Hand quilters...thread colours....
 

I finished the top I want to hand quilt and the question is...do I match the thread to the material or do I use white? Or something else?

This is new territory for me so any help appreciated!

Thanks, Watson

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Watson,
When I learned to hand quilt many years ago, the class I took suggested white or cream hand quilting thread. Now...I use what I want. Use what makes you feel happy, we have so many more choices than we used to. If you're worried about stitches showing, use the color you are sewing on, and if you want them to show use white or even blue. When you first start your stitches may not be small, so work for consistent size and the smaller stitches will soon follow. I have watched your quilting journey and see progress in everything you have done. Keep up the good work.
Brenda

Personally I would probably pick one of the colors in the quilt. Yellow will blend more but orange or green would be cute on this.

I use YLI hand quilting thread, it is glazed so that helps prevent tangling and it glides through the fabric nicely. There's a variety of colours available.

If you want your stitching to show up, use a contrasting color to the fabric. If you want the fabric to be the show, use the same color as the fabric. I commonly change thread color to match what I am quilting on.

I would use orange quilting thread, of which I happen to have a spool! Your cheery colors remind me of the first baby quilt I made about 1977, and a twin quilt for my daughter in 1982. Guess colors come around again, too!

This is the basic rule of thumb that I follow as well. I will sometimes use many different color threads in a single quilt depending on what effect I want on that particular quilt. Remember, there are no rules!

Obviously, like everything else we do recently.....whatever you want! There was a time that all hand quilting was done in white/natural...but I think that's because not much else was available or affordable. Times have certainly changed.

You've received some really great advice from far, far more seasoned hand quilters than I (I just started my first project), but for what it's worth, I picked a color that is darker than my background so it would show up. I figured if I'm going to put that much time & effort into something, I want people to see it. :)

these people have said it all! Best wishes!

What color is your backing? I prefer not to have a strong contrast between thread and fabric. I think white or yellow thread would work well for this quilt. I would recommend working with a practice sandwich before starting in on the quilt itself.

I used to stitch with stark white, and after a while decided that I did not like it. I now use off-white, or a light cream.

I have hand quilted a few projects and have use a variety of threads. It really depends on what effect you want in your finished quilt. If you want the quilting to really show then used something with a high contrast to the fabrics. I have used different colors on different areas of a quilt just so the color from the thread can be seen and add to the design elements. I have used 2 stands of embroidery floss in some projects because the color was closest to what I wanted. I have used pearl cotton and bigger stitches on a whole cloth piece that really makes the colors of the thread "pop." I have also used variegated hand quilting threads as well as white/neutral, There are as many choices as there are quilts and quilt-makers.
Also, it may depend on the quilting design that you choose. You may want to pick one color that blends with or contrasts with all the colors if you are doing an overall pattern. Or if you are going to quilt something within the strips you may want to use a different color in each color of strip to get the effect that you want.
BTW-your quilt top is very lovely. So sunny and happy! Good luck-I know you will enjoy the process what ever you pick!

Another sometimes hand quilter here. I started out using just cream. But for the project I'm working on now I'm using turquoise glazed thread on something with turquoise, brown and white. It is looking good. so, like everyone above says, do what you find pleasing!!

That is what I would do also.

If your thread is the same color as the fabric, the stitches don't stand out so much. For a beginning quilter, this might be a good thing as stitch consistency takes practice to accomplish. Contrasting thread shows every stitch flaw.

Edited to tell you that your quilt is lovely.

beautiful quilt. I hand-quilt and only use YLI glazed cotton thread. I do have to order it online, but it is quick to arrive. I like cream color for most quilts - even stark white quilts, the cream works well. It's also priced very reasonably.

I tend to pick something that goes w/ my backing. I believe the type of batting I pick almost accentuates my quilting more than the thread. I like the crinkled up look that a quilt gets after washing it. My current project has Hobbs 80/20 batting. First time i've used it, so i'll be interested to see how it washes up.

And for your quilt - I see a cream color.

I use the same thread I pieced it with which in my case is neutral tan. It doesn't smack you in the eye but does show the quilting nicely. For blues I'd probably use a light grey.

I have been hand quilting for at least 4 years now and my stitches never look consistent. I do get frustrated because I try to keep things consistent but eventually give up. I enjoy the hand work so to quote my DD, "It is what it is."
I see a yellow quilting thread on this one.
However, I agree with Bree123, if I am putting in all that time to hand quilt, I darn well want others to see it and KNOW that it is hand done.

when I started hand quilting in the early 70's ( before that I tied quilts with emb floss) i used white or off white. that was what they had that I could see. Now that quilting is popular, it comes in all colors. I use colors that match,, but on a bright colored quilt, i used bright colors in the black borders. I'd go with yellow on this lovely quilt, and them maybe accent with an orange. again, it's all up to you. I love this quilt you made.

i would use different colors as i like the result at the end of quilting and if you could find a varigated with those colors that would be great too

My grandmother and great grandmother always used an ivory thread even on a navy blue and orange quilt they made. It shows off the handwork nicely.

A quilt that is hand quilted has its own look and I know I can tell the difference even from a distance.

Pick whatever color you think looks nice for this quilt. You are the artist of this quilt.