What Day Is It?

Today’s stitch is a fun little open stitch from our friend, Ruth Schmuff. In all honesty, I don’t know what I like more…the stitch itself or just the very happy color combo on the piece. I hope this little burst of color helps brighten your indoor day, wherever that may be.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

The stitch uses two plies of Soie D'Alger (black lines) for a background on a sweet topiary. I would love to see this stitch on a large window with a lightweight metallic such as Bijoux or a Kreinik Metallic. I think it might be fun to do the single straight stitches in a different color or finish (or both) for a roof or floor.

While the stitched sample is a solid color, please remember how well open stitches enhance any beautiful shading that many contemporary canvases have.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com has a book for you! Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a contemporary how-to collection of more than 250 stitches for stitchers regardless of skill level. The book includes updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, all-new stitches, and a chapter on the basics of needlepoint. For more information, visit here. My favorite needlepoint retailers that carry the book can be found here.

whimsicalstitch.com also sells Stitch Guides and Stitch Concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, Sandra Gilmore, Purple Palm, Maggie, and Penny MacLeod, and many more. Click here to see the newest guides and click here to see the entire collection.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Please enjoy! Have a wonderful #whimsicalwednesday!

A Note about Diagrams
I use color in diagrams to make them as clear as possible.  The primary function of different colored lines is to illustrate a stitch sequence.  For example, layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order.  They can also provide ideas on how to integrate additional threads (one line for each color).  Or, you can use the same thread for all color lines.  That's where I encourage you to use your imagination for the space you are stitching!

Talking to Myself

I’m talking to myself (and to inanimate objects) a lot more than usual these days. And I think this cat is telling me how pleased it is with the choice of stitch and threads we used for its fur.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

The stitch uses Glisten (gray lines) and Fyre Werks (turquoise lines) on a cat’s face from Este MacLeod’s Snowy. I flipped the stitch 90° for the legs (not shown).

As you may know, I’m a fan of plain needlepoint for all faces…human, animal, or otherwise. (This is needlepoint; we know there are faces other than human or animal.) However, this cat screamed for something more than basketweave as it was an abstract cat and a focal point for the project.

This stitch is great for clothing, as it adds direction and interest to an area. It will make a very handsome coat or pants, using Very Velvet (gray lines) and Flair (turquoise lines) in vertical columns. Vertical columns would also lend themselves very well for a tree trunk with two shades of Rainbow Linen (one shade for gray lines and a second shade for the turquoise lines). It would also make a wonderful border around any needlepoint piece.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com has a book for you! Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a contemporary how-to collection of more than 250 stitches for stitchers regardless of skill level. The book includes updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, all-new stitches, and a chapter on the basics of needlepoint. For more information, visit here. My favorite needlepoint retailers that carry the book can be found here.

whimsicalstitch.com also sells Stitch Guides and Stitch Concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, Sandra Gilmore, Purple Palm, Maggie, and Penny MacLeod, and many more. Click here to see the newest guides and click here to see the entire collection.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Please enjoy! Have a wonderful #whimsicalwednesday!

A Note about Diagrams
I use color in diagrams to make them as clear as possible.  The primary function of different colored lines is to illustrate a stitch sequence.  For example, layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order.  They can also provide ideas on how to integrate additional threads (one line for each color).  Or, you can use the same thread for all color lines.  That's where I encourage you to use your imagination for the space you are stitching!

Calling All Stitchers!

Calling all Stitchers! It sounds like a lot of us are using these days to get a lot of stitching done. So, let’s do a show and tell. For the near term future, I’m going to dedicate Sundays to #stitchingsundays with your work using #whimsicalwednesday stitches.

This is a great opportunity to see how the whimsicalstitch community as a whole uses the stitches shared here or in my new book. I am confident there are some wonderful riffs on the whimsicalstitch library that will generate new ideas for anyone to use in your projects. 

To be included, please send the following to mary@whimsicalstitch.com:

1. Stitched Sample Photo: A clear photo of your stitched sample. Ideally, the photo should be high res, straight on so we can see the detail, and clear of those annoying phone shadows (if possible).

2. Threads: The thread(s) you used in the stitch, including brand name (e.g. Soie d’Alger, Splendor, Sundance Beads, Vineyard Silk), ply count (if applicable), and mesh size.

