Updated on 8/9/11: Download all nine blocks from the hop on the Aurifil website.
Admission: I never really cared what type of thread I used. OK, stop cringing. I’m a color gal and I just never gave it much thought.
Ah Ha!: That would be the moment I wound my bobbin with 50 wt Aurifil cotton thread and began piecing my Blossom Block (one of 9 blocks you’ll be able to download for free on this hop!) The light footprint of my stitches resulted in the most Accurate 1/4″ seam I’ve ever sewn and there was no thread bulk. You know I love pressing the heck out of my blocks and no bulk meant my block was flat as a pancake.
Adore, Amazing, Absolute Best: A few of the descriptions from quilters I asked about Aurifil thread. Yes, I am definitely the last person to attend this party but I’m so glad I finally Arrived.
I received a sample pack of Aurifil thread in different weights. I used the 50 wt cotton to piece my block and LOVED it. Smooth, lean, strong, and colorful. Not a bit of thread fuzz to be found anywhere around my bobbin case or presser foot.
I was so completely Awestruck (yeah, a little over the top with the A‘s but that’s my letter!) with the 50 wt thread for piecing that I wanted to try the 28 wt to quilt something. I pieced my block into a Gather Up Pillow top, a great size to quickly test drive the thread. The results were spectacularly Awesome! Smooth stitches, excellent tension, and a natural sheen that makes the pillow top glow. A note on my project: I used Brand X for the Pink stitching lines and Aurifil for the Green. A very noticeable difference!
I can say with true sincerity this thread has knocked my socks off. I’m a total convert.
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Pat Sloan is organizing the Aurifil Blog Hop so of course it’s loaded with all kinds of fun prizes and goodies. If you’ve used Aurifil Thread leave a comment sharing what you love about it. If you’re a thread newbie like me share why you’d like to experiment with Aurifil thread.
Everyone is a Winner: Each stop on the blog tour features a 9″ quilt block pattern you can download. Pat designed the first block. She’ll be posting the final setting instructions (blocks are set on point) along with the winners of the drawings on her blog this Saturday (February 26) updated to: Monday, February 28. Good luck!
I’ve designed the Blossom Block which can be downloaded here.
Sample Packs of 5 Aurifil Threads. Two winners will be selected from those leaving comments on this post.
Grand Prize: A Pat Sloan Kit Art 50wt Aurifil Thread Set. Each stop on the blog hop will select one name to be entered into the Grand Prize drawing.
Visit the other blogs on the tour to download a quilt block and get more chances to win:
Monday Feb 21st
* Pat Sloan Starter Block
Tuesday Feb 22
* Pink Chalk Studio (Letter A) Kathy Mack – You’re Here !
* Lizzie B Girls (Letter U) Beth Hawkins and Liz Hawkins
Wednesday Feb 23
* Erin Russek (Letter R)
* Thimbleanna (Letter I) Anna
Thursday Feb 24
* Stitchin’ Heaven (Letter F) Niki
* Quilting Gallery (Letter I) Michele Foster
Friday Feb 25
* Sew Cal Gal – (Letter L) Darlene
* I Have a Notion (Letter T for Thread!) Kelly Jackson
* Pat Sloan Final Quilt Layout with Setting Instructions
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Even more links!
Aurifil Thread Kits available at Pink Chalk Fabrics
I adore Aurifil thread! It’s the only thread I use! Thanks for the great blog hop!!
Great bloghop and great threads!
Well, since my name begins with A, I think I should be a shoe in
I actually love this thread. I am a newbie and a borrower. My mom loaned me some of her thread and I am thrilled with the low fuzz, the precision of piecing as well. I need to purchase some thread to finish a quilt and I am definitely going to purchase Auriful now.
BTW, I love your block and how you quilted it. I am a fan of a lot of stitching on my quilts.
I love That “A: word, Auriful. I have been using it for a couple years now. I love how clean it sews and how long one spool lasts forever.
Your blossom block makes me think of summer flowers & your Aurifil comments are AWESOME!
I love your blog, that is one cute block, thank you
Great block! Love Aurifil threads!
Cute block Kathy!!
I just bought my first aurifil recently for a special color I needed…what a smooth thread and great color too.
Thank you, this is a cute block and I look forward to collecting them all and using my AURIFIL thread to make them!
Beautiful colors and design in your block. I love it. Very fresh.
[...] Pink Chalk Studio [...]
So sad………I didn’t win any of this awesome thread………………but still a winner, ’cause I got some really great patterns!
Thanks for chance to win! Was a fun Hop!
Hugs!
Lori
I am so excited by this thread! I can’t wait to hit some of my FAV quilt shops to see if they are carrying it! Thanks for the beautiful pictures of your quilting, the thread looks SO silky!!
What a wonderful idea…this aurifil blog stop…AWESOME!!! AURIFIL!!
