To make my stitched drawings I use rayon embroidery thread and now have a collection of approximately 100 colours. However, this vast collection of colours are still not perfect for my needs and just like an artist who may use paint, pencils or pastels, I have to manipulate my threads so that I can achieve a realistic finish that will cause a discussion about the work.
![reels thread](https://julieheaton.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/reels-thread.jpg)
After carefully studying the colours in the image, I choose 2 different threads, one for the top and one for the bottom. With my selected colours on the machine, I then play with the tension so that I can alter how much of the bottom thread comes through to the surface, allowing the correct tone. Whilst colours may appear solid, they never are and a much better result is achieved through this process.
Before I use the colour on the work, I test the mix of threads with altered tensions on a spare piece of dissolvable fabric stretched in a hoop.
![colour threads](https://julieheaton.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/colour-threads-e1497806331950.jpg?w=350)
I will never get true to life colours with threads but with this technique, I can get as close as I need to to make the image work.
![lady and pushchair photo](https://julieheaton.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/lady-and-pushchair-photo.jpg)
![lady pushchair thread](https://julieheaton.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/lady-pushchair-thread.jpg)