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 :: Machine Quilting + Hand Quilting | Italiano antico

You've probably already seen my finished quilt, Italiano antico, but I wanted to reshare it briefly since the current Aurifil Artisan Challenge is using machine-quilting and hand-quilting in the same project. I can't for sure say this was my first time doing that, but I don't do it often. It's kind of a trend lately, isn't it? I definitely enjoyed giving it a try.

For the machine-quilted grid, I chose three different red Aurifil28wt threads. These were heavier threads than the 50wt I usually machine-quilt with, but I'm definitely growing fond of them.

I intentionally left the centers of the Xs unquilted, and later went back in for some big-stitch hand-quilting with Aurifil 12wt. Perfect it's not, but I love the look, and it was a pleasure to stitch.

Any of you like to combine machine- and hand-quilting? I'll be on the look-out for opportunities to do it again. 

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!