There are some people for whom choosing colors for their next embroidery or cross stitch project is their favorite part of the process. And for many others, this part of the process can be the most anxiety inducing. Will my embroidery thread colors look good together? Will the design look muddy, or will it pop? How do I match the colors to the design I have in my head, or the photo I’m inspired from? What if I buy the wrong colors and hate it?

In our shop, we hear from many customers choosing from our 119 colors of Array wool thread, that they just don’t feel confident choosing colors that will go well together. So, we set out to solve that problem, and help stitchers approach color with confidence.

The key to developing this confidence is understanding color theory - but don’t despair if that word makes you squirm! We designed our card deck Palette Scout to make learning about color theory fun and intuitive for everyone. It’s a deck of 180 colors and shades, with a unique method of repeating shapes around the color wheel that make it easy to mix and match colors together. In this blog post, we’ll share the basics of color theory with embroidery thread, and how to choose thread colors that look great together. We’ll be sharing examples from Palette Scout along the way, so if you have a Palette Scout deck we encourage you to take it out and recreate the examples while you are reading through the post. You can check out our Palette Scout Color Matching Guides to see how the Palette Scout deck matches to Array wool thread and DMC embroidery floss.

The Color Wheel for Embroidery

The color wheel is a circular diagram that organizes colors in a structured way based on their relationships to each other. A color wheel consists of primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.

Primary colors are the foundational colors that all other colors are made from. In traditional color theory, the primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. These colors cannot be created by mixing other colors together.

Secondary colors are created by mixing equal parts of two primary colors. The secondary colors are green (mixing blue and yellow), orange (mixing red and yellow), and purple (mixing red and blue).

Tertiary colors are colors formed by mixing a primary color with a neighboring secondary color. For example, mixing blue with purple creates a blue purple color, and mixing red with orange creates a red-orange color. 

Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. Values are crucial for creating depth and contrast in color palettes of embroidery thread. If you choose all colors with a similar value, even if they are different hues, they will look muddy and blend together. Keep in mind that you also need value contrast between your thread and the fabric. 

A shade is created by adding black to a pure hue, resulting in a darker version of the original color. A tint is created by adding white to a pure hue, resulting in a lighter version of the original color.

A tone is created by adding black and white (ie: gray) to a pure hue, resulting in a toned down, less saturated version of the original color. 

Color Palette Types in Embroidery Thread

The color wheel is the primary tool for understanding color relationships. Colors that are positioned close to each other on the color wheel, called analogous colors, often harmonize well together because they share similar undertones and create a smooth transition. On the other hand, colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel, called complementary colors, provide strong contrast and can create vibrant and dynamic compositions. In this section, we are going to make five different types of color palettes with embroidery thread.

How to Make a Monochromatic Color Palette With Embroidery Thread 

Monochromatic color palettes consist of different shades and tints of a single hue. By varying the lightness and darkness of the color, monochromatic palettes create a harmonious and visually cohesive look. Monochromatic palettes offer a sense of unity and simplicity, perfect for creating elegant and understated compositions.

Don’t forget that if you want to add a bit more complexity or sophistication to your palette by incorporating some tones. 

What is a Complementary Color Palette?

Complementary color palettes are made of colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. The high contrast between these colors creates a dynamic and visually striking effect. Complementary palettes are perfect for making elements stand out and grab attention. 

What is an Analogous Color Palette?

Analogous color palettes are made of colors that sit close to each other on the color wheel, creating a smooth and flowing transition between colors. Analogous palettes are pleasing to the eye and evoke a sense of harmony and coherence. They are commonly used in nature-inspired designs, where the soft blending of colors mimics the subtle gradations found in the natural world.

What is a Split Complement Color Palette?

Split complement palettes are a variation of the complementary palette. Instead of selecting one color and its direct complement, split complements involve choosing one color and the two colors adjacent to its complement. This results in a palette with a strong visual contrast, while also offering a wider range of colors to work with. Split complement schemes strike a balance between harmony and dynamism.

What is a Triadic Color Palette?

Triadic color palettes are formed by selecting three colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel, creating a triangle. These palettes offer a balanced combination of colors while still providing enough contrast to create visual interest. They are popular choices for creating vibrant and dynamic designs, where multiple colors work together harmoniously to create a cohesive palette.

Stitch Confidently with Color

If choosing thread colors has made you nervous in the past, we hope this helped! We designed Palette Scout to make understanding color theory simple and fun for makers of all types. You can purchase your own deck, along with a digital download matching Palette Scout colors to DMC embroidery thread and Array wool thread, here.