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So, I got a pattern I ordered online recently, and it is adorable. But the designer used tons of color changes in the background, all of a similar color (off-white/ecru/etc). I really hate stitching those areas because I get lost in the pattern and I don't think the slight differences in colors are worth all the extra effort. To solve this dilemma, I'm thinking of finding a variegated thread to use in that area. I know the effects will be a little different, but I'm betting it won't make that much difference to the eye in the end.

Is this cheating? Any thoughts? Thank you!

I definitely do NOT think it is cheating, but rather it is you adapting it to your own liking. I've been known to do that myself, and have made color changes in many of my projects. I say that it should be what you feel best about doing, after all, stitching is supposed to be fun!!

I think that is a good idea! I know DMC has an white/off white/ecru variegated thread

Cheating? What is this cheating I hear you speak of? And I know just the thread (potentially): Anchor 1302 (Marble) also comes in pearl threads. Dunno if DMC have something as subtle... let me look... DMC 4150 might do...

karenstitches wrote:Is this cheating? Any thoughts?

Cheating?? NO
I think its BRILLIANT

Confetti with those colors would make me go bonkers

Sounds like an elegant solution to an aggravating problem.

Thanks, everyone! And thanks for the thread recommendations. I thought it was kind of clever myself, but then again I get hung up on doing things "the right way." Now I know other knowledgeable stitchers like the idea too!

I think it is a wonderful idea. I love using variegated threads and don't really have much of a chance. Which is one reason why I am so excited about the Hardanger SAL. The great thing about cross stitch is that what you like and what you want to do is right for you.

Carole

I concur with all of the above!!!!!!

I think it's a very sensible thing to do -- great idea!

Heck NO, it's NOT cheating. I TOTALLY agree with the others. Do as you LIKE.
If changing a thread color to ur liking in a project to get thru sometimes BORING areas, I'm ALL for it. I haven't done many angels and such, but WHEN I do them, I make the wings in 1/2 stitches. I did a Angel of Light for my older sis last Christmas, 11x 14 pic, and I did BOTH wings in 1/2 stitches. The results had the effect of "AIRINESS" TO THE WINGS.On the In Loving Memory Remembrances that I am doing now, I have 2 small angels, and I am making the wings the same way, in 1/2 stitches.
Hind sight when doing the wings, made me think of a baby remembrance I did for a co-worker a few years back. It was a bassinet with LOTS of lace. I did ALL the lace in FULL stitches, . It seemed to take FOREVER in getting it done. I think it would had looked AWESOME, IF I had done the lace in 1/2 stitches, AFTER seeing what EFFECT the wings made in the Angel of Light pic.
As the baby's remembrances started to come in, I found a pattern, a wicker basket weave baby carriage, with LITTLE lace, and I did the carriage and lace in 1/2 stitches.. It turned out GREAT when finished.
Also when putting names and other info on baby, wedding remembrances, I CHANGE the STYLE of lettering and colors to what I LIKE. I will also CHANGE the baby pattern colors to meet colors for a girl or boy. If I see that the project doesn't have MUCH detailing, I'll ADD to it.
As someone has said on here, there is NO BOUNDARIES in this craft. It's up to the INDIVIDUAL as to WHAT can be done .


HAPPY STITCHING IN STITCHING LAND

Way to go Karen. Nothing is worse than driving yourself mad with confetti when variegated threads do the job as well and sometimes better.

No way is it cheating! It's an absolutely fantastic idea! I'll have to remember that one.

I have thought of doing something like this for backgrounds in HAED patterns! Especially when there are two or three colors that are very similar in color.

Great minds just think a like far from cheating! hehe

If I steal your scathingly brilliant idea, is that cheating?

karenstitches wrote: I thought it was kind of clever myself,

Precisely 8}

Defiantly Not cheating!! Go for it!!

I've done the same myself over grassy/sky areas!

One thing though
.....the way that the variegated thread is dyed you can get a stripey effect so it might be wise to stitch bits in small areas to get a more random effect! You'll get to know how to use the thread colours as you go along.

I did this recently with the dragon I stitched up for my friend. The chest was alternating colors anywhere from 1-3 stitches and it was not worth the pain of looking at the chart constantly. I found that using the loop method/folding the strand in half added a blended effect on top of the variation and just made it all the more beautiful.

geekishly wrote:I did this recently with the dragon I stitched up for my friend. The chest was alternating colors anywhere from 1-3 stitches and it was not worth the pain of looking at the chart constantly. I found that using the loop method/folding the strand in half added a blended effect on top of the variation and just made it all the more beautiful.

Now that's a Really Good Idea!!

No stripes or blocks of colour!!

There was still a bit of that, but it was more subtle than it would have otherwise been.