AKA: WTF is Riqui thinking?

Below is a step-by-step of each pattern type of my color habits and thoughts. WHILE I MAY PROGRAM A PATTERN WITH SPECIFIC COLORS IN MIND – YOU NEVER EVER HAVE TO FOLLOW MY SUGGESTIONS IF YOU DO NOT WANT. You may always be as creative in color choices as you want to be. HOWEVER, of you want YOUR stitch out to look exactly like the website pics, follow the color stop pdf in the zip file.

ALMOST ANYTIME YOU SEE A COLOR STOP AS MEDIUM TURQUOISE OR TRUE ORANGE IT MEANS THAT THIS IS AN IN THE HOOP PATTERN AND THIS IS A FORCED COLOR STOP WHERE YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. THESE ARE NOT THE COLORS YOU HAVE TO USE – AS A MATTER OF FACT, IT USUALLY MEANS DON’T USE THIS COLOR BUT I’M STOPPING YOUR MACHINE TO MAKE YOU DO SOMETHING.

PLEASE NOTE – OLD PATTERNS from the very first few years of pattern design DO NOT FOLLOW THESE RULES. If your pattern was created prior to June (ish) of 2018, these rules do not apply and it’s pretty much the Wild West as far as “rules” go.

For ALL In The Hoop designs (ITH) you may wish to match your bobbin color to your top thread for a more professional “look.”

APPLIQUES:

1. Recommended material- Generally fabric and I prefer to back my fabric with SF101 or similar iron-on interfacing. HOWEVER, vinyl is frequently used for appliques on different In The Hoop (abbreviated: ITH) patterns and I have used felt, minky, and plush on peekers, splits, etc. Generally, applique material can be what you would like to use for your specific project.
2. the single line stitch at the start of an applique is ALWAYS the fabric/vinyl color you should use for the applique.
3. The zig-zag stitch color is chosen at random to force a color stop. It’s advised to use the same thread color as the satin stitch to prevent color bleed through.
4. Keep in mind, ITH patterns that contain applique elements will follow this same convention – first single stitch is fabric color suggestion, second zig zag color chosen to force a color stop and good applique habit is to use the thread color of the final satin over the zig zag and raw edge after trimming.

Bookmarks:

1. Recommended material- marine vinyl for both front and back.
2. GENERALLY (but not always) the first color stop is a die line for positioning vinyl. It will most likely be “mulberry” – this means choose whatever color YOU think works best.
3. the next to the last color stop is “dark teal” – this is the eyelet stitch and to force a color stop. Use either a complementary or contrasting color to your vinyl — basically do whatever the frell you want. I generally try to match my tassel (if there is one) but you do not have to.
4. The last color stop is “purple.” This is the back attach step – use a thread color to match your vinyl for the “hidden stitch” look OR contrasting with the vinyl to make it pop. Basically, dealer’s choice.

BUN COVERS:

1. Recommended material- marine vinyl for the front and felt for the back. I no longer use vinyl for the backs because it is too “slippery” on hair.
2. The first color stop is a die line. If it is TRUE ORANGE – then it is dealer’s choice on vinyl color. If the die line is a specific other color, this is the color vinyl I had in mind when designing.
3. The next to last color stop is TRUE ORANGE – this is for the eyelets and to force a color stop so you can add the back. Completely up to you on thread color but highly recommended that you match your vinyl color.
4. The final color stop is the back attach step.  It is a specific other color – – this is the color I had in mind when designing.

Coasters:

1. Recommended material- I generally use cork intended to hold a stitch backed with SF101 or similar iron-on fusible interfacing. I use felt for the backs of coasters. However, many people prefer vinyl for the tops/front.
2. The first color stop is a die line for material placement. I use tan because it USED to be that most people used cork for coasters. You do NOT have to use tan materials if you do not want to
3. The next to the last color stop will either be “medium turquoise” or a specific, other color. If medium turquoise – dealer’s choice on what color to do the satin. If a specific, other color, use that color.
4. The last color stop will be either TRUE ORANGE or a specific other color. If TRUE ORANGE – dealer’s choice on thread color. If a specific, other color, use that color.

Dangles:

1. Recommended material- marine vinyl
2. The first color stop is a die line. If it is TRUE ORANGE – then it is dealer’s choice on vinyl color. If the die line is a specific other color, this is the color vinyl I had in mind when designing.
3. The next to last color stop is TRUE ORANGE – this is a forced color stop so you can add the back. Completely up to you on thread color.
4. The final color stop is the back attach step.  If it is TRUE ORANGE – then it is dealer’s choice on thread color. If it is a specific other color, this is the color I had in mind when designing.

