Aurifil Artisan Challenge :: Multiple Threads

When I started out with this mini quilt (10.5" x 11"), I wasn't intentionally making it for this month's Aurifil Artisan challenge, which is to make something using multiple thread colors. In fact, it wasn't until I was ready to quilt it and started pulling out threads in a variety of weights and colors that it dawned on me that I could.... and should! 

Early on, I named this piece Downtown, inspired by the print scrap in my original fabric pull. I had in mind something fairly small, as I chose more scraps and stash fabrics to pair with the print. Honestly, it may be a while before I'm ready to make a big quilt. I feel like I'm still in recovery mode after last year's big tryptich. So when I had a couple of hours on Friday afternoon and felt like digging into my scraps, I just went for it. I initially thought I'd do something with a variety of print scraps, but once I found that scrap - the last of a 2012 Jay McCarroll Center City print - I decided I wanted it to be the feature.

The piecing was random, as I created a few small blocks, then puzzled how they might fit together. At this point, it was just a relaxing way to spend a couple of hours at the start of the weekend. 

The backing was pre-determined - also a scrap of fabric already spray-basted to batting - and though I'd intended on making a quilt front that coordinated better, I let that go for convenience and the pure joy of using that dot fabric.

It was as I began mulling over quilting that things got more interesting. There were so many colors in this small piece, and any one thread color didn't seem to fit. So I began to search for thread colors that matched the fabrics, and in doing so, pulled several different weights as well. The quilting plan at this point? Decide as I went.

In all, I ended up using 10 different threads! I put Aurifil 40wt in the bobbin, and then just started in, quilting basically from the center out, one color at a time. The threads I used for piecing were:

Aurifil 50wt 2225 [Salmon], 2479 [Medium Orchid], 2975 [Brass], 6010 [Toast]

Aurifil 40wt 2692 [Black]

Aurifil 28wt 2625 [Arctic Ice]

Aurifil 12wt 2000 [Light Sand], 8530 [Puce Magenta Pink]

The quilt is bound in Kona Sangria, and just to let the thread show off, I machine-bound it, top-stitching with more of the 12wt Puce Magenta Pink. 

At some point during quilting, it dawned on me that I could add in a couple of more thread weights and colors by doing a little hand-stitching on the print sections. That also solved my issue of not really wanting to machine-quilt on them, but knowing they would still benefit from a little something. Thus, after the quilt was bound, I used Aurifloss 6722 [Sea Biscuit] and Aurifil 8wt 2420 [Light Blush] to add some outlining and filling stitches to those sections.

I love that this little foray into the scrap basket pretty much decided what it wanted to be along the way! Creating Downtown was refreshing, and I'm anxious to see what's next.

Linking up with Quilting JETgirl's Favorite Finish March.

Aurifil Artisan Challenge :: Upcycling

After focusing on a long-term project for months, once it was done, there were all sorts of smaller projects I wanted to catch up on and dive into. Rather than put it off for a few weeks, an upcycling project for February's Aurifil Artisan Challenge sounded inviting. It seemed the perfect timing to try Svetlana's @sotakhandmade video tutorial to Learn How to turn a pair of Old Jeans into a Stylish Tote Bag.

The exterior fabric was a simple choice as I'd already had a pair of hubby's old denim jeans stashed for a project. For the lining, I chose some Alexander Henry Fashion for Home Heath decorator-weight fabric. Since it was not the canvas suggested, I went ahead and interfaced it with fusible Pellon SF101, just like I did the jeans.

I followed Svetlana's tutorial pretty closely for the first exterior panel. For the second, I veered off a bit, knowing what size it needed to be.

For the handles, I used 25" lengths of 1" wide webbing, and the bag finished at 13" wide on bottom x 11" tall x 5" deep. I used Aurifil Forty3 2360 [Chocolate] for piecing and topstitching and 40wt 2360 [Chocolate] in the bobbin. The pair worked just great on the denim. In the side shown above, there was a small rip near the pocket label, and I used Aurifil 12wt 1126 [Blue Grey] for simple mending. It was an awkward spot, so I chose not to make the mending overly visible; ie. the Blue Grey thread was a pretty good match. Just for the record, I also used a 100/16 sewing machine needle for all the machine stitching, and had no trouble at all sewing through the denim - just had to take it slow once in a while.

Included in Svetlana's tutorial was the removal of several belt loops with a sharp seam ripper, so they could be sewn onto the bag elsewhere. I was reminded that seam rippers do wear out, and took the opportunity to replace mine with a new one. That definitely made the loop removal easier.

I confess I haven't upcycled garments very often, but really enjoyed this project. It's a nice size bag - not too big, not too small - and I look forward to putting it into use.

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!

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 :: Aurifloss | Whisper

So the scrappy quilt I began a few weeks ago using Aurifloss for big-stitch quilting is complete. Glance back if you missed the beginnings of project. What started me off was a box of small spools of Aurifloss - the Rosso Rubino collection by Susan Ache @yardgrl60 for Aurifil. The collection consisted of 10 colors of Aurifloss, 5002 [Medium Red], 6729 [Tangerine Dream], 2220 [Light Salmon], 2270 [Paprika], 2435 [Peachy Pink], 2420 [Light Blush], 2255 [Dark Red Orange], 2277 [Light Red Orange], 2230 [Medium Peony], 2415 [Blush]. I originally intended to use every thread color, and I came very very close. 

The floss worked really well for hand-quilting. I ended up using three strands throughout, and that felt good and strong; not too thick, yet still very noticeable. I really like the look of the different colors of thread playing over the quilt. 

All the stitching designs were on a whim, decided as I approached a new section. Most were done 'by eye,' though on a few of the larger ones, I marked stitching lines with my hera marker. 

For binding, I tried Erica's @kitchentablequilting method of big-stitch binding, referring to the highlight in her IG stories for tips on beginning and ending. I thought those very visible binding stitches really suited this particular quilt. 

I chose to wrap the binding and stitch on the back of the quilt, as the Kona Ivory quilt back shows off the quilting nicely.

I used Quilters Dream Natural Cotton Request Batting for this quilt, and it was lovely to hand-quilt on. The quilt is baby-sized, finishing at 34" x 40". It had been ages since I'd hand-quilted, so this was a fun change of pace. And I gave the Aurifloss a good workout and it came through swimmingly. I'm glad I gave it a go, and have a sweet, soft finish to show for it.