Essential guide to using colour in hand embroidery. All about colour theory and how to use it!

[@conniebraaten8945]

I’ve never known how to use a color wheel and totally appreciate your explanation of how to use it! Thank you!

[@debrat777]

This is the best talk about color that I’ve ever heard. Thank you so much!

[@engien460]

It's great you mention Symbolism .... ppl tend forget that Church was main employer for womans in old days and embroidery was desirable trade in womans. My ensestors (grand grand grand-mothers ) was wealthy womans who build orphanages across country devastates by wars and teach womans sew ,embroider and write and read ,carry books and do trade. Numerous changes of boarders in Europe for past 250 years make this places be scattered from Baltic Sea to Black sea. In comunism times ppl tend hide this glorious history as was "undesirable " and "nobility heritage" was deeply uprooted. I am happy that my mother teach me sew ,craft and embroidery too, all maners around tables and rules of dressing up even on a dime. How decorate table and how many pieces of forks and spoons should be there . You video are so well made I just add that for my reference ...I like see the good videos when I am burn our of ideas 💡 it make me have "hello you ... pick your brain 🧠 and get inspired 💥" moments .

[@Sunshine-zm1fx]

I studied art at the University of Buffalo for seven years, and I think I learned more about color theory in this video than in that entire school.

[@catzkeet4860]

Often, if you’re just looking at colours it’s better to look at photos upside down because that way your mind can’t decide “oh this is a picture of*insert subject here* and then you’ll “see” the colours you “know” to be there, rather than the ones that are actually there. It always makes me smile when someone first realises just how many bright colours make up a “white” flower. Seeing a picture in a way that it just looks like shapes, really helps you to “see” colours.

[@michaelduncan6287]

I love listening to your teaching! Best presentation I've seen on the 'color wheel' / and use of color.

[@ilselauwers6009]

Thank you teacher Sarah. Interesting topic and I did listen to you but …. Ho to live the life of ginger cat … heaven 🤗

[@lifeinaditch]

I enjoyed this video. When I was stuck in the hospital without the joy of embroidery or knitting I used color pencils and a coloring book to put different color combos together. It gave me some good ideas and the ugly ones could be thrown out without any loss of time or projects being dismantled.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Great use of your time Pat!

[@pamelamellor9275]

Just happened on your channel, Sarah, and found the videos I’ve looked at so very interesting. Beautifully explained. Thank you so very much. It certainly revived my long lost embroidery interests, and started me off again. Love your work, Ginger cat, and your patient soft spoken tone of voice. God bless.

[@sherryedwards5978]

Thank you for the PDF version. I took notes but often need a translator for my own writing. Great video. 😀

[@ivorybow]

Very helpful! I am planning a vintage style dresser scarf for my granddaughter, and your ideas made me think of looking at photos of gardens in bloom. Thank you!

[@kimburke3189]

Thanks for the explanation of the dye lot numbers and value from the floss companies!! That alone will be valuable for choosing colors!!!

[@lyndamalleau4277]

Excellent presentation,always a pleasure watching your videos. So much useful information.

[@kayrichardson9787]

I appreciate so much your thorough explanation on color. I feel like I have attended an academic lecture! I appreciate it so much that I’m visiting your shop right now.

[@chericeevans9990]

I was having trouble with color selection as well but found The Color Catalog, which was really helpful

[@chericeevans9990]

For those of are interested. I have been working my way through The Color Catalog matching the colors with DMC thread numbers. Thus, I have that info if others need it.

[@i.e.gassett4894]

Clearest explanation of this subject I’ve seen. Love the examples and where to gather them as well as inspiration. Thank you, Sarah.

[@jeannieblender2590]

Wow! I’ve watched sever color videos. Yours is the most informative. Thank you so much.

[@annmroyhughes7277]

Absolutely loved this video! Wonderful explanations and demonstrations. Practical, useful and made absolute sense! Thank you so much Sarah!🌈🎨🪡🧵

[@jenyurikouth4984]

It was so interesting to listen to the different colour combination. Thanks sis. I will try.

[@sheilavanderlaak692]

Wonderful tutorial! Thank you so much for the break down in easily understandable parts. Great tip on the weight of different colors (yellow & purple for example)!

[@rebeccat5738]

Well I now feel thoroughly informed and ready to tackle anything!. Thank you Sarah for all that work making a complicated subject so much easier to understand, answering all the questions, and of course thanks also go to your furry little assistant, who adorned everything in his own lovely neutral shade of ginger that went so beautifully with absolutely everything too xx

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

I think he must be a tertiary shade of orange!

[@rebeccat5738]

@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery That's brilliant!

[@darlenefarmer5921]

Great topic! I use the wheel in quilting. Thank you.

