Aurifil Artisan Challenge :: Thread Organization

Recently I shared about trying the new Aurifil 8wt thread, and that actually was a bonus available to the Aurifil Artisans. The scheduled Aurifil Artisan challenge for January is to share our Aurifil organizing tips and tricks. Tricks have I none, and the one main tip - and it's loosely followed - is to keep similar weights together. 

Though I do follow my own tip, the different weights are organized in a variety of containers. The 12wt, which I use primarily for embroidery and hand-quilting, is kept in a loose mix in a project bag. This one, made by my friend Sharon @redapplestitches, has a handy tab that you can write on with a Frixion pen, so the current project can be labeled. I know it looks like a jumble, but it's so portable; and when working on a specific project, I often keep a selection of colors in a smaller basket near where I stitch.

In the traditional Aurifil thread storage cases, I keep all my large spools - mostly 50wt, some 40wt, organized by color. The cases at the top and center right in the photo below are my Aurifil Artisan Welcome boxes, which I usually keep as they come, so they do have a larger assortment of threads.

And I have a vintage My Buddy tackle box - hubby kept his painting supplies in it as a child - where I keep a variety of threads - mostly small spools. But there's my small collection of 28wt, small spools of 40wt, the new 8wt, monofilament, and then small spools of 50wt (including my neons!), 80wt, and wool 12wt. Both the thread storage cases and the tackle box are on a shelf right next to my machine for easy access. I guess that's another tip - keep the threads you use most close to your machine!

I don't have a huge collection of Aurifloss, but it's all together in a basket that I keep in my stash closet, at the ready.

And finally, there are my cones of all weights - 50wt, 40wt, and Forty3 - all in the cart next to my machine. I also keep a copy of the Aurifil brochure there, which has info about all the threads, what needles to use, suggested uses etc.

I've thought of a couple of additional tips in writing this post, and they are:

• If you find yourself running low on a color you really like or use often, order a spare so you have it when you need it.
• Try out the different thread weights. Before becoming an Aurifil Artisan, I used almost exclusively 50wt thread. I've since discovered that I like to use heavier weights for machine-quilting, I love 12wt for embroidery, and 80wt is amazing for paper-piecing.

I'd love to hear your thread organization tips! Share in the comments so we all can see.

Aurifil Artisan Challenge :: Scissors Cozy

This month's Aurifil Artisan challenge was to make a project using the thread collection that was sent in our welcome packs. I received Orchard by Jill Finley @jillilystudio, which included seven small spools of Aurifil 50wt. 

Colors included: 4020 [Fuchsia], 2430 [Antique Rose], 2410 [Pale Pink], 2420 [Light Blush], 2115 [Lemon], 2886 [Light Avocado], 1114 [Grass Green]

So I debated a while on what to make with my thread collection, and finally settled on a scissors cozy from a tutorial by Svetlana Sotak. I made one for myself  a while back and really like it and use it to keep my best shears protected. For this new one, I chose an Essex Yarn Dyed in Steel for the main exterior, and a mix of fabric scraps and stash for the solid colored strips, which measure 1/8" wide finished. Note that you can piece and quilt the cozy exteriors however you wish before continuing with project construction. The pieced design I chose is not part of Svetlana's pattern.

To show off the assorted threads, I densely topstitched three rows of each thread color on either side of the coordinating fabric strip. Then on the two ends, I continued the pattern by quilting in the neighboring colors - Antique Rose on the left, and Light Avocado on the right.

On the cozy back, I did an angular grid using all the thread colors. Unfortunately, photos don't do it justice, but I think the two sides coordinate really nicely in person.

I found a sweet floral print for the lining.

And for the side tab and zipper pull, I used some gray scrap leather, which made for a perfect finish.

This was a fun little project, and I highly recommend it, if you need a scissors cozy too. I don't think I'd ever focused on using the threads in an Aurifil collection exclusively for a specific project like this, so that was a good challenge. Plus I really enjoyed using the thread colors that Jill @jillilystudio had selected for her Orchard collection. 