3. Deisgner: Please include the name of the designer (if you know it).

4. Stitch Source: Include a note if the stitch is from my new book and page # for the stitch if you know it.

5. Instagram Handle: If you have an Instagram account, please include your account name so I can tag you!

As an example, the photo on the right is the raw photo I used for yesterday’s #whimsicalwednesday stitched sample. I cropped and resized it to fit into the stitched sample template.

Please send photos of your stitched work and stitch/thread information to me at mary@whimsicalstitch.com.

My plan is to post them on Sundays as part of the #stitchingsunday theme. #whimsicalwednesdays will continue as scheduled.

Please join the fun! Stay safe, wash your hands, practice social distancing, and stitch!

Happy #smallsp...I mean #whimsicalwednesday

You aren’t losing your mind. Today’s stitch is small, but there is a good reason for that. Please read on to understand the why’s.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

The stitched sample is a background on a Funda Scully lidded jar (18-mesh). It alternates tiny diamonds and slightly larger diamonds with a metallic accent inside the larger diamonds. I used Soie D'Alger for all of the diamonds (black lines) and a Kreinik Metallics for the accents (aqua lines). I used three plies of the Soie for the tiny diamonds and two plies of the Soie for the larger diamonds.

This is a wonderful small stitch for a sky, water, clothing…you get the idea. And, yes, it is a small stitch on a Wednesday. I’m not trying to make your head explode. It’s just that I have a new plan for Sundays for the near to mid-term future.

Speaking of said new plan, I need your help! I think we would all love to see how the whimsicalstitch community as a whole uses the stitches shared here or in my new book. I have a feeling there may be some wonderful riffs on the whimsicalstitch library. And this is a great time to do this, as most of us have some time on our hands, so to speak. To be included, please send the following:

1. Stitched Sample Photo: A clear photo of your stitched sample. Ideally, the photo should be high res, straight on so we can see the detail, and clear of those annoying phone shadows (if possible).

2. Threads: The thread(s) you used in the stitch, including brand name (e.g. Soie d’Alger, Splendor, Sundance Beads, Vineyard Silk), ply count (if applicable), and mesh size.

3. Deisgner: Please include the name of the designer (if you know it).

4. Stitch Source: Include a note if the stitch is from my new book and page # for the stitch if you know it.

5. Instagram Handle: If you have an Instagram account, please include your account name so I can tag you!

As an example, the photo on the right is the raw photo I used for today’s stitched sample. I cropped and resized it to fit into the stitched sample template.

Please send photos of your stitched work and stitch/thread information to me at mary@whimsicalstitch.com.

My plan is to post them on Sundays as part of the #stitchingsunday theme. #whimsicalwednesdays will continue as scheduled.

This stitch diagram from above, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com has a book for you! Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a contemporary how-to collection of more than 250 stitches for stitchers regardless of skill level. The book includes updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, all-new stitches, and a chapter on the basics of needlepoint. For more information, visit here.

whimsicalstitch.com also sells Stitch Guides and Stitch Concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, Sandra Gilmore, Purple Palm, Maggie, and Penny MacLeod, and many more. Click here to see the newest guides and click here to see the entire collection.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Please enjoy! Have a wonderful #whimsicalwednesday!

A Note about Diagrams
I use color in diagrams to make them as clear as possible.  The primary function of different colored lines is to illustrate a stitch sequence.  For example, layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order.  They can also provide ideas on how to integrate additional threads (one line for each color).  Or, you can use the same thread for all color lines.  That's where I encourage you to use your imagination for the space you are stitching!

I'm Sensing a Theme

Yes, today’s #stitchingsunday is another angel. I promise it uses a different stitch than the last angel on the most recent #stitchingsunday. :)

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Today’s stitched sample is a skirt from a sweet Melissa Shirley star angel. It uses Petite Silk Lame and Sundance Beads (size 14/15) (on 18-mesh). Click here for the original blog post that includes a couple variations. In addition, this stitch can be found on pages 164 and 165 in my book. (I renamed the stitch to Oblique Diamonds to be consistent with similar stitches in my repertoire.)

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com has a book for you! Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a contemporary how-to collection of more than 250 stitches for stitchers regardless of skill level. The book includes updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, all-new stitches, and a chapter on the basics of needlepoint. For more information, visit here.

whimsicalstitch.com also sells Stitch Guides and Stitch Concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, Sandra Gilmore, Purple Palm, Maggie, and Penny MacLeod, and many more. Click here to see the newest guides and click here to see the entire collection.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Happy #stitchingsunday!

