"Needlepaints" Specialty Threads

Copyright © 2001 Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum

"Needlepaints" specialty thread is 100% Egyptian cotton, dyed in Japan, and processed in the United States. They are in 10-meter skeins, and there will be an antique-looking manila card printed in L&L blue. They are labeled with each number clearly visible on a hang tag. There are three color families......each one has the palest pale version and darkens down to the darkest dark of that color. 100% guaranteed colorfast!!!!!!

Designers had been reaching for these colors for years and Marilyn decided that if she wanted them she would have to make them. So she did. And she used them. The "Needlepaints" were her way of creating the dreamed-of colors.

The colors in the collection are (shade numbers are light to dark):

• 6 shades of Lavender/Blue [2001-2006]
• 5 shades of Orchid [2007-2011]
• 6 shades of Robin's Egg Blue [2101-2106]

Keeping up with the manufacturing has been difficult, and the threads have been in short supply. We are producing more of the Lavender/Blue and Orchid threads. Shops should be able to get them through their usual distributors or directly from Told in a Garden.

However, Marilyn has worked with Rainbow Gallery to develop a substitute color palette. The Rainbow Gallery Splendor and Mandarin threads are readily available and wonderful to stitch with.

If you choose to use the Rainbow Gallery threads, you must use all those threads. Don't try to mix-and-match with the Needlepaints. They won't match. You can download that color substitution from http://www.tiag.com/otherproducts/NPchoices.pdf. ( click here )

We are not providing substitute colors for the Robin's Egg Blue shades. The DMC low 500 series (504, 503, 502, 501, 500) is not as blue but will work in the designs using the 2100 series of Needlepaints. You'll need to decide on blending to get six shades.

Designs that use Needlepaints extensively

• Angel of the Morning......L&L 53
• Secret Santa......L&L 54
• Celtic Summer......L&L 56
• Celtic Autumn......L&L 58

Designs that use some Needlepaints and might be tweaked to use other colors

• Angel of Mercy II......L&L 52 (baby ribbon)
• Spring Bride......L&L 55 (flower circle around bride)
• Angel of Healing......L&L 57 (outer layer of dress)
• Evangeline......L&L 61 (alternates on chart)
• Fallen Roses......L&L 64 (purple heart option is Needlepaints)

Updated February 17, 2010.

Copyright © 2001 Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum. All rights reserved.