[@fiberjazz]

Thank you for another informative video, Sarah. I also want to say that you look fabulous in this video; you are looking very "buff" and healthy and vibrant! I hope this is a reflection of life treating you well right now!! 😊

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

It's all that colour reflecting off me!!

[@christinegittins5228]

What an informative, interesting blog. Thank you

[@nblmqst1167]

Thank you, thank you, thank you !

[@jmuehlbauer42]

Love the teachings! I am an artist and used to work in a paint store. Undertones was one of the bigger concerns. I would have people take color chips, like the ones you showed from paint stores, isolate the color by way of scissors and placing it on a white sheet of paper to see the undertones. The study of color can take many lifetimes. You did a great job explaining and condensing the complexity of color theory. Cheers!!

[@ronmatthews1738]

Thank you for the video. Another book I have found very useful as a reference is Choosing Colours by Kevin McCloud, presenter of Grand Designs. The book looks at colour theory then gives lots of different palettes and how to use them. The book is aimed primarily at decorating, with details of all the paint colours used, but I have found it invaluable for using colour with fabrics and jewellery.

[@janharvey1024]

Very helpful indeed. I have really understood the colour wheel at last. Beautifully explained, you are a brilliant teacher. Thanks 😊

[@tzunai9783]

thank you for your videos they're so easy to understand and follow along !❤

[@susanvanvleck3957]

While you're explaining the Anchor color card and how to pick colors there I finally understand why there are so many light to dark ranges within a color. It all makes sense now!

[@bbrown8353]

This is the BEST tutorial iI have ever watched on color theory! I quilt, sew clothing, bags, home dec. and I dabble in watercolor and jewelry etc.. I began watching you because embroidery is a craft I left behind at some point and I would like to bring it back into my crafty life. I have loved color since I was a young child. A box of 64 Crayolas ( crayons) and playdough ( air dry clay) was my favorite Christmas present for many years. But to this day I struggle with putting color together or - when it comes to yarn and fabric I can't fid the colors that are in my head. That is why that display of DMC floss makes me want to embroider again. But you have given me new insight into how to put those colors to work. THANK YOU

[@katj7641]

Very nice how you used the black and white video colour to demonstrate the tone!! Thank you! Love your videos, and this one was so helpful and educational as well 🥰

[@annettedepete4314]

Great tutorial on the color wheel. Thanks for sharing 🌴😍💕

[@carolempluckrose4188]

Thank you Sarah, now I get it about colour wheels! Mr Ginger Cat definitely enjoys being on camera, even when he's sleeping! How is Miss Pinky? Question is from my 4 cats who enjoy watching your videos and your cats.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

She's good but they don't get on so if he's around she isn't Carole!

[@jacquelinebergman6431]

Thanks for another great video Sarah! A tip for picking tonal values is to compare a black and white photo of the thread options to a black and white photo of your reference. This will help you see the actual value without being influenced by the hue.

[@VeretenoVids]

For the person wondering how to pick colors for a stitched color wheel, Cosmo Lecien has a color wheel set. I personally found it a useful place to start. (Dropcloth Samplers also has a color wheel pattern where each slice of the color wheel has a different stitch.)

[@Nodoka9]

thank you so much Sarah for this well explained and useful video.

[@maaikepowell6009]

Thank you so much Sarah for another wonderful video! I’ve always been confused with the colour wheel but your explanation really makes sense of it - thank you!

[@CJ-cn1sf]

Hi Sarah, greatly appreciate this video. I have read about colour in books and had trouble trying to understand it. You have explained it so that I can feel comfortable choosing colours for my projects. Awesome information. Thanks again for sharing.

[@tracyleecornish5398]

Hi Sarah Thank You so much for explaining all this and keeping it simple and easy to understand I never understood tonal ranges and now I do which will really help with my colour choices in embroidery as you suggested. Really enjoyable and informative video on colour and colour theory and yes I have always wondered who chooses the Colour of the year? Thanks for sharing.

[@diamond-dee]

this is the first time I have understood how to use the colour wheel. Everything you shared has been so helpful. Thank you.❤

[@conqueringmountscrapmorewi2509]

My word, you do some awesome work, so beautiful! I'm still nursing my cold and resting as much as I can. I very much appreciate that you have shared this video and want to thank you for this. I hope you have a joyful day ahead!

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Hope you feel better soon!

[@mendyviola]

A trick I learned from learning to paint was to take a picture with your phone and change it to lack and white to see the tonal range better. A good painting has some “white” and “black” for depth.

[@jenniferwaugh8796]

Hi Sarah, thank you for another very informative video on colour. I didn't realise there was as much to learn about colour. I think the pdf will be really useful, I will go to your website and download it.

