I'm picking up my embroidery (hand) for the first time in over 20 years!!! I remember (hindsight being 20-20 of course!) my grandmother's pillowcases. They were all one color with various shades. The pillowcases I have all have instructions for using various colors. Would it look "strange" if I just started with a thread (whatever)and just kept going - without worrying about what should be dark or light? Otherwise, why would they have shaded threads to begin with???? I hate breaking the rules :-)