How to pick a primitive palette

Have you been thinking about using silk threads for a sampler? It is a good choice; silk was the thread most often used in sampler stitching over the last few centuries. It is strong, easy to use, and has a beautiful sheen. 

Kreinik Silk Mori (a floss), Silk Serica (a pearl-cotton-size), and Silk Bella (a super-fine size) are three different weight, or sizes, of silk thread available from Kreinik. You can get them on standard sized spools or large cones/skeins. They come in more than 175 colors. 

To some, 175 colors may not sound like enough. To others, especially those just starting to use silk, it's overwhelming. No problem; here we will show you how to get started:

1. Pick a starter thread assortment like one of our Silk Home Decor Collections. You get a small collection of silk colors with minimal investment. The "antique" set is particularly synonymous with the primitive look, but you can also go with a brighter group if you prefer. Here are links to sets from which to pick:

• 25-skein sets

• 10-skein sets

2. Narrow the 175 down to primitive, shaker, antique, or "sampler" style colors (see the list below) Print a copy and take it to your favorite independent needlework store, or visit one of the many online shops that carry Kreinik Silk Threads. Look for "half-skeins", or 2.5-meter skeins to start your collection. Choose these colors in Silk Mori for cross stitch, applique, and hand embroidery, or Silk Serica for Hardanger, needlepoint and crazy quilting. Note: Silk Bella is perfect for small details in all techniques, but doesn't come in as large of a color range as Mori and Serica.

Visit this page to see swatches of these Silk Mori colors

Visit this page for Silk Serica colors

Visit this page for Silk Bella colors

1093 Light Wood Violet

1094 Medium Wood Violet

1096 Dark Wood Violet

1098 Wood Rose

1119 Garnet

2014 Medium Gold

2016 Dark Gold

2017 Very Dark Gold

3063 Light Henna

3065 Dark Henna

4074 Medium Dusty Green

4076 Dark Dusty Green

4077 Very Dark Dusty Green

4203 Light Sage

4204 Medium Sage

4206 Dark Sage

4212 Lightest Avocado

4215 Medium Dark Avocado

4216 Dark Avocado

5057 Very Dark Slate Blue

5107 Very Dark Cerulean

6123 Light Dusty Lavender

6124 Medium Dusty Lavender

6216 Dark Dusty Lavender

6127 Very Dark Dusty Lavender

6204 Medium Dusty Plum

6205 Dark Dusty Plum

6207 Very Dark Dusty Plum

7012 Lightest Lead Grey

7014 Medium Lead Grey

7024 Antique Parchment

7025 Parchment

7086 Dark Straw

7087 Very Dark Straw

7126 Ecru

7134 Medium Bark

7135 Medium Dark Mocha

7136 Dark Mocha

7166 Dark Brown Black

7173 Light Honey

7174 Medium Honey

7175 Medium Dark Honey

7183 Light Sable

8050 Black

8075 Medium Dark Charcoal

8077 Very Dark Charcoal

8086 Dark Gray

All of the Milkpaint color range (the color numbers begin with "0")

3. Get a silk color card and use it to match silk colors to an antique sampler. Then once you have your list, you can order just what you need. Here is the link to the Kreinik Silk Thread color card, which has actual thread swatches.

Don't be intimidated by silk threads; stitchers have been using it successfully for centuries. Your fingers will be spoiled by its softness, your mind will be impressed at its strength and durability, and your eyes will delight at the beautiful, natural sheen. For the price of a small skein or spool of silk, it's worth a try.