Thread can make or (literally) break your quilt. Many antique quilts have fraying fabrics but the stitches are secure. Consider the picture below:
The fabric is disintegrated but the outline of the applique is held secure by the thread.
I’m so glad that we have choices for different types of threads! I remember sewing in the 1970’s and having one choice, Coats and Clarks. Not that it was bad thread, it was just the only choice in the fabric stores.
Today, I love to have beautiful threads to choose from for my quilts — and there’s really only one that I use anymore. Aurifil. Even the name is beautiful. Here’s a little sample of their colors:
Here’s a larger sample of their colors:
Molto Bene!! (Aurifil is located in Italy)
It comes in this tidy little package:
If you notice the fine print on the cover, you’ll see that Aurifil thread comes in a variety of thicknesses, 12, 28, 40 and 50. If you want to know what the difference is, hop over to Aurifil and they’ll tell you all about their threads. You’ll even see some cool videos featuring Pat Sloan ; )
This is what my Aurifil threads collection looks like:
You’ll notice that thread spool colors are orange — for 50 weight, and gray — for 28 weight. What’s the difference? 50 weight is finer and I use that for piecing, machine quilting and hand applique. 28 weight is thicker and more lustrous and I use that for fine machine applique and free motion thread play.
The colors of Aurifil thread are scrumptious, are they not?!
This is how I “tote” my threads when I teach. I can see all of the colors clearly from the outside. And, it’s double-sided! Each cubby will hold one large spool or three small spools. Seen this carrier before?
You may have at a Quilt Show, where they sell for $12 – $20.
Will you laugh if I tell you that this carrier is actually a generic Hot Wheels box?
Yeah, it really is. I talked about this box about 5 years ago on the podcast. It’s one of my favorite things, especially for quilty get-aways.
I noticed the functionality of this box after I bought one for the Boy Wonder when he was into Hot Wheels. He still has his collection is his box…
Now, Aurifil is doing this very cool thing… Designers of the Month
and guess what? I AM ONE! I will be designing the June Project, which will be previewed at Quilt Market in Salt Lake City in May, and will be released in June on the Aurifil website. I promise it will be fun and worth the wait. There will be threads given away as prizes and a super prize for those who make the project and enter it into the contest on the Aurifil website.
So… this is a Give-Away-A-Day, right?
So, what’s the prize?
First, I have to announce yesterday’s winner of Lyric Kinard’s Art+Quilt book…. drum roll please….
(I do things the old-fashioned way. It’s not very scientific but it takes a prettier picture.)
Congratulations, Debbie! Email me your address and I will get the book in the mail to you pronto, as they say in Italy.
Ok, enough waiting — here it is:
A sweet assortment of Aurifil threads, just for YOU! Three spools of 28 weight, three spools of 50 weight and a 5-pack of the assorted weights.
How cool is that?!
I love the label on the assorted weights, It says “Feeling the Thread of Your Passion”. That’s what it is alright!!
So, leave me a comment and the winner will be chosen at midnight, April 8th. Tomorrow there will be a new podcast and another chance to win a fabulous prize. And guess what, if you’ve already won, you can win again! I’m not taking winners names out of the drawing.
Here’s a little “Happy Spring!” picture that makes me happy, even though it’s a rainy day:
Beautiful flowers, inspiring colors
Here’s a photo of my hand applique quilt sample, finished and ready to be delivered to my LQS so quilters can sign up for class
It turned out pretty good — and it’s a super simple sample of hand applique
Just in case you want to see a close-up of the focus fabric, it IS a beauty!
and one last picture, because the blog is telling me that it’s not quite done yet… and it’s raining, again, today…
better get prepared!!
Happy Quilting!!
Annie
©2011 Annie Smith All Rights Reserved
I love Aurifil. I just wish an LQS near me carried it.
You AND me, Diane!! Especially the 28 weight. I have to get that online or at a large quilt show. The only 50 weights I see in LQS’s are the neutral colors for piecing — because I think shop owners think that that’s all we need it for.
Send an email to Aurifil and tell them how much you love the thread and how hard it is to find. They need to hear that feedback.
Gorgeous thread. I’m still using some thread on wooden spools and could certainly use a newer assortment.
Uh, Nancy — thread on spools is a collector’s item. : ) It’s time to retire those babies to a nice glass container so you can show them off, and get some pretty new threads for each new project.
Thread does have a shelf life.
Would be great to win the thread – thanks for doing the give away.
I have never tried Aurifil thread, would love to try it!
Ohhhh. What beautiful thread. And what a wonderful give-away.
Thanks for the giveaway, the threads look gorgeous.
Aurifil is my all-time favorite thread! I use it for piecing, for quilting, for everything. I just love it.
Glad to hear your podcasts again!
Diane
I have heard Aurifil is a great thread – went to website and see a couple stores that carry it aren’t far from me – so will look for it next time I’m out! Would love to win some thread – one can never have too much (that and fabric!!). I discovered those Hot Wheels containers many years ago for my many embroidery threads – they are great! Lovely quilt Annie.