Aurifil Artisan Challenge :: Mindful Stitching

August has felt like the perfect time for this month's Aurifil Artisan Challenge of Mindful Stitching. Coming off a long-term hand-stitching project, my Bow Ties quilt, I was ready for my ultimate relaxing stitching in a new Dropcloth sampler. I'd had the Log Cabin sampler stashed for a while, and I was happy to be finally starting in on it.

The challenge specifically requested that we use either Aurifil floss or 12wt. Traditionally I've used perle cotton on my samplers, but I've become quite enamored with the 12wt, and was anxious to try that again for embroidery. It is two-ply, the heaviest weight thread that Aurifil offers, and comes wound on a red spool. I didn't have a huge collection on hand, but a nice enough assortment to get started. On this particular project, I am doubling my thread for all my stitching.

To be honest, this piece is still a work in progress! I've been working on it for a couple of weeks now, and I've really been enjoying it. The Log Cabin is printed on a red and yellow background which totally influenced my choice of thread colors. I've chosen a red/orange/gold/purple palette, a little bit unusual but lots of fun to work in. And happily, the 12wt is a dream to stitch with - it stitches so smoothly, with just a bit of a sheen.

Just for the (my) record, the threads I'm using include:

1240 [Very Dark Eggplant] + 2134 [Spun Gold] + 2245 [Red Orange]

2255 [Dark Red Orange] + 2260 [Wine] + 2270 [Paprika] 

2520 [Violet] + 2535 [Magenta] + 2975 [Brass] + 5022 [Mustard]

I'm also doing a variety of stitches, choosing which to do as I start in on a new log cabin. So far, there's a mix of chain stitch, backstitch, stem stitch, couching, and coral stitch. 

So selecting a stitch and a thread color as I do this slow-stitching has been a fun element.

Aurifil Artisan Challenge :: Leather Pincushions

A new year as an Aurifil Artisan means a new calendar of thread-use challenges; and besides sharing an unboxing of our welcome pack, we were asked to use any of those new threads in a project to share. As it ended up, I used four new threads, chosen primarily for their colors. But considering they were in varying weights, it was a good opportunity to mix and match with them.

photo by Lindsey Jeske

The threads I used were:

• 50wt 2225 [Salmon]
• 40wt 6722 [Sea Biscuit], 1135 [Pale Yellow]
• 12wt acrylic-wool blend 8530 [Puce Magenta Pink]

photo by Lindsey Jeske

It all started when I was given several partial rolls of leather a few weeks ago. I mean a lot of leather. It felt lightweight enough to machine-stitch on, but I'd yet to give it a try. And of course, I'd been mulling over what in the world to make with it. Then I remembered the leather pincushion I'd been gifted by Hillary Goodwin @entropyalwayswins a few years ago (similar to this one), and it dawned on me that I should try something similar. [Hillary and Kitty Wilkin @nightquilter also wrote a tutorial for an Easter Egg version if you'd like to see theirs.]

Happily, all the thread weights I used worked beautifully. I used 50wt in the bobbin when stitching with the 50wt thread; 40wt when stitching with the 40wt and 12wt. The focus fabrics were a variety of substrates - woven, quilting cotton, and linen - and all were either double-layered, or backed with a layer of linen. 

A size 90 needle was already in my machine, and stitched just fine on this weight of leather, though I did stitch a little slower than normal. I began and ended with a 1.5 stitch length, stitching about 3.0 for the majority of the stitching. 

I was really happy to see that all the threads performed so well. If color wasn't a consideration, I think I'd select a 40wt for piecing with this leather in future projects, it being slightly thicker/heavier than the 50wt. I'm still mulling over what else to make with my leather stash, so if you have ideas, let me know!

2023 Aurifil Artisan

After an enjoyable and productive year as an Aurifil Artisan, I was happy to be asked to join the team for a second year. The group of makers is varied, which I love; and I look forward to seeing the results of their creativity. Besides being inspiring, you never know what you'll learn and be inspired by from other makers, right?

