Show Us Your Stash ~ Thread

The following questions are related to this blog post.
http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=8780  Answer below or on your own blog. 

 * How did you select colors for your personal thread collection?
    * Do you always match the color perfectly to your project?
    * Do you ever use contrasting thread?
    * Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread?
    * What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors?
    * Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread?
    * Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection?
    * Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)?
    * Do you "invest" in thread?
    * What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.)

* How did you select colors for your personal thread collection? Based on projects in mind (including future ones say few months ahead or so)
    * Do you always match the color perfectly to your project? Mostly
    * Do you ever use contrasting thread? Yes for top stitching and edge stitching ruffles
    * Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread? Mostly
    * What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors? Try to pick a color which blends with the major color combo in the fabric
    * Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread? Sturdy, smooth , durable
    * Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection?


    * Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)? Yes... i have and will do so, and then try finding fabric for the same....its fun actually.
    * Do you "invest" in thread? Yes i have a stash of embroidery threads, though i don't know how to embroider in machine as yet!
    * What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.) elastic, all-purpose, embroidery

    * How did you select colors for your personal thread collection? Depending on my current project I buy matching threads

    * Do you always match the color perfectly to your project? Almost

    * Do you ever use contrasting thread? Sometimes

    * Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread? Almost always

    * What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors? I choose the lightest color

    * Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread? I'm just a beginner 

    * Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection? well, my collection is not so big and I don't have a camera still

    * Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)? That hasn't happened yet! 

    * Do you “invest” in thread? not much

    * What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.) All-purpose

* How did you select colors for your personal thread collection? They're mostly neutral ones and then colors that would look ugly matched with neutrals.
* Do you always match the color perfectly to your project? Not at all, changing the thread costs a lot of time so sometimes I will sew with whatever color is on.
* Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread? Yes. Or at least try to not have too much color difference between the two. If the tension is off just a little bit little knods will show up which is quite ugly!
* What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors? Then I just try to use the color that is the most represented in the fabric design.
* Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)? No, never. Sorry!
* Do you "invest" in thread? Not really. I buy some when I need it.
* What types of thread do you have? Polyester. I have an industrial machine and it is really picky about which thread can be used.

* How did you select colors for your personal thread collection?
Closest matching if I have on hand, then a neutral.

    * Do you always match the color perfectly to your project?
No.
    * Do you ever use contrasting thread?
Yes.
    * Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread?
Always! 

    * What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors?
Find the one that looks best on the field: best match, contrast, and finally neutral.

    * Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread?
Like I taught the 4-H kids: if you can't match perfectly, choose a shade or two darker.

    * Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection?
Ha! No! It's currently in a glass candy jar, but getting all tangled. Pretty but not practical.

    * Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)?
No, but I do it with other notions!

    * Do you "invest" in thread?
Only basic colors on sale.

    * What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.)
All purpose, quilting, novelty (glow-in-the-dark, nylon invisible), vintage

 * How did you select colors for your personal thread collection? - sometimes on a whim (just like the colour), other times I'll match to a particular fabric for a project
    * Do you always match the color perfectly to your project? Try to get a good match, but not always easy.
    * Do you ever use contrasting thread? Sometimes
    * Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread? Not so much in sewing projects, but I do when I'm machine embroidering.
    * What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors? Just pick one of the colours to match to - usually the background colour if there is one.
    * Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread? If you can, take your project fabric with you to the shop and try and match up near a window if possible to get the daylight.
    * Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection? Don't have any at the moment.
    * Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)? Yes I have a number - especially embroidery threads.
    * Do you "invest" in thread? Not sure what this means, but I will buy colours that I think might be generally useful as opposed to for a particular project.
    * What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.) cotton, elastic, embroidery, metallic

* How did you select colors for your personal thread collection?  Based on current and projects.
    * Do you always match the color perfectly to your project?  I try
    * Do you ever use contrasting thread?  Sometimes
    * Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread?  Generally, unless I'm running out of the main color.
    * What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors?  That's harder, and it is one of the reasons I'm excited to see these new thread collections.  I'll be safe.
    * Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread?  Sometimes asking someone else what they think.  Four eyes can be better than two. 
    * Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection?  My thread drawer.  Yikes. 
    * Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)?  Thread itself usually doesn't motivate the purchase, but the beautiful colors on the thread display inspire me to sew. 
    * Do you "invest" in thread?  I buy good thread.
    * What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.) All purpose, quilting, and vintage.  I do pick up vintage thread when I see it in shops.  I like the wooden spools.

 * How did you select colors for your personal thread collection? I first bought the most common ones, and then went from there, project by project. I'm a beginner and it's slowly growing.
    * Do you always match the color perfectly to your project? No
    * Do you ever use contrasting thread? Yes
    * Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread? Yes
    * What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors? I usually go with white
    * Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread? Not really...as a novice, I can't give advice.
    * Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection? If you want. It's really small though..like 8 colors.
    * Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)? No
    * Do you "invest" in thread? Not yet
    * What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.) Quilting and all-purpose

www.flickr.com/photos/shemingson/4773651987/
My thread collection has deep meaning to me.  My best friend of 26 years died of breast cancer 2 years ago.  Recently, her mother and I were in her attic going through her keepsakes.  She was a bit of a pack rat, so I was thrilled when I came across two huge plastic tubs of material. But honestly, my breath was taken away when I turned around and almost fell over a thread rack seen in this picture.  It was like a rainbow gift from her to me.  I had been thinking about getting one of these wooden racks for my thread stash.  We had just gotten in to sewing when she got sick. My passion for sewing has really taken off in the last couple of years.  I feel like with every project, she has a small part in it. Without getting too cheesy or sentimental, I know that her thread stash was a little gift from above!  

