judykay

I am new at machine applique and would like to know what color thread do you use. It is a pre printed panel with a bird, flowers and a bird house so there are many colors on a black background.

Peckish

It's totally whatever your preference is. I've used a buttonhole stitch in black for all applique on the quilt, and I've also done in colors that matched each applique. Depends on the look you're going for and what you like best.

There are no rules!

crafty pat

I use the black blanket stitch for mine as that is the stitch I use when hand applique.

QuiltE

Oh so true ... no rules!

... or all the blanket stitching in one colour, not black.
Another possibility is using one variegated thread. Or threads.

Depends what looks best with the fabrics you are using ... and what look you want to your project.

Tartan

Since the background is black, I would use black buttonhole stitch. You could also use a variegated rainbow thread but if you have to redo a section, it will be harder to match up variegated thread.

ube quilting

Audition a few different threads you might like to use by pooling some of each on the quilt. without seeing the project it is hard to say what we like so you have to choose the one or some you like best. I just finished a small wall hanging and used green for the stems and leaves, brown for the background, coral for the house and soft yellow for the star and flowers. I am fortunate to have a variety of thread and made a fun project using many threads.

If you are limited in color choice, choose the one that is the closest to what you want the piece to do. Do you want to hide the stitching or let it be part of the show as an accent in the project, bold, soft or blend?

I wish I could see what you are working on. I am new to machine applique too and it is fun to see what other people are doing on their projects.

Here is a sample of what I just did. Buttonhole stitched the larger pieces and edge stitched the smaller pieces. I quilted it with several colors.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]609372[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]609373[/ATTACH]

hope this helps you to make a choice on your project.

jmoore

I think it depends on the size of your project...when I did the elephants in My Mommy & Me quilt, they were one color and the balloons another color. It depends on how many times you want to change out ... but I like to try to match colors for my appliqué pieces.

cindi

I almost always use Monopoly invisible thread and a small zig-zag stitch. That way I don’t have any color changes!

Mitty

If I'm using a straight stitch I generally use colors to blend into the fabrics, because I don't want the stitching to stand out.

If I'm using some other kind of stitch that will show up more, I'll often use the same color thread for the whole piece (like using all red on something for Christmas). That helps unify the whole thing. But it really depends on exactly what it is. As a start, decide if you want each piece to be outlined or if you want the stitching to be less prominent.

PamelaOry

What is the buttonhole stitch? Is it like a blanket stitch?