A step-by-step guide for embroidery makers using DMC floss + the Palette Scout deck

Color is one of the most fun parts of embroidery, but also the most intimidating. Whether you're stitching a detailed floral piece or a playful pattern for clothing, it can be tricky to go from inspiration to a finished palette you actually want to stitch with.

That’s where Palette Scout shines. In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how I used it to plan a recent embroidery project—from inspiration to palette selection, sketching, and stitching. This is a perfect process whether you’re embroidering on garments, in hoops, or just experimenting with thread on scraps.

Let’s dive in.

What is Palette Scout?

Palette Scout is a deck of 180 color cards designed for artists and makers. It includes a simple, intuitive system for mixing and matching cards into harmonious color palettes—ideal for embroidery projects.

Whether you’re new to color or just want to explore beyond your usual go-to combos, Palette Scout helps you skip the stress of choosing the “right” thread colors and start stitching confidently. 

We also have a downloadable Color Match Guide matching every color in the Palette Scout deck to DMC threads, so you can choose your palette and immediately start stitching. 

Step-by-Step: Choosing Embroidery Colors with Palette  Scout

Step 1: Gather Inspiration

Before choosing colors, I spent some time looking for inspiration. I knew I wanted to embroider something floral, but I wasn’t drawn to a specific flower. Then it hit me: I spend my summers picking berries with my family, and embroidering blackberries felt like a natural choice.

Not every project starts with a perfect visual. Sometimes it's a feeling, a memory, or a personal ritual—those are great starting points for embroidery, too.

Step 2: Build a Color Palette with Palette Scout

I flipped through my Palette Scout deck while thinking about the different types of berries I love: golden raspberries and blackberries. I ended up creating two color palettes, one for each berry. I couldn’t decide, so I got the thread for both! In the end, I chose to go with the blackberry-inspired palette.

I used the Palette Scout deck to pick out a lovely split complement palette inspired by blackberries, with deep reds and greens and a touch of soft blue. 

Here’s the final Palette Scout combination I landed on:

• Ocean 4 tone

• Amber 5 tone (not part of the official harmony, but it worked!)

• Garnet 4

• Garnet 3 tone

• Garnet 1

• Quetzal 1 tone

• Quetzal 2 tone

• Quetzal 4 tone

Step 3: Sketch the Design

I didn’t expect to enjoy this part as much as I did! Looking closely at real blackberry plants gave me great ideas for structure and details. Even if your drawing skills are simple, a quick sketch helps you understand the forms before you start stitching.

Step 4: Match Colors to DMC Floss

Once I had my palette, I took it to Michaels and picked up matching DMC thread. Our downloadable Color Match Guide for DMC thread made this quick and easy. 

Tip: Even if you can’t get a perfect match, or if you’re picking from your stash instead of at a store, choosing threads that feel close will still keep your harmony strong. 

Step 5: Embroider!

This part was fun and relaxed. I did end up re-stitching the first few berries—I switched from 3 strands of floss to all 6 for the ripe blackberries, which made the French knots bigger and more dimensional (and more realistic!).

I also toned down the amount of light pink used in the unripe berries on the second try. A little goes a long way—especially with accent colors.

Step 6: Finish and Document Your Palette

When the embroidery was done, I saved the Palette Scout cards I used and made notes for future projects. I find that once you land on a palette you love, you’ll want to use it again (or remix it) for other work.

FAQ: Embroidery + Palette Scout

Can I use Palette Scout if I only have a few colors?

Yes! Start by finding the closest matches between your threads and the Palette Scout deck. Even if it’s not exact, it will help you discover color harmonies that feel cohesive—and might inspire what to buy next.

I’m not confident with color theory. Will this be too hard?

Not at all. Palette Scout is designed to work even if you don’t know anything about color theory. Just start with a color you like, flip the card to see suggested combinations, and go from there. You’ll be choosing beautiful palettes within minutes.

Can I break the rules and go off-palette?

Absolutely. This project is a great example—I added Amber 5 tone even though it wasn’t technically part of the “official” harmony. Sometimes your eye or your materials will lead you to a color that just works. Trust it.

Can I use Palette Scout for embroidery on clothing?

Yes! Whether you’re stitching onto hoops, tote bags, denim jackets, or dresses, Palette Scout helps you choose colors that feel intentional and balanced for your surface. Just be sure to test your design and thread thickness on a scrap if possible.

Ready to Try It Yourself?

If you’re an embroidery artist—or just embroidery-curious—Palette Scout is a beautiful, flexible tool to add to your creative process. Whether you’re planning a complex floral motif or just experimenting with stitches, choosing colors is easier (and way more fun) with a visual guide.

Let us know what you make by tagging #palettescout or #zolliemakes!