A Note about Diagrams
I use color in diagrams to make them as clear as possible. The primary function of different colored lines is to illustrate a stitch sequence. For example, layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order. They can also provide ideas on how to integrate additional threads (one line for each color). Or, you can use the same thread for all color lines. That's where I encourage you to use your imagination for the space you are stitching!

Blue Skies Ahead

Today’s choice of a blue sky was a complete coincidence. Yet, it’s so appropriate as we need to look forward to the blue skies beyond today’s unknown times. As we all know, needlepoint is a lovely way to keep busy and, quite honestly, distracted from the news.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

This stitch is large yet not in charge because it is such a perfect background stitch. The stitched sample is a beautiful blue sky from Charley Harper’s Puffin. It uses two plies of Soie D’Alger (black lines) with accents using a lightweight Kreinik Metallic. (The accents are not included on the diagram the diagram would be too small if I included enough to illustrate the accent pattern.)

It is also elegant because it is so pretty, yet knows its place is in the background. You could also add a few empty rows between the repeating elements (on the horizontal axis) to create vertical columns.

My small contribution to your new indoor reality is a starter list of stitch resources. They include the whimsicalwednesday Pinterest page, a library of ALL diagrams from this blog. (It’s really great on a smart phone as each diagram fills the screen.) Sheena’s Sweet Stitches also offers a wide variety of great stitch diagrams. Chandail Needlework in Houston has an extensive library in their Stitch of the Month. Meredith Willet recently launched a Stitch of the Day specifically for the quarantine! And, last but never least, needlepoint.com has a page dedicated to learning needlepoint, a wonderful resource for beginners! Designers are sharing their new designs on Facebook and Instagram. Reach out to your favorite needlepoint retailer to order your newest favorite project (as many are enhancing their online and mail order services to help us get through this).

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com has a book for you! Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a contemporary how-to collection of more than 250 stitches for stitchers regardless of skill level. The book includes updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, all-new stitches, and a chapter on the basics of needlepoint. For more information, visit here.

whimsicalstitch.com also sells Stitch Guides and Stitch Concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, Sandra Gilmore, Purple Palm, Maggie, and Penny MacLeod, and many more. Click here to see the newest guides and click here to see the entire collection.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Please enjoy! Have a wonderful #whimsicalwednesday!

A Note about Diagrams
I use color in diagrams to make them as clear as possible.  The primary function of different colored lines is to illustrate a stitch sequence.  For example, layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order.  They can also provide ideas on how to integrate additional threads (one line for each color).  Or, you can use the same thread for all color lines.  That's where I encourage you to use your imagination for the space you are stitching!

Take That, Gray Skies

So. California is drenched and Spring seems so close, yet so far away. I am savoring the bright colors in today’s stitched sample as an anecdote.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

The stitched sample is a pillow from Whimsy Stork and uses three plies of Soie D'Alger (black lines) and Petite Silk Lame (yellow lines). As with all eyelet stitches, to avoid I recommend to stitch from the outer edges to the shared center hole.

This is a great all-purpose and scalable stitch. To illustrate its versatility, a student recently used it on a small dog’s body with Vineyard Silk (black lines) and Silk Lame (yellow lines). (Clearly, it will make a great human coat as well. See what I did there?) Consider leaving out the Cross Stitches for a water stitch with a lightweight Kreinik Metallic.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com has a book for you! Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a contemporary how-to collection of more than 250 stitches for stitchers regardless of skill level. The book includes updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, all-new stitches, and a chapter on the basics of needlepoint. For more information, visit here.

whimsicalstitch.com also sells Stitch Guides and Stitch Concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, Sandra Gilmore, Purple Palm, Maggie, and Penny MacLeod, and many more. Click here to see the newest guides and click here to see the entire collection.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Please enjoy! Have a wonderful #whimsicalwednesday!

A Note about Diagrams
I use color in diagrams to make them as clear as possible.  The primary function of different colored lines is to illustrate a stitch sequence.  For example, layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order.  They can also provide ideas on how to integrate additional threads (one line for each color).  Or, you can use the same thread for all color lines.  That's where I encourage you to use your imagination for the space you are stitching!

