Aurifil: The Thread That Connects Us
26th Jul 2021
“Think about it, thread is literally holding our quilts together. Why would you want to compromise on quality? For me, Aurifil is the only choice for my quilt making now. It’s strong and makes seams lie beautifully flat. The choice of colours and weights makes it perfect whatever look you’re going for.” -- Nicholas Ball
The sentiment is simple, but Aurifil Designer Nicholas Ball couldn’t have said it better. That Aurifil thread is absolutely perfect for quilting is something that is widely felt throughout our industry, heralded by a growing list of Designers, Artisans, and Educators. So what is it about this thread that binds us all together? What makes it so remarkably special? Let’s turn to the makers, the creative innovators who turn these simple spools into works of art, day in and day out.
No matter where we are or what project we are doing, Aurifil thread can be used for so many of our different endeavors. Think about it -- thread not only holds our quilts together, it holds us together. It is something we have in common no matter how different our projects look.
Read on to hear what fellow quilters, makers, and artisans have to say about Aurifil thread. And, be sure to subscribe to Chroma to have Aurifil thread delivered right to your door!
“I love Aurifil because they are the most comprehensive range of glorious threads I know. I love the colors, the variety of weights, the quality. I love the people who make up the company. I love how they support so many makers and artists, and that they are a dynamic, exciting company in our maker’s market. Lastly, I love the overall feeling I get when I pull out that color card and begin to dream, what am I going to sew with next?” -- Jennifer Sampou
Thread matters, and really does affect your project! It’s important to choose a quality thread that is suited for your project, and find a color that makes your quilt (or whatever you’re working on) really shine.
“One of the first steps in any quilting project, after choosing pattern and fabric, is choosing the right thread color and weight. For several years I've been quilting with Aurifil cotton thread and I've never been disappointed. This 2-ply thread comes in a variety of weights and endless colors -- for a cotton thread you can't beat the strength or sheen and you get all this with very little lint. You've got to give it a try!!”-- Karen Miller
“Explore the world of color!! It can be easy to get into the lull of just using the same neutral for everything, especially when Aurifil 50wt thread is so smooth and strong, but experimenting with using coordinating or contrasting colors can really spice up a project.” -- Kitty Wilkin
How can color “spice up” your latest project? Part of the fun of the Chroma membership is that you don’t know what color threads are coming to your door. Use it as an opportunity to incorporate unexpected colors in your projects. Or you can even purchase a Mystery Thread Bundle where we will send you five spools of thread in mystery colors. There are so many ways we can help you expand your thread use!
Nervous about choosing thread? Aurifil is also great for beginners:
“Aurifil threads made me a very happy machine quilter! What thread you use REALLY does matter! I highly recommend that beginners start with the 50wt.” -- Wendy Sheppard
Many new quilters don’t realize that thread choice is important for tension, and 50wt thread is my favorite for consistent, lovely stitches. My machines (vintage Singer 66, modern Singers, TinLizzie 18 longarm, and Juki J-150 QVP) all LOVE this thread. It runs through the guides smoothly, is strong enough for quilting at high speeds, and, as I mentioned, it holds tension consistently. With all other threads, I feel like I’m constantly “fiddling” to get even, clean tension on my stitches. When I’m working with 50 wt, though, especially on the longarm and the Juki, I feel like I don’t do any fiddling at all. I check my tension when I get started, and I find that it holds all the way through the project. -- HollyAnne Knight
The 50wt nitty gritty:
Wound on Aurifil’s iconic orange spool
Available in all 270 colours
Comes in three different sizes: Small Spool (220yds), Large Spool (1422yds), & Cone (6452yds)
When using 50wt thread in a domestic or longarm machine, we recommend using Aurifil 50wt in the bobbin.
It is best to use a 70/10 or 80/12 Microtex/Sharp, Universal, Quilting, or Denim Needle in your domestic machine. We recommend a 2.5 (12) or 3.0 (14) Needle for Longarm quilters.
As 50wt is Aurifil’s most widely used thread weight, there is an extensive range of projects, tutorials, and showcase pieces that feature it. We’ve pulled a few favorites and hope that one of a few of them piques your interest or inspires something new!
Free Project Links:
How will you use your Aurifil 50wt? Tell us in the comments!