6 Tips for Color Matching Thread to Fabric

If you're new to sewing, you may wonder...How to match the thread to fabric? Do I have to purchase an identical colour for each sewing project? Because it isn't easy to match the colour of your thread with the fabric. Fortunately, in most cases it is not necessary to match the color of thread to the fabric.

I recently had a great discussion on Etsy about choosing shades that be matched to the fabric of you stitching project.There are always a bit of trial and error required however, here are a couple of tips I've learned in my journey of sewing.

If you can't find your thread locally, and must you shop on the internet? Choose from a variety of grey (light medium and darker) and neutrals such as beige off-white, navy black, etc. They are a part of different fabrics than you'd imagine! If you find yourself using the same color more frequently than the other colors then you could purchase an extra spool and save cash in the end. This applies to serger cones as well!

But make an educated decision. Take a look at your wardrobe (if you sew clothing to yourself) and then look over your most loved colors. Are they light, dark or bright? For instance: If you don't own anything that is black or white in your closet, you're likely not going to be sewing with them often.

Get more infomation about: How to be suscees full in clothing industry 

It is possible to use them for construction threads (to sew a side seam) and often to topstitch, particularly on fabrics with patterns. The color that the thread has is typically the most noticeable for buttonholes. you could try a test buttonhole to check whether it's a good match.

Select a thread lighter than the fabric you're using, they tend to blend better than lighter ones.

Use a small sample of fabric while you shop for threads. I would put small swatches of fabric into the small pocket at the rear of my planner, so I would carry them on hand when I was out shopping for thread, other fabrics , or ideas.

If you have several choices from your collection of thread first take a thread from the spool , then place it on the fabric. Then squint and determine which one blends the best. If you are unsure, make a row of stitches from each one so you can evaluate the two.

Choose contrasted top stitching. This is a good idea but each wobble of your work will be noticed.

For patterns, choose one that is closest to the color that is most noticeable or is the colour of the background. In most cases, grey is also a good choice.

Keep in mind that with the majority of sewing projects, you're moving about and nobody will even know that the fit isn't flawless. ;)

A few examples

In the photos below, you will notice that although a spool of thread may appear different to the fabric when you pull it out of one of the threads, they will appear to disappear. Always try several threads, even if they aren't compatible while in the spool.

Blue fabric constructed out of blue and white threads. So which color should you choose? I chose gray colored thread that blends really well.

The pattern I chose for my fabric was picked pink that doesn't go with the predominant offwhite base but I love the way they appear together.

To stitch the top of this particular one, I didn't find a fabric that match the other colors , so I chose the darker and muted red. It's apparent from a distance but while wearing it, I do not notice any difference.

If you're sewing and you don't have the perfect match I'd suggest you explore a few different shades initially may not seem like the perfect match.