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Proper hoop tension is vital to thread painting success.  Nancy Prince (Episode 1004) shares her tried and true hooping method for off the quilt thread painting designs AND other helpful tips.

• Choose thread at least 2 shades darker than what you think you need, as thread stitches in lighter than the color you see on the spool.

• For convenience and ease of use, organize the selected thread for a particular design right beside your machine.  If the thread is lined up in stitching order, when you repeat the same stiching order again, you don't have to figure out the lineup.  Having the threads organized makes changing colors a breeze and is a huge time saver when working with a multiple thread colors on a design.

• Don't waste time and money by buying an inexpensive plastic hoop.  Nancy says that a 6" wooden machine embroidery hoop with 1/4" sides is strong, stable, lasts forever and offers great stability.

• If you don't like the thread color you stitched simply stitch over it with another color.  The effect of mixing the colors just might give a design the spark it needs.

• If threads keep breaking you may be moving the hoop too fast in relation to the machine speed.  Perhaps the thread is too old or the fabric is not taut in the hoop.

• Always make test samples before diving right into a project.  Test samples give confidence that a new design or concept can be successfully mastered.  They also help to make sure that the stabilization is correct.

Find more tips, ideas and thread painting projects in Nancy's books Thread Painting with Style and Quilt Savvy:  Simple Thread Painting.