Dear Stitching & Quilting Friends:

What is all the buzz about? The hummingbirds and bumble bees are definitely back to status quo around here. And Quilt Show Season is well underway in provinces across Canada. Perhaps I'll meet you one day at a show near you.

Here's some tips when shopping for Threads in person or on-line...

Shopping for Variegated THREADS 101

Compare the 2 yummy spools of Rainbows™, which share the same product code #805 Inca Pink. No trick photography here--they're twins! During my "THREAD TALKS", I call this my text book example of how we can easily short circuit an otherwise "good Thread decision" when shopping for Thread colors...

Depending on how the machine randomly wound this particular spool, indicates how differently a variegated spool can appear at first glance. Which one would you choose: #1 or #2? If it was possible to wind variegated spools identically, the "eye candy" would be hard to resist! The point is, sometimes a 2nd or 3rd look is warranted when making a qualified decision. This 1-inch color change technology is preferred over some longer color repeats on the market. It's an advantage to be able to predict how your colors will stitch out for quilting, satin stitch or decorative stitches. 

The best news is all Superior variegated lines: Rainbows™, King Tut™, Lava™, and the New So Fine #40 (variegated) are all dyed with perfect, predictable 1-inch color repeats--another Superior exclusive feature. Personally, I prefer to unravel a length of Thread and lay it on a white background to view the colors. Best scenario is when customers bring their projects to audition alongside my Thread Gallery in my booth. 

(Reminder: Color Cards are also a reliable resource for "at home reference" and for project planning.)

Shopping for Variegated THREADS 102

In some cases you may have a favorite variegated color choice for eg. in King Tut™ Extra-Long Staple Egyptian grown cotton and you wish to purchase its mate in polyester for a different texture or appearance on your project.

MY NEW BLOG POST

View highlights of the recent Victoria Quilters' Guild Show 2012 "Journeys"

FOLLOW my "Cinderella's Thread Column"

In the CQA/ACC National Publication Summer issue available soon from my website or subscribe. My column topic this month is: What's so Special About Silk Thread?

NEW PRODUCTS HERE SOON...