HCP

Very helpful thread on variegated thread! I just recently decided I would like to try it for FMQ and was interested in the comments about the color sequence and change. I had no idea there would be such a difference between brands and will keep that in mind when I get ready to purchase. Thanks for all of the helpful tips!

Scraplady

I have decided I like variegated threads best on solid or nearly solid backgrounds. If there are too many color changes going on in the piecing, all the color changes in the thread just seem distracting.

I recently tried quilting again with a Connecting Threads variegated I had previously been very disappointed with. This time I did an all over pebble pattern in Fall colors on a deep brown tone-on-tone and it turned out really pretty. I have also discovered some of the decorative stitches on my DSM look really nice with the CT variegated.

Skittl1321

I have a spool of YLI variagated that goes yellow to light orange. I got it as part of a class kit at the quilt store, and it is SO subtle, I kind of feel ripped off. I can see there are two-three colors on the spool, but when quilted, I CANNOT tell any difference at all. I want to at least see color change when I get variegated threads. I was majorly bummed when that was handed to me in the class.

JuanitaBean

I love King Tut variegated thread. I use it on most all my quilt, it changes color every 1 1/2' so it blends good when you have a quilt with a lot of colors in them. or different shades of one color, goes from light to dark like light blue to dark blue.

ShirlR

Very helpful tips on variegated thread. Thanks for posting this subject!

judi wess

Have to admit, I am a thread junky, love to use variegated for giving a little extra pop for simple gift projects. I love bling and often use bright glittery thread for holiday projects.

BettyGee

Agree, but if what you want is a change to enhance the quilting motif then you can't beat it. All depends on what you want in your finished product.

caspharm

You could also try Superior's Lava variegated. It has close changes (1") and it looks good. I know they just came out with a new one - Fantastico (haven't tried it yet). It appears the So Fine also comes variegated, so they have about 4 variegated lines. They also have try me sets.

IAmCatOwned

Blending isn't always the goal. I think it's valuable, however, to post about what the various variegated threads do so that you can get what YOU are looking for. I have been disappointed in the past with variegates that don't have enough punch. I want to SEE THE QUILTING especially if it's a busy background fabric. Other times, of course, I'm just quilting to keep the sandwich together - I want the thread to blend into the background.

chris_quilts

I just finished a Christmas Fabric table runner (15 minute one) that was mostly red, cream, cream and some purple in color. Prettier than it sounds. I used a new to me variegated thread from King Tut that had only red & green colored thread on the spool and I loved it. It blended in so well both on the backing and top fabric that my 20 year old was amazed. I frequently to most of time use a variegated thread for quilting and like the look that you achieve with the variegated. Believe I'm not a world class quilter but find that the variegated blends in well if you use one that has the the main colors in it.
Chris