How 2 Use an Ombre Sketch Font

1", 1.5", 2", 2.5" and 3" sizes shown; each name uses three thread colors

Each character in Gallimaufry Ombre Sketch has three color stops. The first two steps are sketch -- a light and airy fill pattern. The space between each line of stitching varies such that the two colors combine to create an ombre effect. The characters have a bean stitch outline in a third color.

These close up images allow you to see the detail:

It's like mixing paint but with thread! The ombre effect works best if the first and second colors are different, but side by side on the color wheel. The ombre effect will be subtle if the two colors are similar in tint or shade (as shown in the "e" and "y" above). The ombre effect will be more significant if one color is darker than the other.

There are so many ways you can use this font!!

You can use multiple thread colors across a name, each letter blending a different pair of colors. For example in Skylar below, six different thread colors are used for the sketch to create the rainbow effect and each letter is outlined in black. The "S" is blue/purple, the "k" is green/blue, the "y" is yellow/green, the "l" is orange/yellow, the "a" is red/orange, and the "r" is purple/red.

3" size shown

Similarly fun bright colors were used for a striking look on black! The "R" is orange/pink, the "a" is yellow/orange, the "c" is lime/yellow, the "h" is aqua/lime, the "e" is purple/aqua, the "l" is pink/purple, and they are all outlined in white.

2.5" size shown

You can extend the ombre look across multiple lines of text. In the sample below "Big" uses blue and purple for the sketch steps, "Sis" uses purple and pink, all letters outlined in black:

3.5" size shown

This sample uses the same lime and blue threads for each letter but swaps their stitch order on alternating letters:

Since each character has three different color stops, there are actually EIGHT different ways you can use this font by skipping steps or using fewer threads:

1 - skip first step, use same thread for second and third (this will achieve the traditional look of our other sketch fonts)
2 - skip first step, use different threads for second and third
3 - skip second step, use same thread for first and third
4 - skip second step, use different thread for first and third
5 - two colors for sketch, outlining in the first color
6 - two colors for sketch, outlining in the second color
7 - two colors for sketch, outlining in a third color
8 - outline only!

You will need to use software to create your text designs. We include BX installation files for use with Embrilliance software, but you can also merge individual designs in the editing program of your choice. Here are some tips:

-- Letter alignment with this font is not simply lining up the bottom of each letter --to achieve the intended look of the original font artist, some letters are designed to descend below the baseline and some sit above. We offer this image with the baseline drawn in as a guide, but you can place the letters however you want for a fun look! (Embrilliance users: we have done this work for you when creating the BX files!)

-- We do NOT recommend resizing sketch fonts in software. Most programs do not handle recalculating stitch density appropriately. Consequently we offer THIRTEEN sizes from 1" to 7" to meet your needs.

-- If your program has the ability to do a color sort, you may want to take advantage of that feature to save time doing multiple thread changes. However make sure you stabilize your project very well, otherwise design elements (like the final outlines) may not line up perfectly due to shifting in the process of stitching multiple letters across your hoop.

-- Your software may or may not give an accurate digital preview of the final product. For example, this is the 4" letter A as displayed in three different programs. The best way to see what a thread combination will look like is to do a test stitch of a letter before stitching your full design on a valuable blank.

To further assist you, we have produced this video to offer tips on recoloring the font to achieve the various looks shown above. The video was done in Embrilliance, however we recommend everyone watch it ~ the coloring principles can be applied in any editing program, just adapt it to the way your software functions.

To learn more about using our fonts in Embrilliance, check out all of our how-to videos posted on our YouTube channel.

We cannot wait to see your projects using this font!

How 2 Use an Ombre Sketch Font

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