Show Us Your Stash ~ Thread

How did you select colors for your personal thread collection? I buy as I go, I select the fabric first and then find the closest macth possible in threads.
    * Do you always match the color perfectly to your project?  Mostly yes but sometimes I like to use contrasting thread to give a slightly different look.
    * Do you ever use contrasting thread? ha ha I keep answering with the following question, Yes!

    * Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread? Yes, only because Im a little scared of the bottom one coming through as im fairly new to sewing.
    * What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors?  I use a nylon clear thread.
    * Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread? always take the fabric with you and but more then you think you need.
    * Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection?  I could but its not very impressive I have a small bag full, but I want to purchase a thread rack soon to display them on as the bag is getting quite full.
    * Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)? no, the inspiration for me is always in the fabric.
    * Do you "invest" in thread?  I always buy the best quality and amount I can afford.
    * What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.)All purpose mainly, as that is what is available in my local store, I would love to try proper quilting thread though.

 * How did you select colors for your personal thread collection?
Luck! They are mostly acquired through gifts, inheritance, or through specific projects
    * Do you always match the color perfectly to your project?
Of course (cough cough). Well, sometimes.
    * Do you ever use contrasting thread?
Yes but I mostly regret it! It always looks great in my head...
    * Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread?Not always...to lazy, sometimes too stingy with precious threads
    * What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors? I might exert slightly more effort. Maybe
    * Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread?Cheap thread costs in the end
    * Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection?No! In the midst of moving house, with a camera in one house and a camera cable in another
    * Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)? Hmm. Yes, especially vintage thread. Don't tell.
    * Do you "invest" in thread? Hopes and dreams. It all hangs on the thread
    * What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.)
Oh, all sorts! Mostly generic and quilting, but a lovely selection of specialist threads inherited from my grandmother (along with her treadle Singer machine - thanks Nan!)

How did you select colors for your personal thread collection?
Actually I inherited most of my current thread from my mother, although before that I purchased a small selection of primary colors and then the rest on a per-project basis.
    * Do you always match the color perfectly to your project?
It depends.  90% of the time nowadays I just go to the thread box and pick the closest match.  If it's a thread that is really going to show (topstitching, for example) and nothing is close enough to suit me I might buy a thread specifically for the project. 
    * Do you ever use contrasting thread?
I have used contrasting thread, and I learned that if you are trying to show off your thread you should pick the right kind - topstitching versus regular thread.
    * Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread?
Yes, I pretty much always use the same color
    * What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors?
I have never stitched threads to sew different areas of a fabric.  I would either select a neutral color or a color that contrasts both areas.
    * Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread?
If you don't have an exact match for thread, a shade lighter will blend more and a shade lighter will stand out more (but both could be good depending on what you want)
    * Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection?
This is most but not all of my thread:
    * Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)?
Yes, I have purchased just based on color but not often.
    * Do you "invest" in thread?
No, I don't usually "invest" in thread, I buy what I need as I go along for the most part.
    * What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.)
I have mostly all-purpose thread.

    * How did you select colors for your personal thread collection? Based on the brand and the project I needed them for.
    * Do you always match the color perfectly to your project? Nope, I like to vary the colors.
    * Do you ever use contrasting thread? Yes, definitely.
    * Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread? nope.
    * What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors?  I use the color thread that matches the predominant color in the fabric.
    * Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread? try something new, like a color on the opposite side of the color wheel from the fabric you're using.
    * Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection? unfortunately it's current in 3 places, so no.
    * Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)? no, I love fabric to much.
    * Do you “invest” in thread? no.
    * What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.)quilting and all purpose

How did you select colors for your personal thread collection? I am a magpie and buy colors that catch my eye hoping they'll match something sometime.
    * Do you always match the color perfectly to your project? Emphatic no. 
    * Do you ever use contrasting thread? yes,all the time
    * Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread? sometimes
    * What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors? more the better!
    * Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread? Buy high quality thread and take chances with color.
    * 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 - far too often
    * Do you "invest" in thread? yes, I buy high quality thread in many colors when it goes on sale
    * What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.)elastic, all purpose mostly

 * How did you select colors for your personal thread collection?
I clipped swatches from all of the major fabrics in my stash and bought like 25 spools during one of the major big box sales so I don't have to buy thread every time I start a project, but I still buy the perfect color for special projects.  

    * Do you always match the color perfectly to your project?
I try to.  If there isn't a predominant white/black/cream/gray in my project I definitely try to match the main color in the fabric.