I love Aurifil thread! I use it all of the time and totally love it – however, I would always enjoy more colors – I have only white and grey. Love this blog – I know I am too late for the contest – but wanted to comment anyway.
I’ve loved Aurifil thread for several years now!! It’s a beautiful thread to sew with and to use for machine quilting! My personal favorite for micro quilting.
I have never thought thread mattered very much, but I recently bought a different manufactored thread and it has made a difference in breakage and strength. I would like to try Aurifil, so hence, here is my post for consideration. Thanks – I love Pink Chalk no matter what!
Oh, I would love to win the Aurifil thread. I live 35 miles from the nearest store and am always out of the color of thread I need. If I don’t win the thread or even if I do maybe you could give me some hints on organizing thread.
By the way, I am completely redoing my sewing/guest room (including built in shelves). Thank you for your inspirational sewing room articles.
Like you, I stumbled on Aurifil, what a happy accident, and it is now all I use—it sews consistently, fills my bobbin without tangles, and yes, little or no lint to clean out of the machine—and oh, how spoiled I am!I had to ‘borrow’ a thread at a demo a few months ago—brand X—wished I had my brand A with me for sure—they could charge more, I’d still buy it—love it!
Bevann
Kathy,
Your wonderful block makes me think of summer–warmth, blooming gardens, picnics, butterflies, happy children, lazy times on the porch, chirping crickets, and, best of all, fireflies at night!
Cannot wait to try the Aurifl!
Cheers,
Kerry
I was taking a class at a quilt show. The instructions called for Aurifil thread. I found it at the quilt show and what a find it has been. The Aurifil caused me to have a thread fetish! I love it and so will everyone else once they try it. I want to leave work right now, go home and quilt!
Happy stiching
Denise
Oh, I feel so badly! I’ve never even tried Aurofil thread! They look so beautiful, I read the raves and now I’m wishing I had some…badly. Please do consider me in the drawing. From reading the testimonials, I bet I would be a total convert. But I need to try just one to find out…and a pack would be ever so lovely!
Hi Kathy, I am new to quilting and like you I have not given much thought to what thread I was using. I usually try to buy what is on sale at JoAnn Fabric. I would love to try the Aurifil thread. I love the sheen it gives and how it makes the stitching pop. Right now I am making lots of crafty little items getting ready for Christmas. However, I think after practicing with all my patchwork bags, pouches and toy sacks I have decided this coming year I am ready to start quilting and am excited about all the quilt projects swirling in my head. With your ringing endorsement of the Aurifil thread I can’t wait to get my hands on some and start using it on all my craft.
Jenny
A couple of years ago my friend handed me an orange spool of thread in some neutral color and told me to use it and I will never use anything else. Aurifil 50 has been my choice ever since. I really like its clean, smooth lines for my paper piecing. It helps the multiple layers of fabric lay flatter. I have some friends that are concerned about it being 2-ply and therefore not as strong a thread. Any comments? I have not had any of my quilts or projects come back to me with broken threads. Another friend who gave me a lengthy lecture on it’s not being strong enough a year ago, told me this year that it is the most wonderful thread she has ever used! She has been a quilter and teacher for more than 40 years.
I’ve always wanted to try Aurifil but haven’t splurged on it. Now it seems it’s time to break down and treat myself, especially since I’m tired of using thread that seems to be fraying.
K……NOW YOU HAVE ME WONDERING IF THIS IS THE THREAD I NEED TO TRY……..I HAVE BEEN USING CHEAP THREAD EVER SINCE I STARTED QUILTING & IT’S ON MY LAST NERVE NOW BREAKING & KNOTTING UP, I AM SOOOO READY TO TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT SO I CAN QUIT CUSSING CONSTANTLY AT MY THREAD! THANKS!
I love Aurifil ever since I discovered it at Quilt Lover’s Hangout in North Ft. Myers, FL, two years ago. I use it for all of my piecing.
I have never thought much about trying special thread but your comments make me want to now!
What beautiful thread and such a great block idea, thank-you!
such great blocks love them all
It’s been my favorite thread for piecing and quilting for several years.
Less lint, even, flat seams, and also excellent for hiding in quilti-in-the-ditch. I also prefer it for the bobbin in machine quilting. I have only used the 50 weight.
I love your block too, very cute, especially the colors you worked with! I love the hints you give too!
I only have one spool of Aurifil, which was given to me by a friend. She LOVES it and wanted me to give it a try (I was kind of like you, more of a color gal). I thought good quality thread was good quality thread, and I liked most of it. Well now I LOVE the Aurifil!
I tried Aurifil, skeptically as you, and I absolutely LOVE it!!! YAY!
lIKE THE BLOCK, WILL TRY THE THREAD.
I do agree with all of the ideas you’ve presented in your post. They’re really convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts are too short for beginners. Could you please extend them a little from next time? Thanks for the post.