Machine Quilting Quick Tip-Bobbin Thread Color

March 12, 2018
Thread Saver Bobbin Holder

Thread, Bobbin, Machine Quilting

Good Morning, Quilters!

Thank you to all who pre-ordered personalized, signed copies of More Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3 from my Etsy Shop.

YOUR enthusiasm is heartwarming!

MORE is selling like hotcakes–Thank YOU!!!  The first book of motifs is a best-seller–please help me make More a bestseller too!

Thread Saver Bobbin Holder

BOBBIN THREAD COLOR

Last week we discussed how to choose the best weight of thread for the bobbin when free motion or long arm quilting.

The color of the bobbin thread is important, too!

Recently while stitching, I noticed my yellow thread color didn’t look as rich as I thought it should…

A quick check of the bobbin revealed that I had brown thread in the bobbin. Even though my stitch was balanced, the bobbin thread was creating a dark shadow.  When I switched to yellow thread in the bobbin, the stitches looked prettier–a deeper yellow.

In the first photo above, the left lower side is stitched with the brown bobbin and the right is stitched with yellow bobbin.

The difference is subtle in the photograph, but quite noticeable in the quilt sample.

For this quilt, I wanted the richer color…the yellow in top and bobbin.

I usually try to match my top and bobbin thread color--but not always! (More on that in a later post…)

Machine Quilting Quick Tip:  Bobbin thread color is important – even when your stitch is well-balanced.  Use matching thread color for the richest version of the color or use a different color to create special effects.

What about YOU?

Do YOU pay attention to bobbin thread color?

Does YOUR bobbin thread match the quilt back or the thread on top?

Do YOU have a preference?

We’d LOVE to hear!

Happy, Colorful Stitching,

Lori

Pre-Order signed copies of More Fee Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3 from TheInboxJauntShop HERE
More Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3

PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only.  Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt.  For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com.  Thanks!

 

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16 comments

  • Ellen McKinley

    It just seems like if your tension is balance and the actual thread doesn’t show, it shouldn’t make a difference, but it sure does, apparently!

  • Carol, Totally off subject but question:Do you pre-wash your wool quilt batts + is so how?I had a terrible experience with a different type of woolen batt.Pre-washed as requested,made 2 quilts,washed before presenting = they were both so bearded after washing that they had to be literaly shaved before presenting.Hence I would like to hear your method before useing again.Am just playing catch up as my husband had been ill + required a lot of my personal care.He passed away Jan.4th this year + I would love to get back to the land of the living.Quilting has been my passion for over 40 yrs. so thought it might help to get my heart + soul back.
    Many congrats on both of your books.Keep up the great work,your daily post is the first thing I look for.

  • Paula Hedges

    It all depends on the quilt and the quilt back. I love variegated threads and use an opposite thread that will blend with the variegated when I can. I do like the thread to go with the fabric – blend or compliment – whenever I can get by with it!

  • Dea Jae Shore

    I’ve started using Bottomline exclusively. I have six colors– black, white, beige, navy, gray, and silver. I use the gray and silver the most.

  • Beverly DePoy

    It’s very important to me to have the same color in the bobbin as is being used on top.

  • MargeP

    When I am machine quilting, either on my LA or domestic machine, I always use the same or a very close color match in the bobbin. It is interesting looking at your sample stitches so may play around a bit to see what I end up with. Thanks.

  • CarolE

    Good morning! I agree with Suzanne G. — what an eye opener. If the tension was right I would never have thought that the bottom color would make a difference!

    I’m definitely looking forward to receiving your book!

  • Susan the Farm Quilter

    When I first started quilting I matched my bobbin thread to the backing of the quilt but after being told that judges expected to see bobbin thread matching the top thread, I switched. I have a few customers who like to use a solid fabric (or reads as solid) for the backing and they love the look of the different colored threads on the back – kind of like a wholecloth quilt!

  • Piecequilts

    Looking forward to receiving your new book. Used the first one yesterday. Wondering how you are enjoying your Q-20 sit-down ??

  • Lynea

    Unless I’m sewing with a dark thread, like navy or black, for which I will match the bobbin to the thread, my bobbin always has the color Natural in it.

  • Thank you for sharing with us Lori. I did pre-order More and I am an Inbox Jaunt loyalist (LOL). I am curious for an update on the Q20 now that you have had it a couple of months. How are you liking sitting at it? And how is the stitch compared to your other Bernina? Is it easier to achieve the good-looking stitch that I see on this yellow bobbin thread post? I know, probably silly questions yet have been very interested in your experience, thus far, on your new machine.

  • Bonnie Smith

    Thank you for sharing the photos. It is eye-opening to see how much influence the bobbin thread has on the top thread, something I had not considered. Usually, the same color is in the top and bottom thread when I quilt, but not always when I sew.

  • Suzanne G.

    This is quite an eye-opener. Last year I was getting ready to quilt a beautiful Christmas panel that would need a lot of bright gold on the front. I was practicing on some scrap with some bright yellow/gold on top and red in the bobbin. I never started the quilt because it just didn’t look right…now I know why! It’s remarkable how something so simple can make such a difference.
    I’ll most likely be working on some “Christmas in July” this summer, once I finish a bunch of other WIPs that is! .
    As always Lori, thank you so much.

    • Suzanne G.

      P.S. Congratulations on the success of your new book!!!!

  • Mary Ed Williams

    Both samples are interesting. I like the brown bobbin richness and the brightness of the yellow bobbin. More ideas for fun quilting!

  • Usually I do. The main time I use different colors top and bottom is when I’m machine stitching in binding. That’s going through so many layers that the stitch is almost always balanced with no pokies.

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