Most of the needlepoint decorative stitches require less thread than the continental tent stitch. Some of the few exceptions where you’ll need more thread are: Basketweave Tent stitch, Encroaching Gobelin, French knots. If the decorative stitch you want to use contains sections that when stitching intersect with more than 1 hole, then most certainly it won’t require more thread than the continental tent stitch (with which you need to stitch every hole). The larger the stitch is, the less thread will require!