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Conversational Threads

thread color sample swatches?

BrooksMaine | Posted in Fabric and Trim on

I’m new to this forum, so hi everybody. I moved to rural Maine not too long ago. It’s so beautiful, but my nearest general-sewing shop is 45 minutes away! (There are a couple of quilting shops nearby but they only sell 100% cotton thread.) I need some general-purpose polyester thread (like Mettler Metrosene or Gutermann Sew All Polyester) in several colors, to alter some ready-made garments. Of course it’s nearly impossible to get color-matching right on a computer screen. So, how do those who live far from a fabric store and mostly shop online pick out thread colors?

Does anybody sell sample swatch cards? I have seen these for knitting yarns. You pay $5 or so, and they send you a card with 2-3 inch samples of all the different colors and weights of yarn. Does anybody do this for thread?

 

Replies

  1. fabricholic | | #1

    Hi BrooksMaine,I'll bet it is beautiful in Maine. I haven always wanted to see it. I have a catalog from ThreadArt. It has color pictures of the threads. If you want a catalog, go to threadart.com. There is another thread supply that is good on-line. Help me out, guys. What is the name of the other place? Good luck with your matching your threads to projects and welcome to Gatherings Discussions.Marcy

  2. User avater
    matzahari | | #2

    both Marathon threads and Isacord have actual thread sample cards you can buy. or with a nice first order Marathon may send you one  IF you ask.

  3. Crazy K | | #3

    Welcome, BrooksMaine.......

    Atlanta Thread Co. is another good supplier for thread and other sewing/tailoring notions.  I get my maxi-lock serger thread from them.......prices are good.  They also carry a full line of Gutermann and I believe you can order a color chart. I just checked their site.........the chart is $12.50 and that is refundable with a $100.00 order.  Well, that's a lot of thread but there are times it would be work the $12.50 to be able to match something.  Computer colors just don't work!

    Go to http://www.AtlantaThread.com  then click on thread and somewhere on the screen you should see the color chart spot to order.

    Hope this is helpful info.....

    Kay

  4. Vick | | #4

    I really like Madria for thread. Its a beatifuly made thread. Poly-blend. Perfect for clothing and embroidery design. They will send you a card which has actual thread samples bound on the card. Plus one with all the colors listed. They also sell thread chests which have something like 180 spools of thread. I have one and its very easy to slect just the perfect color.  Plus, looking at all the colors is fun and inspiring for creative projects.

    1. Crazy K | | #5

      I have two Treasure Chests from Madeira.......one is rayon, the other poly.....both are embroidery thread.  They're great for that but I still prefer Gutermann for general sewing.  I know there is a difference but I'm not sure what...........anyone? 

      Regards,

      Kay

      1. Ralphetta | | #6

        I originally started using Gutermann because it was matte and didn't show on certain fabrics I was using.

        1. BrooksMaine | | #7

          Thank you everyone! I will try out Marathon and Atlanta Threads. I do need sewing thread, not machine embroidery thread, which makes things a bit more complicated but it sounds like what I'm looking for is out there. Thank you again!

          Becky

          1. ctirish | | #8

            Hi, http://www.threadart.com is another source for purchasing thread.  Don't forget to come back and tell us who you used and if you like them or not. That way we can be sure to recommend good sites when we find them.  Thank you and happy sewing, jane

          2. BrooksMaine | | #9

            Thank you Jane. I ordered a Gutermann Color Chart ($12) from Atlanta Thread and Supply Company. It hasn't arrived yet - mail takes a while to get here from the South - but I'll be sure to post back when it does.

            Becky

          3. ctirish | | #10

            Sounds good. I have never used them. I wish there was one site that sold all of the different threads manufacturers threads. That way you can compare apples to apples.

            Jane

          4. BrooksMaine | | #11

            My sample card from Atlanda Thread and Supply Company just arrived via UPS. They sent a catalog, the sample card, and a cute little wooden 6-inch ruler.

            The sample card is an A4 size booklet on heavy cardstock. The color samples are printed on polyester-looking fabric glued onto strips of cardboard and tucked into the book.

            It looks like this will work for color matching although they do not have samples of the actual thread weights - just the colors. I can't pull a thread out and lay it down onto the fabric to see how well it "disappears." But I have matched one sample to a shirt I need to alter. I just happen to be driving past a Jo-Ann's today on a trip, so I will stop by and see if I picked out the same color on the card that I would pick out using real thread.

            Thanks everybody,

            Becky

          5. ctirish | | #12

            Thanks for the update... jane

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