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
Guilty. Not only of buying middle of the road priced cone thread for sake of color, but grabbing whatever spool fits the need… does thread have an expiration date? Would love to try Aurifil thread and be a convert too!
What an excuse to go stash shopping!
Thanks so much for the close up photo of the pink and green thread. So many times I read things like this on blogs/websites and you just can’t really tell the difference.
I really should start investigating thread options rather than using the ‘$4 for a box of 5 spools’ thread that I mostly have on my shelf!
Hi Kathy,
I use Aurifil thread since I’ve started machine-quilting. Bright and lovely colours, high quality and – as I think – low price are the reasons for me to use only Aurifil thread to give my projects the “topping”. I love the colour gradiant threads the most. They always match to the colours of the fabric.
I was lucky to have a quilt teacher who taught me the importance of using good thread, and how it can effect the piecing. I’ve been using Aurifil as well and love it for both hand and machine piecing! I get beautifully flat and well fitted blocks! Here in Europe it’s quite pricey, but absolutely worth the results. I can’t wait to start playing with the wool variation…..
Wonderful blocks!
how great! I’ve always wanted to give this thread a try
thx!
I’ve never really given thread much thought…so I’d love to win and see what all the fuss is about ;o)
Please count me in!
Lovely block! Thanks so much for the fun!
My comment didn’t pop up. So I just try again. Love your block! This blog hop is such a fun! Thanks so much for sharing!
The Blossom Block is beautiful! I like your choice of colours!
I’m only very new to quilting and have never heard of Aurifil (shock, horror!) but after reading this post I will DEFINITELY be looking into it!
Have just started looking into threads for my quilting – absolutely fascinated by your comments. Will give Aurifil a try. Thanks for the insight and photographic proofs
I love variegated Aurifill for quilting..it has such a nice affect, and is also fab for machine embroidery!
I love Aurifil Mako 50/2, and use it exclusively for piecing. It’s hard to find at my local quilt shops, usually they only carry the basic colors (beige, white, black, gray), if they carry Aurifil at all. I’d love to win a sample pack of the colors!
So interesting to read (and see!) about the differences in threads. I’m so focused on the fabric that thread gets forgotten.
I have yet to try Aurifil but would be very excited to win a sample of colors to try on my next project! Thanks for the opportunity to win
I need to win the thread because I am inspired by your creative writing and our shared background of “whatever” in the thread selection department. Color! Color! Aurifil has it and I want it.
I’ve always sewn with just whatever. To be honest, I’ve felt that this dedication to certain threads was an extension of fabric snobbery, something to be avoided. However, the quarter inch seam still eludes me, so I am ready to eat my words and give this thread a try. Thanks for the opportunity to win and for the block which is really lovely!
Thank you for the chance to win. I just downloaded the block.
It is amazing how much different, and in a better way, that Aurifil sews. I love it! Can’t wait to make your cute block(love the fabric choices)…off to find some fabric in my stash!!
I am one of the Aurifil Newbie’s!! I have recently heard of this thread but have not had the chance to use it. My Dorothy (Bernina 830) loves to use all her fancy stitches plus when it comes time to embroider….Watch Out!! Her owner gets carried away in her creating designs and embroidering them out. It sounds like Dorothy could really use some cool thread! Thanks for the pattern.
I love aurifil but my lqs closed and nowi have a hard time finding it! Please stock it at pink chalk!
I am so excited by this blog hop! This block is so beautiful can’t wait to put them all together!
I have used Aurifil thread and love it. It’s so fine that you can get lots on the bobbin but seems very strong. I love it.
I’d love to try it to see if it’s as great as everyone says!
Thanks for the chance to win:)
You’ve convinced me to give Aurifil a try. When you quilt with the 28 wt, what do you use in the bobbin?
I’d love to try a new thread! I’ll have to forfeit my last excuse for why my project doesn’t look as good as I’d like — I won’t be able to blame it on the thread any longer!
I love Aurafil thread for hand applique. The 50 wt. is just a little finer than other brands. Thanks for sharing your opinion and the chance for your giveawway.
Aurifil Thread – Letter A
Angelic
I have yet to use the Aurifil thread. I’m very intrigued by the promise of its aid in obtaining such an accurate seam allowance. Thank you for introducing it. I’ll keep my eyes open for it.
I’d love a chance to try some of those threads. I normally use Coats, while they are satisfactory I don’t find them any where near as vibrant or shiny as in the pictures you’ve shown. It never occurred to me to look for different brands TBH.
Thanks for the tip!
Thank you so much. Your block is so pretty.
You are so right about aurifl thread. I have a few spools, and REALLY want to add more…….
Thanks for the block pattern, too. Very nice,
Love your block. Thanks so much for showing the heavier weight thread. Not sure I would have tried it since I have so many “other” threads, but now I know I’ll be heading to the store to pick some up.
It is getting downright dangerous to read your blog — if you’re not demonstrating something that I simply have to try, you’re showcasing something absolutely beautiful that I would love. Your quilting is gorgeous! And I’m filing Auriful thread set under Wishes.
I have always used King Tut thread for quilting, but have heard such good things about Aurifil. Would love to try some!
I’ve used Aurafil threa and it truly is the best for piecing and quilting. Plus, their monofilament is so fine and soft and blends in the best of any I’ve tried for invisble machine applique. Thanks for the great block!
I love your block colors and the stitching looks fantastic. I have used Aurifil and it definitely is bulk and fuzz free. Thank you for the fun blog hop.
I just discovered Aurifil thread at the beginning of the year. What wonderful thread it is!
I love how the heavier thread looks, I never really paid attention to thread weight! Would like to try Aurifil. Thanks for the great info.
I just started using Aurifil thread and love it for the same reasons you do! I would be thrilled to win some!
Beautiful block, Kathy. I have tried Aurifil thread and love how even it makes the stitches. The colours are beautiful too! No thread fuzz either. I have really enjoyed the variegated thread. Thanks for the chance.
I have a friend who has the full suitcase of every Aurifil thread color available. I’m green with envy every time I see it!
I have never tried Aurifil thread before…but after reading all the success you had with it I’m thinking I need to try it!
Kathy your ‘A: is AMAZING!!!!!! So happy you joined the party and your block rocks!!! Thank you for being part of the hop!
Beautiful block! I love how you quilted it. Can’t wait to make it. Thank you.
The block you designed is beautiful. Your quilting stitches look perfect. I picked up two spools of Aurifil thread at a quilt show last year, and I absolutely love it. The thread is so fine, there is no fuzz, and the color selction that they have is insane! When I see a display, I want them all!
I should pay more attention to the thread I use, but my head starts to spin when numbers like 50wt etc start being used. I really should learn more because the stitches on your block are just beautiful.
I am a new sewer and already I have had bad thread experience. I have yet to find a thread that I cannot live without so I will have to give Aurafil a try. Thank you for introducing me to this brand.
I recently received the same sample thread pack and I LOVE this thread!!! It’s such a joy to work with!