[@laracraft82]

I've just been practicing my blanket stitch and a a bit of Satin stitch using blues, yellow, brown and grey tone. A nice combination thank you for another good video 😁👌 I often take images on nature on my phone camera and always inspires me. That was a gorgeous sunset photo indeed.

[@danisehetland3378]

Wow, what an interesting and useful video! I’m looking forward to seeing your pieces. The one with the agate was so beautiful - the colors, the different stitches, the background. Many thanks, Sarah, and chin scratches to your co-star! 😸

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

He was allowed a Dreamie Danise...😁

[@shakeelkhan-zi6xv]

Your guidance is precious ❤

[@christineandrews1510]

Really useful and informative video Sarah, trying to get colour theory into your head from books is very difficult, you made it much easier to understand, very well done x

[@2425Megan]

Thank you Sarah…excellent video…!

[@jennbechtel]

I really enjoyed this presentation! Even though I’ve been an artist and designer for many years, you touched on some concepts that are new to me with regards to the quantity of a color based on reflective properties. (Was I sleeping through that part of my art education?! ) Delighted by your informative video!

[@estellelodde6880]

Fantastic video, I struggle with colour so this helps lots.

[@theagraceful]

Great video! So very helpful, as always.

[@whoolawoop6817]

Thank you so much for this very helpful video on colour in embroidery! Just what I needed! Only one tiny correction... As I learned in a workshop recently with professional trainers in a technical school for painters the tertiary colours aren't the ones between primary and secondary, but in fact the secondary colours themselves mixed together... So actually three different shades of brown...

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Yes that's correct, in embroidery though when you can't 'mix' the colours you have to adapt your language!

[@MADGuy248]

Wonderful video. It reminds of how my previous painting teachers taught colour theory, and I love how you apply the ideas into practicing embroidery. It definitely helps a lot. Cheers!

[@tamuna.bolkvadze]

Very interesting. Will be coming back to this video again and again as colour mixing is hard! Thank you Sarah! ❤️❤️

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

I find it hard too, you aren't alone Tamuna!

[@ireneoakley6259]

A very helpful tutorial, thank you I will definetly use a colour wheel.x

[@flamegremlin5918]

10 outta 10 will recomend! thank you again for another informitive video!! you make this embroidery thing easy 🙂

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Easy peasy...:D

[@rootsrainyarns8017]

This was an excellent video, thank you

[@MamaEuny]

Thank you so much for this video on color! I lead a group of ladies at my church in making vestments and other liturgical projects. We were really struggling to complete an embroidered piece because choosing the correct colors seemed to stop us cold. Every sample we tried was just plain awful, until we got a better grasp of the colors. Thanks to your explanations we were able to finish our embroidery and make it into a chasuble for our new priest. I would like to send you a picture if that's okay. I'm so proud of our group's effort!

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Well done Eunice! Yes please do send a picture, email it to me at [e-mail]

[@engien460]

I use colour cards for filing cabinets with documents hahaha it's look so nice I just want go and do work hahaha

[@jenniferholey]

Thank you so much for this video. It was really helpful. And thanks for answering my question. ☺️To not overthink it as you said is probably a very good idea. 😅

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Easier said than done Jennifer (from someone who probably overthinks things!)

[@ateliervicolon6]

Very helpful video, thank you Sarah 🥰

[@ElveeKaye]

Sarah: Here's a video about color theory. Me, when making anything: These colors look good together, I'll use those. 😄 Seriously, though, this is very interesting. I like your color palette made with embroidery floss.

[@elainet5870]

Very informative! I do find myself checking out the color wheel from time to time, especially if I have an odd colored thread or fabric to see what I see what other colors might go well with it. 😃

[@beckymeacham6223]

Thank you! Great tutorial!

[@ggafs5160]

thank you sarah!

[@maviswhiterabbit9027]

so beautiful

[@heden1460]

This was an excellent tutorial. Thank you. I have a pattern that uses only four colors so I thought I might be brave and change them. I am afraid to do so. The instruction color is for four blues, but they give color conversions for four reds or four grays as well. I want to use either 4 purples, or 4 greens, something like an emerald green. I think done in turquoise it could look nice too. I'm hoping I explained that okay. The pattern is called Granita by the Fat Quarter Shop. I wasn't sure how to go about changing the colors, but the video was very helpful. I have a DMC color chart I will look at. I also finished an embroidery pattern because I wanted to practice the satin stitch using the tips you gave on keeping angles correct. I think things turned out a lot better, although the angle of the leaves still tended to straighten out at the bottom of the leaves. There is also grass in the picture. I'm not sure how I did on the grass. I thought I might send you a picture if that would be okay.

[@myu1977]

Me and my ginger cat are watching. :)

[@alexanderfurbush5516]

very beautiful

[@Ladythyme]

Brilliant!

[@claudiaforrest6669]

Awesome video!