I would love to try some Aurifil. It’s not available to me locally. Welcome back! We’ve missed you.
OOOOO! I would love to have some Aurifil. I won’t have anyplace to get it now that Great American Quilt Factory is closed!
Ann
I would love to win this giveaway. I have so much money invested in another brand that I can’t not use it up. Does that make any common sense? However, if I received some free I could use it without a guilty conscience. Glad to see you back Annie.
there is so much buzz about Aurifil threads and i’d love to try them out. haven’t found them locally and would love to win these!
I LOVE YOUR HEART QUILT.
So happy to see you are back at podcasting. I have missed you! Have never tried Aurifil. Love the color sample folder. There is just something so heart lifting about seeing all the colors together.
Welcome back! I had wondered when/if you’d start podcasting again. I was sorry to hear about your data loss – I know how hard that is. 🙁 I highly recommend getting an automated backup system in place. Keep on pod-casting!
So glad you are back. I have missed you!
I’ve never tried Aurifil. Just looking at the threads on the color chart makes my heart feel happy.
Wow beautiful colors! I always hear about this thread. I would love to win, use it and see what I think of it. (I’m guessing I would love it.) Thanks for the give-a-way.
Hello Annie, it was so good to hear your voice again last night when I listened to podcast 187. I have missed you! Don’t worry about back-ground noises…they just give us a little more insight to your life. I first tried Autifill thread the first of this year and have bought only Aurifill since then. I really like it. Thanks for this opportunity to win more Aurifill. Best wishes.
I love aurifil threads. I use all the different weights and love the variety of colours. Too bad for me that no fabric store in my city carries them…so it would be great if I could win these!
Love your quilt too…I willl have to remember to check the June Aurifil project of the month.
I love the variety of colors available on the thread. I can’t wait to try some of it.
I love Aurifil thread. It’s all I use for piecing, machine quilting, hand sewing on the binding, etc. Someone once talked me into using another brand – mistake! The other brand was so linty. I never have that problem with Aurifil. I didn’t realize that it came in different weights. I also just tend to buy the neutral colors so I would love an opportunity to try other colors. What fun! Thanks for offering the give-away.
Ann McG
I love Aurifil thread but only have it in tan, white and grey. I would love to add some color to my Aurifil thread family.
I am loving all these new podcasts and blog posts coming our way. Life is good again….
I would love to try the Auriful thread…but our LQS are not carrying it yet…I keep thinking about ordering some. Glad you are back in the Podcast world!
Welcome back Annie!! You were missed.
I love Aurifil for hand applique.
Great threads!! Thanks for the chances to win cool things!
Thanks for doing things the old fashioned way, Annie! It made me a winner for Lyric’s book, LOL! I wouldn’t mind having a chance to try out those aurifil threads in a project. Count me in, please.
We’ve missed you, Annie! Welcome back! I first used Aurifil threads from the recommendation of the Piece O Cake ladies. They used to sell them on their website (I don’t know if they still do). Love those threads for applique!
Annie;
So glad you’re posting and podcasting again. You have been sorely missed. Love Aurifil thread too, hope I’m the lucky one you pick.
Oh no it’s a minute before midnight . Just made it in time. I’ve been in lancaster PA. Yummy thread.
-debby
Chester NY
Haven’t used Audi il before but today was told my machine would work right if I would use this thread – most perform miracles
Your heart quilt is lovely! The Aurifil thread also looks enticing! I would love to try it.
What a great giveaway. I love Aurifil thread. Too bad I can’t find many colors at my LQS.
Sue
I piece with Aurifil thread all the time. Love it. I’ve been coveting any of the artists collections for a long time. Welcome back to podcasting. I missed you. Donna
Debbie! I didn’t realize it was YOU!! I’m so happy to see you back here — thanks for hanging in there. The book is going out today!
I need to get me one of those totes. so much more organized that my box o thread.
I’d love to win these Aurifil! So hard to find decent threads here in the UK!!
I have never tried Aurifil thread, but I am going to have to now. Love all the colors and the super color chart. Glad you are back podcasting.
First off, I’m so glad you’re back to podcasting. You have such a smiley voice and excellent information. I love Aurifil thread as well. I think I first got it on your recommendation from the West of Baltimore class. However, I haven’t been able to find the 28 weight. I guess I could look online, but it can be hard to get the right color that way.
Beautiful threads! Came over here from 12×12 to hear the podcast.
What a fun posting about Aurifil. I have never used the thread but would love to try.
Do you think Mrs. Noah would have loved a package of her own?
Thank you, Ellen — try online, you should be able to order it.
Aurifil is wonderful. And lately it’s Italy & Kentucky songs that run through my mind. You will make a wonderfull designer of the month! 🙂
Lovely!!!!
Thanks, Kathleen. I’ll be working on my project next week. I’m pretty partial to Italian songs like those from Paolo Conte, and “Dominick, the Italian Christmas Donkey” : )