There is nothing more frustrating than working on a project and realizing you are going to run out of thread. It happens to the best of us! Learn all about dye lots in my latest blog post.
There is nothing more frustrating than working on a project and realizing you are going to run out of thread. It happens to the best of us! It can be hard to predict how much thread you will need for a project because no two stitchers will use the exact same amount. Various factors like how long your waste knot is and how much thread you stitch down to on a strand contribute to the difference! Where this becomes problematic is if you are stitching a particularly large area of canvas (like a background) and run out of thread and can't match the dye lot.
What exactly is a dye lot?
Needlepoint thread dye lots refer to the batch of threads dyed together in one production run. Because dyes can vary in intensity or color between batches, even if the color appears similar, threads from different dye lots may differ slightly in shade. This is particularly important for needlepoint projects where consistent color is essential, as small differences in color can become noticeable across a larger area of stitching.
You need to pay particular attention to dye lots on your natural fibers like silks, wool silk blends and wools. Think Planet Earth, Vineyard Silk, and Silk and Ivory.
What can you do about it?
When purchasing needlepoint thread, always check your labels and buy all the thread you’ll need for large areas of color on your project from the same dye lot. This ensures uniformity across those color areas. I always say, buy more thread than you think you need- particularly for big backgrounds! It's far better to spend an extra $10-15 than to realize you have run out and can't match your dye lot.
Always, always save your tags! This will help your LNS match the color and the dye lot (if applicable) if you do run out. If you need more thread later on, check the dye lot number on the new skeins and compare them to your existing thread before using them together. Some suppliers may have slight differences in their dyeing process, which can make even similar colors appear mismatched.
What if I run out and can't find the same dye lot?
If you run out of thread and can't find the same dye lot, go into your LNS and compare colors in person.
You can also try calling around different needlepoint shops and seeing if they happen to have your dye lot in stock. Sometimes, if it hasn't been too long- you might get lucky!
If all else fails, you can try to "blend" the threads if the color difference is subtle. Alternate between the two dye lots every few stitches or rows to reduce the contrast between them. This helps to achieve a smoother transition and makes the color shift less noticeable, ensuring a more uniform overall look.
I hope these tips help you out in a dye lot pinch!
Have you ever had this problem? Tell me about it in the comments.
-Jinny xo
