Comments on: Contrast stitching remedy?

Question: Contrast stitching remedy?

crapulent — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 10:42:12 -0800

I loathe contrast stitching. Can I just cover it up with a marker?

I recently bought a purse that is perfect except that it has brown leather trim with white stitching.

Will it work if I just color over it with a brown marker? Anyone tried this? If so, what kind of marker should I use? Do they make special markers for similar purposes and where can I get them? Or is there another more suitable substance, something along the lines of shoe polish?

I don't want to ruin my purse.

By: Specklet

Specklet — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 10:47:47 -0800

Yep, you can do this. They have markers for things like this at large fabric stores. I'd ask them about the leather, though...

By: Julnyes

Julnyes — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 10:55:36 -0800

maybe you can use a fabric dye applied to the thread with a brush ?

By: pomegranate

pomegranate — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 10:57:29 -0800

crapulent, I salute you. Couldn't agree more. I've had pretty good luck with the careful use of permanent marker. Most people are not so detail-oriented that they'll notice, and if the brown ink is a little darker than the leather, that's still better than that ridiculous white. Try it on the side facing your body first, but be careful that it doesn't wipe off/smudge onto your clothes.

By: DawnSimulator

DawnSimulator — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 11:35:58 -0800

As a PIB I always carry a Sharpie on my person to take out offending bits of white on clothing---bleach spots, contrast stitching, etc. Two problems with Sharpie on vinyl, (p)leather, etc.--one, the change in reflectivity is often more noticeable than any color variation. I've also had problems where the acid from the permanent marker eats a tiny hole into the clothing. I still prefer that over a white spot.

By: slimslowslider

slimslowslider — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 11:36:32 -0800

A Sharpie or fabric marker-which you can get at a craft or fabric store-should work best. Fabric dye can come off on you if it isn't set by washing first.

By: horseblind

horseblind — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 11:41:17 -0800

extra fine, maybe ultra fine point sharpie. permanent, dries quick, won't smear. seriously. ultra fine point should let you color the stitching with little to no run over on to the leather.

on preview loads of others suggest the same. I type so damn slow.

By: Necker

Necker — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 12:02:22 -0800

I loathe contrast stitching.

How bizarre.

By: theora55

theora55 — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 13:55:35 -0800

Apply the marker slowly, letting capillary action help draw the ink from the marker to the vile white stitching.

By: dejah420

dejah420 — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 17:47:04 -0800

I loathe contrast stitching.

I'm so there with you on that. Gods I hate it. Sharpie is my tool of choice, the method described by Theora55 above is the most effective.

By: nile_red

nile_red — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 19:57:16 -0800

I used sharpie on some black boots with ugly white stitches and the only noticeable thing about it was that sharpie is reflective, so I'm seconding (thirding fourthing?) the ultra-fine sharpie suggestion...and do they come in brown yet? I've seen pink sharpie..

By: caution live frogs

caution live frogs — Fri, 17 Jun 2005 06:07:25 -0800

Given that it's leather, a brown shoe polish might be able to soak into the thread enough to dull the white without making the leather look too shiny. I've found (more often with black than with other colors) that Sharpie can obscure white spots on fabric, but it never looks quite right - minor variations in dye tint are actually pretty noticable to many people, as our visual systems tend to be wired to key in on color.

nile_red wrote "do they come in brown yet?"

They come in an amazing variety of colors (49 to be exact).

By: crapulent

crapulent — Fri, 17 Jun 2005 09:34:38 -0800

Thanks everyone. I now feel equipped to win the war against contrast stitching. I found a multi-pack with a brown Sharpie at Target. And this website has a variety of permanent fabric pens (including brown), in case anyone else is interested. Thanks again!

By: crapulent

crapulent — Fri, 17 Jun 2005 09:44:54 -0800

Oh, and they also have a section titled Fabric Paints. I'm guessing this would work also and you can even blend your own colors to get an exact match. Createx Colors Pure Pigments looks promising.