Thread...again....
 

I thought I had this all figured out. *sigh*

Luckily, I did a practice piece before I began quilting my NY Beauty.

I had purchased Lilac and Charcoal Decobob to use for the SitD, which worked perfectly. I was also going to use the Charcoal for all the fill on the background, because it is so thin there wouldn't be much thread buildup if you had to backtrack, but when I did a practice sandwich, because the thread is shiny, it picks up the light and reflects it back as almost yellow in spots. Not what I'm looking for.

Plan B....I had purchased some King Tut in Obsidian that a salesperson had sold me when I asked for something dark but not black...did a test on it...it's actually a variegated thread with black/grey/copper in it! Not what I wanted.

Plan C....I have no plan C.

So, what's plan C?
Do I try to find another really dark grey? A really dark purple? Bite the bullet, buy black and squint? Other ideas?

Watson

Here's the piece, so you get an idea. [ATTACH=CONFIG]582358[/ATTACH]

Another really dark gray. That is what I had the longarmer use on my PP king sized quilt that had black as the background color. I am really pleased with how it turned out. The quilting can be seen but is not the focus.

What a beautiful quilt!!!! Wish I had thread advice for you, but I am sure others will... I just had to admire your wonderful creation.

Dina

Lovely quilt ... now to get it to the finish line!

I know what you mean .... contrasting thread is easier to see for the quilter,
... but matching the thread is nicer, to let it fade into the background.

Some thoughts on thread ... try Invisafil 100 wt. It disappears even if it has some colour to it.
Doesn't solve your challenge of "seeing" it because you want to stay dark.
Possibility? a dark purple ... might give a wee bit of contrast, but might also fade into the black?

Take a look at your lighting ... move things around from your normal set-up.
Can you get more lighting aimed at the quilting area?
Perhaps set up a floor lamp? I'm thinking more of an industrial/work lamp, than a household.
You'll figure it out ... I am sure!

I would say that black would be the best unless you want the quilting to show up and in that case you need a bit of contrast. Some longarm quilters use a blacklight when they use black on black. good luck. You have a beautiful quilt and please post the finish.

Rather than pinning .... there are 202 and 404 sprays (yes, from the 505 people) that you might want to use. It would help you keep it flat, rather than the bumps that pinning causes .... and the risk of hitting the pins while FMQing.

I'm not sure I would want to go the tissue paper route, but if it works then it's worth the try.

My thought is about the thread. Which brand and what fiber content is it? Cotton thread usually has less sheen than poly or rayon. Thread produced for machine embroidery has more sheen. Also trilobal poly thread reflects light and is intended to be shiny. For the least build up of thread and the least shine, I'd suggest Aurifil in 80 wt, black.

Beautiful quilt top. I would either use black or nylon type thread. I only pin baste my quilts and have never had bumps. I seldom hit the pins when fmq. I just make sure the pins are out where I am going to quilt next.

Beautiful quilt top, thanks for sharing your picture. I purchased a head lamp from Amazon, and can see with the extra 3 LED lights the black on black, however I find I cannot wear it too long, it is so very bright, a couple of hours is long enough to use the brighter lights. I would agree with Chasezzz, the darker grey would be very nice, and perhaps easier for you to see.

Just a thought on sewing with a matching or close to matching thread. I have to use a bright light down low close to the material surface and to the side to be able to see the relief the thread creates as you sew: I turn my machine light off, all the room lights off, shut the blinds and use only the bright side light. Try it and see if it suits your needs.

Thanks everyone for all your hints and tips. I'm going to try some of the lighting suggestions with the black and see w it goes.

Watson

About the tissue paper--is it hard to get out? Does it wash out? Thanks.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]582471[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]582472[/ATTACH]

These pictures are taken on my side table with the black thread laying over the black fabric, I used my High Power Headlamp, 3T Cree T6, which has three lights and is rechargable and in the USA costs less than $20.00. In Canada mine cost $60....even though mine cost me three times what the USA folks pay, it was so worth it. The first pic is using all three lights and the last one is just using the one main lamp. This worked for me.

Wow. Thanks for posting!
I really don't think I'm going to be happy with anything but black. I bought some super dark grey and I still don't care for it.

Watson

Oh, my. You are so good. You have that quilt balanced perfectly. I love it. I'm no help on thread.ha. Just wanted to tell you how I love the quilts you make.

Watson--check out some black SoFine #50 (very fine without any sheen) or MicroQuilter (even finer,plenty strong and little sheen--great for fill)both SoFine and easy to use. I'd use a prewound bobbin, maybe a SuperBob or a MagnaGlide bobbin for the MicroQuilt thread--just easier to "wind". King Tut is way to heavy for that background fill, and if you decide to quilt this on long arm rental, the embroidery thread will need to be done slower as it may break more. PLEASE post a picture of it quilted--fabulous quilt!

quiltingshorttimer...I will definitely be doing this on my DSM. My LA skills leave a LOT to be desired!
Unfortunately, I don't have access to all the cool threads you guys have in the US, so I may be just using a 50 weight matte black for the background fill. I have Decobob for the bobbin in Charcoal, which works well.

If I ever again get to to a big show I will be stocking up!

Watson

Watson, can you order directly from Superior in Canada?

If you want to 'hide' the quilting then I would use a dark grey, otherwise I'm picturing a variegated teal/purple thread.