[@Loki-and-Thor]

Do you have any tips on removing cat hair from both a work in progress and the finished piece? Tweezers take forever and the sticky hair/lint removers don’t always get all the hair. Either option does worry me as I am a beginner and my tension is not always the same on my stitches so I could mess things up with pulling in the wrong place. Any and all tips would be greatly appreciated as I am currently thinking of adding a label that says 99% cotton 1% cat hair!

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Oh dear Bonnie! Just use a piece of sticky tape wrapped around your fingers to lift off the hairs but I think the best solution is to try and keep the cats off your work!

[@surekhasrivastava1826]

Which color thread will look good on light purple cotton fabric for hand embroidery?

[@helenreidt3315]

Thanks Sarah, very helpful. Unfortunately I still can't get onto the Community here, so I'm wondering..can you put these videos for members onto your website please.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

If you click your members page button you should be able to see them there Helen. Alternatively, we are now on Patreon so you could cancel your YT membership and join us on there?

[@rizwanazhari1702]

Mam, please tell me which colors will make the dark green colour.

[@LoveMusic-pd5iz]

What is the brand of the color wheel? It answers so many color questions in such a handy small space.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Just Google colour wheel and you will find one

[@LoveMusic-pd5iz]

@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery Silly me, that's what I should have done in the first place. I so appreciated the details offered on the specific color wheel you demonstrated with, that I searched and - I found it! Thanks for your reply.

[@christinafidance340]

I love rainbows so much that I really enjoy making pride items. I’m straight, but I have always really enjoyed rainbows. 😂 Plus, it’s usually so difficult for me to choose colors, that it just makes sense for me to just use them all!

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Rainbows symbolise many different things Christina, hope and new beginnings amongst them and we all remember how magical they were from our childhoods!

[@konulaslan]

*22-ci bəyənmə 👍👍👍 məndən.* Thank you so much 🌹🌹🌹 I have a request ( I don't exactly remember whether you shared this information or not, but still ask) : can you make a video about what type of thread should we use depending on the fabric? Because several times I noticed that when I do embroidery with nylon silk thread on a stretchable fabric my thread pops out. I'd be grateful if you answered my question. Thanks in advance. Have a lovely day/evening/night. 20.05.2022, 19:11

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

See my '10 threads, one stitch' video, my video about fabrics for embroidery and my sampling video Konul!

[@JuaniqueVerde]

Hey! I just started but what style is the embroidery floss? Like, what is this stitch (?) you used to put the floss on a palette?

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

I made the pallette by twisting a cord out of the thread, curling it up then gluing it on!

[@JuaniqueVerde]

@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery genius! Thank you!

[@gerileewhite3590]

I love this lecture but where I am confused is how to use the DMC color card. There are so many column and pages but there are red or orange or greens and blues in vastly different columns . I am confused should I use colors from different columns or should I only pick ones on the same page? I am mostly looking at thread painting and blending. Could you please explain how to use the DMC color floss book?

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

I think I did cover this in the video gerilee but I'll try and explain a bit more! Also check out my Silk shaded Pansy videos for more on colour in silk shading.The colours in the diferent columns are different dye lots, so a blue dye lot or a blue/green dyelot for example. The colours within the same section are lights and darks of that particular blue dye lot. Pick from the same section if you want your colours to blend together nicely from light to dark

[@gerileewhite3590]

@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery thank you so much for claritfying . This helpes immensely !

[@marianneknapp4846]

I always wonder what is the complimentary color of Rosegold (lilac pink mauve copper& lavender tonal yarn 1 skein (1 Hunter green 2 Teal 3 Darkest Lavender? Or is it all 3 colors with the Rosegold many times my copper is metallic I get lost Thank you Kindly ❤

[@marykayryan7891]

I have some questions. I am a member through KZbin, but not sure how to contact you. Questions are: Is there a difference that matters between machine embroidery thread and regular stranded cotton? Have you head of the company UMC which seems to be machine embroidery thread. Not sure. I inherited a lot of it. I hope I can use it all in hand embroidery. Will DMC color chart work for only their products? I assume so. Thanks. I've gotten to the point where I am listening to your videos for the second time. Love them and your work.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

You can use machine embroidery thread for hand embroidery Mary but it is much finer than hand so it will come out with very fine and delicate stitches. I suggest getting some hand embroidery threads as well to see the difference. You can add the machine threads to the hand ones also for different effects!

[@marykayryan7891]

@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery As I will be working in miniature these fine threads may turn out to be just the thing. Thank you so much for this and everything you give us.

[@tealkerberus748]

Adding white to red doesn't change its hue. It changes our perception of it, and the name we apply to it, but these are cultural overlays, not the actual hue of the pigment or light.

[@dootchan]

Ginger Cat doesn't like circus posters.