Greet Your Day with Color!

There is nothing quite like waking up to a blog post with two fun and bright colors. Oh, and a brand new stitch.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

The stitched sample is a curtain from my new Stitch Concept for Whimsy Stork (from Colors of Praise). It uses two plies of Needlepoint Inc. Silk (black lines) and Petite Silk Lame (turquoise lines).

I selected this stitch for a curtain due to its overt diagonal direction for a curtain. It will make a wonderful body of water with a lightweight Sparkle Braid (black lines) and an overdyed Kreinik Metallic (turquoise lines). I’m looking forward to seeing it as a large tree trunk with Rainbow Linen and Gloriana’s Lorikeet. You may want to consider adding another row or two in between the diagonal trios for a more open look.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com has a book for you! Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a contemporary how-to collection of more than 250 stitches for stitchers regardless of skill level. The book includes updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, all-new stitches, and a chapter on the basics of needlepoint. For more information, visit here.

whimsicalstitch.com also sells Stitch Guides and Stitch Concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, Sandra Gilmore, Purple Palm, Maggie, and Penny MacLeod, and many more. Click here to see the newest guides and click here to see the entire collection.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Please enjoy! Have a wonderful #whimsicalwednesday!

A Note about Diagrams
I use color in diagrams to make them as clear as possible.  The primary function of different colored lines is to illustrate a stitch sequence.  For example, layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order.  They can also provide ideas on how to integrate additional threads (one line for each color).  Or, you can use the same thread for all color lines.  That's where I encourage you to use your imagination for the space you are stitching!

The Original 2 Sisters

Today’s #stitchingsunday comes from one of my favorite pairs of sisters. They’ve been stitching and making me (and a lot of other people at Aristeia) smile and laugh for a very long time and I adore both of them.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Today’s stitched sample is a background on an adorable Rebecca Woods angel ornament. The sisters flipped the stitch 90° (to the right) and used Petite Silk Lame (on 18-mesh). Click here for the original blog post where, coincidentally, the stitched sample uses the same color thread as today’s much better stitched sample.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com has a book for you! Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a contemporary how-to collection of more than 250 stitches for stitchers regardless of skill level. The book includes updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, all-new stitches, and a chapter on the basics of needlepoint. For more information, visit here.

whimsicalstitch.com also sells Stitch Guides and Stitch Concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, Sandra Gilmore, Purple Palm, Maggie, and Penny MacLeod, and many more. Click here to see the newest guides and click here to see the entire collection.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Happy #stitchingsunday!

A Note about Diagrams
I use color in diagrams to make them as clear as possible. The primary function of different colored lines is to illustrate a stitch sequence. For example, layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order. They can also provide ideas on how to integrate additional threads (one line for each color). Or, you can use the same thread for all color lines. That's where I encourage you to use your imagination for the space you are stitching!

Is it Spring Yet?

It’s pink! It’s a flower! It must be Spring!

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Thank you to my friends at Aristeia Needlepoint for today’s stitch inspiration and stitched sample. It’s from a glorious Melissa Shirley needlepoint purse that Wendy Harwood stitched. It uses Crystal Braid and a size 6 bead on 13-mesh. The oversized bead and the openness of the stitch make this area stand out.

This stitch clearly draws attention to an area, regardless of bead size. With a smaller bead and Petite Silk Lame, I think this stitch would make a fascinating cloud or water, say on a Purple Palm beach project. I’m looking forward to using this on a dress with Soie Cristale and a seed bead. Also consider using a Hex or cube bead for something truly different.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com has a book for you! Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a contemporary how-to collection of more than 250 stitches for stitchers regardless of skill level. The book includes updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, all-new stitches, and a chapter on the basics of needlepoint. For more information, visit here.

whimsicalstitch.com also sells Stitch Guides and Stitch Concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, Sandra Gilmore, Purple Palm, Maggie, and Penny MacLeod, and many more. Click here to see the newest guides and click here to see the entire collection.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Please enjoy! Have a wonderful #whimsicalwednesday!

A Note about Diagrams
I use color in diagrams to make them as clear as possible.  The primary function of different colored lines is to illustrate a stitch sequence.  For example, the layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order.  They can also provide ideas on how to integrate additional threads (one line for each color).  Or, you can use the same thread for all color lines.  That's where I encourage you to use your imagination for the space you are stitching!