Lee.

33579
by bmupton 11 Sep 2011

I have used it many times when using a satin stitch for names on bibs and towels...it turns out very well.

1 comment
starlizard by starlizard 12 Sep 2011

Thanks for responding.

3101
by sewdoctor 11 Sep 2011

Sorry that was incomplete, I will try again

40378
by sewdoctor 11 Sep 2011

Is this what you wanted to post?

3 comments
caroldann by caroldann 11 Sep 2011

The blossoming booksmarks are the ones I did. Thanks for the link as I forget to post it on 9-1. hugs..Carol

starlizard by starlizard 11 Sep 2011

The link didn't work. But what I was trying to post was the Stitcher's Showcase page that my FSL dream catchers are on. For some reason, even on the adding the link part, it isn't completing or allowing for the entire link.

starlizard by starlizard 11 Sep 2011

If you go to the Stitcher's Showcase and type in 'Angelic Dreams' it will take you to a page that links to it. Its the only link on that page. I got the dream catcher lace designs and the totem designs... that's what I did with them.

40378
by starlizard 11 Sep 2011

Not exactly relevant, but here's the link to my Stitcher's Showcase on Embroidery Library.

1 comment
starlizard by starlizard 11 Sep 2011

Okay... apparently I'm not going to be able to post that link in any way. Wonder why?

7419
by mary51 11 Sep 2011

I love them, there are special designs for it, I like to used on leaves when ther is no satin stitch, letters look great, and simple flowers, i made a runner with varigated purple,green, orange, and blue, all together, the flowers came out very pretty.

1 comment
starlizard by starlizard 11 Sep 2011

Thanks for responding, Mary.

26714
by almag 11 Sep 2011

I used variegated thread just this weekend in two of Veronika's Spring Time Girls applique designs.

a. In the green girl .... as shading on the girl's figure in green/yellow shades; and in the flowers in a gentle pink/rose shading.
b. In the blue girl .... in the flowers in a more definite pink/red shading.

The fabric of the girls was mottled. They are the centre of blocks to be used in Spring quilts and raffled for cancer research. The blue one is supposed to be a different girl - I changed everything except the design in my machine so I now have an extra blue girl.... :}

Variegated thread can be used for many interesting applications. They are brilliant when used in flowers such as roses.

AlmaG.

1 comment
starlizard by starlizard 11 Sep 2011

Those are very nice.

17214
by aussiequilter 11 Sep 2011

I'm not a lover of variegated thread either , but they do look good done on black as quilt blocks.I used plain colours to make my Sashiko bag , but my girlfriend used variegated threads and is looked great.

4 comments
almag by almag 11 Sep 2011

This bag looks beautiful. I love the way you've broken away from tradition and used different colours for the blocks.
Is that stippling around the centre design? Was it part of the design or did you do that free motion stitching?
AlmaG.

ethan by ethan 11 Sep 2011

Your bag is beautifull, did you do it quilt as you go or did you attach a seperate lining. G

starlizard by starlizard 11 Sep 2011

Love that bag.

aussiequilter by aussiequilter 12 Sep 2011

Alma , they are stippled around the centre design , but all are from the built in designs on my Janome,11000.

23579
by caroldann 11 Sep 2011

I love variegated thread! I use them alot in FSL. Made about a dozen bookmarks all in variegated and they really looked so nice. Emblibrary show cased them on 9-1-2011. Hugs..Carol

4 comments
starlizard by starlizard 11 Sep 2011

Thanks for responding. I did use variegated thread in the bobbin for a FSL dream catcher I made. That one isn't on my Emblibrary Stitcher's Showcase, though. I sent but they didn't use that picture. Here's the link to some of the others I did, though...
http://www.emblibrary.com/el/elpr...

starlizard by starlizard 11 Sep 2011

Okay... apparently a link can't be used in a comment to a respond.

