There are projects that require
blended colors, and there are some that do not and simply use
solid colors. Blended colors consist of separating one
strand of floss from one color and placing it with another
strand of floss from another color, and together they make a
blended strand. Solid color use is simply using strands
of
the same colors. Some people like working with blended
colors and don’t mind the tedious work of blending them, but
there are others like myself who prefer working with solid
colors which is far less tedious and takes less time to
complete
the project. I have worked one or two cross stitch
projects in my lifetime that called for blended colors along
with solid colors, and I’d have to say the solid color
patterns
work up a lot quicker. For example, I currently am
working
on a blended color pattern in my bedroom that is going on Year
No. 8—can you believe it! As a result of this extra
work,
I find I really have no incentive to gingerly hop up in the
chair to my floor stand frame and finish my project (with a
smile on my face) in a timely manner because of having to deal
with the blends. When I do and if I do decide to finish
my
project, it will be a major accomplishment of something I
should
have finished a long time ago. With blended colors, the
work becomes more time-consuming because in order to keep your
sanity, you have to separate and create a palette of those
blended colors, and even go as far as pre-threading with
multiple needles all of the blended colors in order to achieve
some sort of efficiency.
Achieve Realistic Results with More Solid
Colors
On the other hand, working with
solid color patterns moves a lot faster for me, and I am able
to
get the project done a lot quicker. Some people prefer
working on blended color patterns because they think the flow
of
colors is going to be more spectacular, but I am here to tell
you that you can achieve the same results by simply using more
colors or purchasing patterns that use an abundance of
colors. In our designs here at Sunrays Creations, we
take
pride in using more colors than the average pattern so that
not
only do we achieve a finished project that looks very
realistic
(similar to a photograph), but the vibrancy of color and
definition are never compromised. Our patterns look just
as vibrant as blended color patterns, and the beauty of this
is
that the project can be completed in half the time as opposed
to
a blended color project. Of interest to note is that a
pattern that has far less colors in it is going to yield a
pretty dull, boring and washed out looking pattern when
compared
to one loaded with many colors that will make it much more
realistic.
Personally,
if given a choice, when I have
the opportunity to work on a solid color pattern, I am going
to go the solid color route unless I have no plans of
finishing the project before the next century.
It's a Matter of Personal Preference
Some cross stitch websites offer
blended color patterns as an option as well as solid color
patterns. To simplify things, we here at Sunrays
Creations
simply offer solid color patterns, but we use an abundance
of
colors that will still give you a glorious effect of color,
and
you’ll be able to complete your project much quicker,
preferably
in this lifetime. But, I say to you “to each his
own.” There’s nothing wrong with that—it’s just a
matter
of preference.