    * Do you ever use contrasting thread?
Rarely.  I like it to match.  Although, if I use denim and a colorful fabric I will use the colored thread on the denim.  I just made a quilt with black sashing and I used light blue thread and it looked really cool!  I think that as I've become more confident about my sewing it's easier to not worry about the stitches showing so much.

    * Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread?
Only if it matches both fabrics.  I will definitely use different colors if I think it will look better that way.

    * What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors?
I try to match the predominant color if I'm buying new, or match one of the colors if I'm using my stash - especially if there is black, white, cream or gray in the fabric.

    * Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread?
Buy bigger spools of your basic colors.  Save the empty spools of colors you like (with the # on it) so you can buy more. Buy high quality thread!

    * Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection?
Yes, but it's not very organized.


    * Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)?
No, but I've definitely wanted to.  Well, actually when I bought an embroidery machine I bought a bunch of random colors and several pinks and purples, but I learned my lesson because it just sits around since I can't really use embroidery thread for construction.

    * Do you "invest" in thread?
I did by buying a whole bunch to get me started, including a boxed set. I also only buy high quality thread.  I buy Guetermann or Mettler, and sometimes C&C Dual Duty if the other two don't have the color I need.

    * What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.)
Poly for bags & projects with interfacing and lots of layers.  I buy cotton only when I need it for quilts and match it to each project.  

* How did you select colors for your personal thread    collection? 
I try to match, but sometimes I can't wait until I can get to the store! 
* 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?
Not all of the time...
* What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors?
I pick the most dominant color or my favorite color in the fabric
* Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread?
Just don't stress about it!
* Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection?
Um, I could but it's nothing special.
* Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)?
YES!
* Do you “invest” in thread?
No
* What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.)
Elastic, all purpose

* How did you select colors for your personal thread collection? by project or just because I love the color
    * Do you always match the color perfectly to your project?  No!
    * Do you ever use contrasting thread? About 50%
    * Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread?    Sometimes - depends on project / desired effect / time available...
    * What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors? Pick a color for top and another for bottom and sew
    * Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread? Not really - I use whatever will make my project look best.
    * Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection? I'd have to find my camera & get batteries...even then it would be a photo of a small desk organizer, about the size of a file cabinet
    * Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)? Oh, yeah.
    * Do you "invest" in thread? Don't tell my kids - that is where their inheritance has gone: thread and fabric
    * What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.) Quilting, Hand-quilting, Rayon, doll-making thread, all-purpose, Cotton, Polyester, Jean and heavy duty thread. Upholstery, some odd-ball crafty stuff: a spool of elastic thread, a spool of the interfacing kind of sticky thread. I think I even may have a spool of thread that dissolves in water and one or two that are silk? I haven't really examined my stash closely out of guilt / embarrassment in several years, but I guess the time has come to look at my addictions...

 * How did you select colors for your personal thread collection?
     I think I just gathered as I went along. Now I have a fairly good selection.

    * Do you always match the color perfectly to your project?
       Pretty much. Sometimes I'll go a shade darker. Or if I'm using fabric out of my stash and don't want to go to the store just to buy thread I will pick something close out of the thread I already have. Medium gray and taupe come in handy.

    * Do you ever use contrasting thread?
       Yes, if I can't find a matching shade I may use a contrast thread or sometimes just for fun or as a subtle accent on a simple pattern.

* Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread?
       Most of the time I do. But maybe not if I am working on something reversible.

    * What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors?
       I try to pick the color that will be the least noticed when working with a big print. Sometimes a medium gray works really well. I do remember one project where I did change thread colors when topstitching.

    * Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread?
       Don't buy cheap thread. For important projects I prefer to use thread that is weaker than the fabric so that a strain at a seam will pop the thread rather than tear the fabric. This means different combinations for different fabrics.

    * Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection?
       My thread on the wall rack I built for it.


    * Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)?
       I don't think I've ever done that. I do have a jar of inherited vintage spools that I kept because they are pretty but I don't plan on using them.

    * Do you "invest" in thread?
       Yes, I keep stocked up on certain colors that I use a lot of - ecru, medium gray, taupe, black and white, navy and brown. I buy them in lots of 4 from an online tailor supply.

    * What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.)
       elastic, cotton quilting, regular cotton for dyeing, 100% polyester, cotton covered polyester, silk, polyarn for the serger, buttonhole thread, nylon upholstery thread and some shiny black rayon I don't know why I have. Wow, I had no idea I had so many different kinds.