12165
by baydreamer 11 Sep 2011

Well use it in your bobbin,I like to use it for FSL,but would I just buy it, no. Mine came with a thread package. But if you go to the site below she seems to use it for applique and it looks great. Just some ideas for using it.

2 comments
starlizard by starlizard 11 Sep 2011

The application for the tops of the cupcakes looked nice; but that's not a project that I would do... I have no reason to do applique cupcakes.

starlizard by starlizard 11 Sep 2011

Thanks for responding.

33350
by gerryb 11 Sep 2011

I just saw a rag blanket on another site where they had used variegated threads to do redwork in the sqs & they looked very good. May want to try that. I have also used them when doing the "quilting" on fabric & batting to make purses with. Since they aren't something you want to save, try using them to test designs on sqs without changing the colors thus saving your solid threads & time! Then you might just like them to use in projects sometime.

1 comment
starlizard by starlizard 11 Sep 2011

Thanks for responding.
Its a rag quilt that I'm working on and digitized the pair of hands for. I didn't think about using them for testing... good idea.

35675
by bokkieborduur 11 Sep 2011

I used mine for names on cushions and bags etc. Love Marie

2 comments
starlizard by starlizard 11 Sep 2011

Perhaps I'm using the variegated threads for the wrong applications.

starlizard by starlizard 11 Sep 2011

Sorry I missed...
Thanks for responding.

11877
by terriweistra 11 Sep 2011

I lived in Saudia Arabia for 4 years and had an opportunity to buy embroidery threads at nominal costs, so I bought stacks and included was the variegated threads and I must be honest I really dont like it at all. I have tried but it just isnt to my taste. Not sure what I will do with them all :)

4 comments
bevintex by bevintex 11 Sep 2011

I would suggest donate them to a senior center or other good cause. You will free up your space and it will make you feel good.

ethan by ethan 11 Sep 2011

What part of Saudi did you live in, I spend some time there each year. G

starlizard by starlizard 11 Sep 2011

Senior center is a good idea. I'll have to check and see if the variegated threads would be used.
Thanks for responding.

babsie by babsie 12 Sep 2011

I have a blue and a pink and used them for frames for baby designs and it looks great. I am making blocks for a baby blanket and will post it when finished - when that will be is anybody's guess as I'm still on holiday in Oz.

16251
by bevintex 11 Sep 2011

I love them for fsl. I do a lot of butterflies and flowers in fsl and love the results. Some designs even come out striped while some are more shaded. When there is a sale on I always grab some even if I don't know what I'll make with it. Maybe someone would be willing to trade something for your thread.

67271
by sewfrenzie 11 Sep 2011

Save them for the Secret Santa exchanges or if you are on the Birthday exchange and give them as gifts to another cutie. Another cute may be very excited to get them and try them out. Just a thought. :D

22354
by kttyhwk4 11 Sep 2011

I like using them for FSL and embroidering things for children.

20661
by asterixsew Moderator 11 Sep 2011

I have a small collection of variegated threads but I dont use them that often. I have mixed feelings about them but I have used them in designs successfully in the past. I did a name on a cushion for a child and used a different - variegated thread for each initial. It looked great

1 comment
starlizard by starlizard 11 Sep 2011

Alas! I'm not alone.

114313
by poppanana 11 Sep 2011

They work great on a lot of the FSL (free standing lace) projects as they only use one color in them. I've made gorgeous bookmarks with the variegated threads. They can be incorporated into regular patterns as well, like a variegated brown for a teddy bear, etc. Be creative and enjoy!

3 comments
starlizard by starlizard 11 Sep 2011

Thanks for responding, poppanana. I've used some of it in FSL (free standing lace), but really wasn't impressed with the results. Last night I was stitching out a pair of hands and decided to use the pastel variegated on the design and did not care for the results. I ended up doing the design over in a solid color. Maybe its just me.

starlizard by starlizard 11 Sep 2011

... the results. Maybe its just me.

alidar by alidar 11 Sep 2011

Ive seen some digitizers using it for applique. It really looks quite nice

374