The Dyelot Problem

Updated May 3, 2022.

Sometimes I think threads are always packaged in the wrong amounts. Either there is WAY too much or just not quite enough.

You run out. The new thread is not the same dye lot. Or, as happened to me all too often, you don’t want to buy more and the closest color is slightly different.

Since I try to use up threads, I’m not about to buy more to finish up.

This happens to all of us, more often than we would like, so what do you do? The key is to plan. Then if the dyelots are the same you’re fine but if the dyelots differ, the result still looks good.

If you haven’t started using the thread yet, you can plan for the different dyelots by making stripes. I just love this damask effect.

If the dyelots aren’t too different and aren’t used in areas right next to each other, put the different dyelots in different areas. It’s the clear line that accentuates the differences, if another color divides it you won’t see.

Make a textured stitch, Jacquard for example, and use one dyelot for the Byzantine and the other dyelot for the Tent Stitches. The change in stitches will make the color change look as if it is from the stitch. By using the two dyelots for different parts of the stitch you create a great effect.

But what if you have started to stitch? Then you stop stitching immediately and start blending the two dyelots of colors. Depending on the amount of thread you have and the amount of stitching you need to do, replace one or more threads with the second color. Begin with replacing only a single thread and place it closest to the original stitching. Then gradually replace more and more threads until you are only using the replacement color.

That works fine if the thread is stranded, but what if it is not? Do the same process but with stitches. Start by leaving out only occasional stitches, then leave out more and more until only An occasional stitch is in the original thread. Fill in the holes with the second thread.

Why does this work? Your eye will blend the two colors making a seamless transition between them, like a gradient tint.