 * How did you select colors for your personal thread collection?  see answer above :)
    * Do you always match the color perfectly to your project?  I try
    * Do you ever use contrasting thread?  I love to use contrasting thread on napkins
    * Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread?  yep!
    * What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors? I try to match the most dominant color
    * Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread? love it, or find something else
    * Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection? see above!
    * Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)? absolutely
    * Do you "invest" in thread? absolutely!
    * What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.) a little bit of everything, after reading Flossie Teacakes blog, I tried smocking a Fourth of July dress for daughter this past weekend with elastic thread.  It turned out not too bad for a first timer at smocking.

 * How did you select colors for your personal thread collection?  I choose them based on what project I'm working on.
    * Do you always match the color perfectly to your project? nope!
    * Do you ever use contrasting thread? yes
    * Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread? usually
    * What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors? I generally use a neutral.
    * Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread? no, not really!
    * Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection? no
    * Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)? yes, coats & clark temple gols.
    * Do you "invest" in thread? no, my machine is a little picky and doesn't like gutermann, so I'm hesitant to try other expensive threads.
    * What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.) elastic, all-purpose, and hand-quilting.

 * How did you select colors for your personal thread collection? I can't always works lots of colors into my budget, so I usually have an off white, true white, and black. I find that if the thread is noticeable, it still looks clean an neat, because those are classic neutrals. I would rather spend more on a high quality, and just have less of it.
    * Do you always match the color perfectly to your project? No
    * Do you ever use contrasting thread? Sometimes, depending on the color of the fabric
    * Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread? Yes
    * What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors? Neutrals all the way!
    * Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread? Buy nice thread, the cheap stuff will ruin your machine, and make your work look poorly done
    * Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection? It's not very expansive, I have four spools.
    * Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)? Once, but I've never used it, because I didn't have a project in mind.
    * Do you "invest" in thread? Def. But I only buy a bit at a time and use it up before I buy more.
    * What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.) All purpose, but I do need some elastic thread!

 * How did you select colors for your personal thread collection? Whatever I am currently doing I seem to accumulate a wide selection, ie. piecing, machine quilting, heirloom sewing, serging, etc.
    * Do you always match the color perfectly to your project? Nah.
    * Do you ever use contrasting thread? Yes for mending and machine quilting
    * Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread? Mostly
    * What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors? Largest color area
    * Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread? Try lots of different kinds.  
    * Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection? It's kept in too many places!
    * Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)? Yes, especially with machine quilting thread.
    * Do you "invest" in thread? I must, I've ended up with so much!
    * What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.) elastic, hand quilting, machine quilting, rayon, poly, very fine cotton, serging cones, wooly nylon, metallics....you name it.

My answers...

*How did you select colors for your personal thread collection? - So far I've only ever bought neutral coloured threads, and a few brightly coloured smaller spools from the clearance bin.
*Do you always match the color perfectly to your project? - I've only ever use white/off white threads for my projects.
*Do you ever use contrasting thread? - Not yet, but I plan to!
*Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread? - Yes!
*What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors? - Still use just white/off white, I'm boring, I know.
*Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread? - Hmm, stock up on the basics, and try to buy threads made of the same material as the fabric you are sewing.  If you use polyester threads on cotton fabric, the threads will eventually damage the fabric. I only buy 100% cotton threads!
*Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection? - Right now I only have 3 big spools of white/off white, and 4 spools of coloured (dark brown, silver, pink, and deep green), too pathetic to show...
*Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)? - Yes, all the coloured threads, albeit a small stash, were bought because of the colours.  None of them have been used yet.
*Do you "invest" in thread? - Not really.
*What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.) - I have 100% cotton threads for my sewing machine, and I also have quilting threads for sewing on quilt bindings, and some all-purpose threads for hand-sewing.

How did you select colors for your personal thread collection? I mostly have neutrals or colors to go with my projects.
Do you always match the color perfectly to your project? It matters the project. But it always has to look great.
Do you ever use contrasting thread? Yes.
Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread? Not always. I am practicing my machine quilting right now, but once I get better I would like to use to different colors more often.
What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors? I pick on that goes well with all. Most likey a neutral color.
Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread? Use different threads for different purposes. Find the one that works best for what you are doing.
Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection? No sorry.
Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)? Yes. I have been known to do that.
Do you “invest” in thread? Shh don't tell my husband but I am planning on making a little investment this weekend.
What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.) Cotton, polyester, quilting.

I will try to answer in order:

How did you select colors for your personal thread collection?Just basic colors, white, pink, black, and my mom and I just recently picked up a yellow!
    * Do you always match the color perfectly to your project? NEVER! I like to 'spice it up' with color!
    * Do you ever use contrasting thread? YES
    * Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread? Of course...
    * What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors? Use white. It goes well with most everything.
    * Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread? Nope.
   
    * Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)? No.
    * Do you "invest" in thread? Not really.
    * What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.) Elastic, all purpose, embroidery and I think that's it...

  youngseamstress