Meanwhile my Aurifil Welcome Pack just arrived and here's what it held:

• 50wt cone 2225 [Salmon]

• Forty3 40wt cone 1246 [Grey]

• 50wt large spools of 2214 [Golden Honey], 2479 [Medium Orchid], 1104 [Neon Orange]

• 40wt large spools of 6722 [Sea Biscuit], 1135 [Pale Yellow], 1148 [Light Jade]

• 28wt large spools of 2021 [Natural White], 2710 [Light Robins Egg]

• 12wt large spools of 2430 [Antique Rose], 2000 [Light Sand]
• 12wt large spool of acrylic-wool blend 8530 [Puce Magenta Pink] edited to correct
• spool monofilament

• small spool of 80wt #2930 [Golden Toast] and floss #4669 [variegated Stonewash Blues]
• 50wt small spool Orchard collection by Jill Finley @jillilystudio, colours included: 1114 [Grass Green], 2886 [Light Avocado], 2115 [Lemon], 2420 [Light Blush], 2410 [Pale Pink], 2430 [Antique Rose], 4020 [Fuchsia]

• Aurifil color card

• brochure about all the threads, what needles to use, suggested uses etc.
• and an Aurifil sticker!

It'll be fun to see what these threads inspire! We were invited to share an unboxing post, and unfortunately, mine was too large to share here. But if you missed it, check it out! Our first official challenge is to create something using a thread(s) from our welcome pack, so I'm mulling that over!

Aurifil Artisan Challenge :: Neon Threads

The Aurifil Artisan Neon Challenge was an 'extra' challenge available to the artisans as Aurifil was working closely with Freespirit Fabrics and Tula Pink on an influencer tour. Our challenge was separate from that, but still highlighting the new limited edition 50 wt neon threads - 7000 [Neon Orange], 7001 [Neon Yellow], and 7002 [Neon Pink].

We each received three small spools of the neon threads, and our challenge was to use all three - in one project or several. I chose to combine them in one project - a small quilt inspired by Minimal III from Gwen Marston's Minimal Quiltmaking. I thought a simple solid quilt design would be an ideal vehicle for showing off those neons. The fabrics I chose were Kona Black, Key Lime, Persimmon, Acid Lime, and an unknown pink. 

Once my simple design came together, I created a pieced quilt back with project leftovers and a few coordinating stashed prints.

Early on, I had a quilting plan in mind - both vertical straight line and 'fancy' zig zags across the quilt. 

I'm really pleased with that choice, though I learned as I began that the threads showed up best on the black fabric. In retrospect I would have used more black fabric in my design, but still, I'm happy with the resultant look. And of course, the texture is divine.

The quilt finished at 40.5" x 41.5" with matched binding, an obvious choice. It's a fun one, and I'm really glad I got the chance to play with those neon threads.

Linking up with Meadow Mist Designs' Favorite Finish Monthly Linkup!

Aurifil Artisan Challenge :: New-to-me Thread Weight | Sunshine

So I just finished another DropclothSampler and I really changed things up this time. I've traditionally used size 8 perle cotton when stitching my samplers, but when I saw that this month's Aurifil Artisan Challenge was 'doing a project featuring an Aurifil thread weight you have never used before, or have not used often' I just knew I had to try using Aurifil 12wt to stitch the "Sunshine" sampler.

Let's just say it was lovely to use, and stitched the sampler beautifully. I used a double thread, and incorporated just a bit of 100% wool for the couching. The 12wt is the heaviest thread Aurifil offers*, and after trying it for hand quilting in my recent Italiano antico; and now here for hand embroidery, I'm definitely a fan.

As you've probably noticed, this particular sampler was printed on a yellow background, with all the stitch markings in different colors. It was surprising how the colors of the markings happened to be similar to the 12wt threads I had on hand. Together, they definitely played a part in my creating the palette for this particular sampler.

I had a hard time calling this one done, so I added in extra French knots and straight stitches. Over the course of stitching these samplers I've embraced the notion that I can 'add to' the printed design, and I've really enjoyed that.

