I was thinking kind of what you've suggested. I tried it quickly before I had to run out for errands earlier, but I did it with double threads. It didn't look great and I think that's why. Once I get some time to focus later this evening, I'll try it again, but with a single thread.
Thank you for responding. It's funny how just when I start feeling confident in my skills, something else makes it clear that I still have so so much to learn!