Dice Trays:

1. Recommended material- marine vinyl for both front and back.
2. The first color stop is a die line. If it is TRUE ORANGE – then it is dealer’s choice on vinyl color. If the die line is a specific other color, this is the color vinyl I had in mind when designing.
3. The next to the last color stop will be either TRUE ORANGE, then it is dealer’s choice on vinyl color, or a specific other color. If a specific, other color, use that color.
4. The last color stop will be either MEDIUM TURQUOISE or a specific other color. If MEDIUM TURQUOISE, then it is dealer’s choice on thread color. If a specific, other color, use that color.

Edge to Edge Quilting:

1. Recommended material- designed with 60wt quilting cotton in mind BUT you can do whatever you please.
2. There is absolutely NO intended thread color on E2E patterns. You can use a complimentary to your fabric color to have the E2E stitching fade in or a contrasting color to have it POP. This one is ENTIRELY your choice.

FOBS:

1. Recommended material- marine vinyl for both front and back.
2. all chibi fobs require at least medium weight cut-away. Denser designs may require heavy weight cut-away and sometimes even two layers of CUT-AWAY stabilizer. Chibis tend to be DENSE stitching.
3. The first color stop is a die line. If it is TRUE ORANGE – then it is dealer’s choice on vinyl color. If the die line is a specific other color, this is the color vinyl I had in mind when designing.
4. The next to last color stop is TRUE ORANGE – this is a forced color stop so you can add the back. Completely up to you on thread color.
5. The final color stop is the back attach step.  If it is TRUE ORANGE – then it is dealer’s choice on thread color. If it is a specific other color, this is the color I had in mind when designing.

Full Fills:

1. Recommended material- designed with 60wt quilting cotton in mind BUT you can do whatever you please.
2. If it is a STRAIGHT full fill (not an applique, not any sort of ITH) use the colors as prescribed.

ID BADGES:

1. Recommended material- marine vinyl for front; Oly Fun or similar non-fraying, polypropylene fabric on the back to hide the stitching; minimum 16-18 gauge for clear vinyl.
2. The first color stop is a die line. If it is TRUE ORANGE – then it is dealer’s choice on vinyl color. If the die line is a specific other color, this is the color vinyl I had in mind when designing.
3. On ID BADGES with applique and/or satin elements –
   • Appliques follow the same color proscriptions: if medium turquoise or true orange for the single stitch die line, use whatever color you want. Zig zag stitch should match your final satin
   • Final satin – if medium turquoise, true orange, OR medium rose, use whatever thread color you want for final satin. If any other color is indicated, use that color.

Mug Rugs:

1. Recommended material- 60wt quilting cotton
2. The first color stop is a die line. If it is TRUE ORANGE – then it is dealer’s choice on fabric color. If the die line is a specific other color, this is the color material I had in mind when designing.
3.  The second color stop is a zig zag so you can attach quilt batting to the back. This color stop is MEDIUM TURQUOISE but I recommend you use the same thread color as your fabric so there is no bleed through.
4. The third color stop is the quilt stitch and as with E2E stitching it is entirely YOUR choice on thread color. You can use the same exact thread color as your fabric for a fade in look and to keep the quilt stitch from detracting from the main embroidery design (this is my personal preference) OR you can do a hard contrast color to get the QS (quilt stitch) to POP or you can do something in between. ENTIRELY dealer’s choice.
5. The final color stop is the back attach step and is MEDIUM TURQUOISE but I recommend you use the same thread color as your fabric so there is no bleed through.

Notebook covers:

1. Recommended material- marine vinyl for outer cover, inner cover and slip pockets I tend to use vinyl canvas / glitter canvas as it makes for a less bulky notebook cover but with the durability and stiffness of marine vinyl.
2. he first color stop is a series of die lines.  It is YELLOW and it is dealer’s choice on vinyl color.
3. The second color stop is a series of tack downs. It is IVY GREEN to force a color stop and it is dealer’s choice on vinyl color.
4. The final color stop is the back attach step and is usually a specific color BUT it is up to you if you want to use the same color as your vinyl for a fade in look, a high contrast color for pop, or to follow my suggestion to match the embroidered design work.