As a kind of postscript, I want to mention that I was using a new hoop on this project. I've often had trouble keeping my work taut, and had recently purchased the 7" Morgan No-Slip Embroidery Hoop from Snuggly Monkey. It has a "unique tongue & groove design" that really did the trick. I heartily recommend it!

*P. P. S. I love that the Aurifil website has a page for each weight of thread they make showing suggested uses, as well as other helpful information on using that particular thread, such as needle recommendations and other tips. Good to know!

Aurifil Artisan Challenge :: Appliqué

During the pandemic, when we did more online shopping than normal, one of the things hubby got interested in was reduced waste items. I think it might have begun with eco-strips laundry detergent, which totally eliminated the plastic jugs our old detergent came in. Another item we tried were TruEarth wool dryer balls. So I'm not really here to laud the praises of these products - though we are still using several of them, and do check out their website if you're interested. But the little (7" x 8.5") bags the dryer balls came in were perfect for a small appliqué project - the theme of this month's Aurifil Artisan challenge. Basically, I wanted to repurpose the bags, cover up the advertising (no offense!) so they could be reused as fabric gift bags.

After mulling over a design to appliqué, I finally settled on Carolyn Friedlander's Bow pattern. Originally designed as a quilt, I printed out the pattern at 71%, which was perfect. It seemed an obvious choice to use some of my CF fabric scraps, and also used Carolyn's method of basting, though I did do mine by machine, where she usually bastes by hand. I'll be sure to try that another time!

As you can imagine, the rainbows were pretty quick to needle-turn. And perfect for the job was a spool of Aurifil 80wt #6722 [Sea Biscuit]. This thread is super thin and sleek, yet strong, and would also be great for English Paper Piecing. It took very little effort at all to hide my stitches with such a thin thread. After I stitched each curve of the rainbow, I removed the related basting stitches, which worked really well, and then I didn't have to dread doing all that at the end.

Once the rainbows were done, I trimmed 1/2" around the top curve, and turned all the edges under and pressed well. I used small, fine Little House glass head pins to place the rainbows on the bags, then appliquéd them on with the same 80wt thread. It worked perfectly, though I did learn two things, unrelated to the thread.

1. With using such a light background fabric, the lettering on the bag faintly shows through on the left rainbow above. 

2. Stitch the bottom of the rainbow first. When I started with the curve, the bottom of the bow shifted ever so slightly by the time I got to stitching it. 

Neither are deal-breakers, but things to remember in the future. Another note - because the bags were already constructed, it was just a tad finicky stitching the rainbows on, basically with one hand inside the bag so I wouldn't stitch through to the back. Appliquing before constructing the bag would obviously be a little simpler. But still, I'm super happy with how they both turned out, and am glad I gave it a go. Plus it felt good to repurpose those cute little bags!

And honestly, I'm glad I had a project that was able to use that 80wt thread, as it's lovely to work with. I'll definitely keep it in mind for my next appliqué project, that's for sure.

Aurifil Artisan Challenge :: On the Go

When I saw that the Aurifil Artisan Challenge for July was "On the Go," I immediately thought of the 100 bow tie blocks I had finished - and ultimately stashed away - last August during the 100 Day Summer Sewalong. I had already come up with a layout, so it was easy to pull the project together for portable sewing.

First, I refreshed the ArtBin I'd used with a previous handsewing project. In fact, leftover squares are still there, saved for a possible new project. But for now, I'm ignoring those, and using the other supplies.

It seems to work best for me to mark the sewing lines before stitching any blocks together. So I do that for a row's worth of blocks, then I'm not carrying the entire project with me at any one time.

For piecing, I'm using a spool of 40wt thread that came in my Aurifil Artisan welcome package - #2026 [Chalk]. I'm finding it strong yet fine enough to create the tiny stitches needed as I sew the blocks together.

So I haven't gone too far afield with my project quite yet, but I'm ready! And meanwhile, I'm making good progress. Hoping I can stick with it!