Tutorial: Thread Mini-Samplers, Part Two

Here's the second post in Julie's mini series including a rather cool looking mini sampler. Find the first post in the series right here.

When I left you last week, you were (I hope!) stitching up your first thread mini-sampler and discovering what a difference a few strands can make. This week, we’ll focus on color.

Gradient (or ombre) color-shifting is everywhere right now: from clothing to quilting fabric to yarns, it’s a very popular look. And why not! A simple shift from light to dark adds wonderful depth and interest to a project.

Given the sheer volume of shades we have to choose from in our embroidery threads, gradients are an extremely easy look to achieve in stitches. A gradient is especially effective with a simple fill stitch, which allows the color shift to speak for itself.

This second thread mini-sampler uses six shades of DMC stranded cotton and a coordinating backing fabric. Here’s what you’ll need:

• One piece of fabric, about 9” x 10” / 23 cm x 25 cm; I used a print from Heirloom Home Decor by Joel Dewberry.
• Printed mini-sampler pattern (download link below).
• 1 skein each of six DMC stranded cotton in shades that match your fabric; I used #955, #913, #911, #700, #986, #500.
• A non-permanent fabric pen.
• 4” x 6” / 10 cm x 15 cm photo frame, minus glass (optional).

Thread Mini-Sampler Pattern (PDF)

As with the first mini-sampler, center and trace the pattern onto your fabric. If you need a reminder about working the Star Filling Stitch, here’s a simple step-by-step:

(See last week’s post for further explanation if needed.)

You can stitch this sampler up in whatever thread thickness you prefer to work with; if you made the first mini-sampler, choose whichever number of strands you liked best from that project. I worked my mini-sampler in 3 strands throughout.

Arrange your threads from lightest to darkest. If you’re using greens like I have, stitch the first block in #955, then work each block one shade darker in the following order:

If you’re not a big fan of green, fabric and thread combos are not difficult to pick out. Start by picking a backing fabric and choose a thread that matches your fabric perfectly - this will be your lightest shade. Then choose five more threads that get gradually darker. DMC stranded cotton tends to work in groups of at least three color numbers; starting with your first color, look at the color numbers that surround it. From there, it will be easy to combine six shades. If you happen to have a DMC color card, it’s a piece of cake.

Here’s a few other combinations I’ve put together:

Once you’ve finished stitching, remove your fabric markings and frame or use your mini-sampler in whatever way you like! They might make nice book covers, or could be used as the front of a gadget cozy. I hope playing with colors in this little sampler will help inspire you to experiment with shading and gradients in your own projects.

If you make a mini-sampler, we’d love to see it in the &Stitches Flickr Pool. I’ll be back next week with one last way to work this same pattern!