Ornaments:

1. Recommended material- marine vinyl for both front and back.
2. The first color stop is a die line. If it is TRUE ORANGE – then it is dealer’s choice on vinyl color. If the die line is a specific other color, this is the color vinyl I had in mind when designing.
3. The next to last color stop is TRUE ORANGE – this is a forced color stop so you can add the back. Completely up to you on thread color.
4. The final color stop is the back attach step.  If it is TRUE ORANGE – then it is dealer’s choice on thread color. If it is a specific other color, this is the color I had in mind when designing.

PATCHES:

1. Recommended material- Generally heavy-duty fabric like denim, heavy twill, canvas and I prefer to back my fabric with SF101 or similar iron-on interfacing. HOWEVER, vinyl is frequently used for patches, too.
2. Use two layers of WOVEN WSS (water soluble stabilizer) crisscrossing at 90 degrees.
3. The first color stop is a die line. If it is TRUE ORANGE – then it is dealer’s choice on material color. If the die line is a specific other color, this is the color material I had in mind when designing.
4. The second color stop is a zig zag. You will appliqué trim so you get a nice clean edge where the final satin encloses the edge.

PEEKERS:

1. Recommended material- Generally fabric and I prefer to back my fabric with SF101 or similar iron-on interfacing. HOWEVER, vinyl is frequently used for peekers and I have used felt, minky, plush, etc.
2. the single line stitch at the start of an applique is ALWAYS the fabric/vinyl color you should use for the applique.
3. The zig-zag stitch color is chosen at random to force a color stop. It’s advised to use the same thread color as the satin stitch to prevent color bleed through.

SPLITS:

1. Recommended material- Generally fabric and I prefer to back my fabric with SF101 or similar iron-on interfacing. HOWEVER, vinyl is frequently used for splits and I have used felt, minky, plush, etc.
2. the single line stitch at the start of an applique is ALWAYS the fabric/vinyl color you should use for the applique.
3. The zig-zag stitch color is chosen at random to force a color stop. It’s advised to use the same thread color as the satin stitch to prevent color bleed through.

Strap Connectors:

1. Recommended material- marine vinyl
2. The first color stop is a die line. If it is TRUE ORANGE – then it is dealer’s choice on vinyl color. If the die line is a specific other color, this is the color vinyl I had in mind when designing.
3. The last color stop is MEDIUM TURQUOISE – this is YOUR cut line.

STUFFIES:

1. Recommended material- felt, minky, plush, flannel, truly whatever you desire.  
2. The first color stop is a die line. If it is TRUE ORANGE – then it is dealer’s choice on material color. If the die line is a specific other color, this is the material color I had in mind when designing.
3. If the stuffie is 6×10, 7×11 or 8×12, it likely contains an applique element or two or three. Follow the applique conventions:
   • the single line stitch at the start of an applique is ALWAYS the fabric/vinyl color you should use for the applique.
   • The zig-zag stitch color is chosen at random to force a color stop. It’s advised to use the same thread color as the satin stitch to prevent color bleed through.
4. The final bean stitch (back attach / tack together) should be a thread color that matches your base fabric.

TABS:

1. Recommended material- marine vinyl for front and back
2. The first color stop is a die line. If it is MEDIUM TURQUOISE or TRUE ORANGE – then it is dealer’s choice on vinyl color. If the die line is a specific other color, this is the material color I had in mind when designing.
3. The next to last color stop is TRUE ORANGE – this is a forced color stop so you can add the back. Completely up to you on thread color.
4. The final color stop is the back attach step.  If it is TRUE ORANGE – then it is dealer’s choice on thread color. If it is a specific other color, this is the color I had in mind when designing.

Zip Bags:

1. Recommended material- marine vinyl for front and back or SF101 backed fabric for front and back; lining is 60wt quilting cotton
2. The first color stop is a series of die lines. If it is PINK – then it is dealer’s choice on vinyl color. If the die line is a specific other color, this is the material color I had in mind when designing.
3. The second color stop is orange sunrise (zipper tack down) – this thread color should match your vinyl or fabric.
4. The third color stop is a tack down for your vinyl or fabric – – this thread color should match your vinyl or fabric.
5. All color stops AFTER THE PRIMARY EMBROIDERY DESIGN is done stitching should be the same thread color and should be the same color as your vinyl or fabric. They are programmed as Nile Green, Pink, Blue, etc. to force color stops so you can open/close zipper, add D rings, add lining, add back, etc.