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Thursday, April 15, 2010

On the A-Team



 A few weeks ago, AURIfil Thread asked me to be part of their A-Team. Woo-hoo! I have been a big fan of AURIfil for years, so I am thrilled to be included in the list of artists, designers and educators that AURIfil selected to be part of this team. I’m going to be sharing with them projects that I do with their threads, and adding my name to the list of some very talented quilters who endorse the AURIfil brand.

They recently sent me this 48-spool thread kit! Here is the front:


and the back:


I selected mostly 50-weight Cotton Mako (orange spool), because it is perfect for thread sketching. I’ve been using it in the projects I’m doing for my series in Quilting Arts magazine on thread sketching, including this one:

 Vanity (detail)

Cotton Mako 50 is the lightest weight Egyptian cotton thread that AURIfil makes, and because it is so fine, it doesn’t cause my work to draw up the way heavier thread would. And there’s no heavy thread buildup, just a nice sheen. It works magnificently in the bobbin, whether I’m using a heavier thread on the top, or the same weight. And unlike some other threads, it almost never breaks, and it leaves practically no lint in my machine.

They even let me pick the colors! What a treat; it’s like having a humungous new box of crayons. Here is just one panel of their current thread card. If you’ve never seen a thread card before, it is what quilt shop owners get if they carry a particular brand of thread so they can pick the colors they want to purchase. Cotton Mako 50 comes in 260 solid and varigated colors, and I want them all!


I’ve said it before: when you make traditional quilts, it’s all about the fabric, really. At least I didn’t pay much attention to the thread when I was making traditional quilts. But now, my thread stash is as important as my fabric stash. 

Here’s a look at the outside of the AURIfil 48-spool thread kit. I think their packaging is very stylish. Maybe it’s that great Italian fashion sense.



Their display racks for shops are spectacular too. Here’s a shot I took at the spring 2009 Quilt Market, the trade association shows for everyone who buys and sells products for quilting. Don’t they look like works of art themselves?


(That’s my quilt Lepidoptera on the wall behind the stand.)

wool Lana thread

And look at their cones of thread!


And last, but certainly not least, AURIfil has top-notch, and exceedingly kind and friendly, people to work with. Here are (from left) Davide Moro, Alex Veronelli, and Elena Gregotti:

AURIfil’s blog (AURIfil Buzz) – http://auribuzz.wordpress.com/
AURIfil’s website – http://www.aurifil.com

10 comments:

  1. All I can say is that I am green with envy. I would be in Heaven with that much Aurifil :-) as I too love Aurifil. It is the most wonderful topstitching thread when I make my shirts too.
    Love your quilts too.

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  2. I too am green with envy! ;>) What a great thread sampling!!!! Just this morning I was lamenting not having the perfect shade of blue in what few cones of Aurifil I have here. :>( Hopefully somebody locally will carry it soon!

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  3. I have to go through my threads and see what types and weights I have. Then I will have to experiment and try different ones to see how I like them. I like the idea of a thinner thread like this for thread painting.

    Debbie

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  4. I was introduced to Aurifil back in about 2001 by Kathy Sandbach. She sold us ziploc bags full of Aurifil 50 wt cotton Mako. I was a bit leary, but have become a complete convert.

    You are soooooo lucky. I also love their thread and would love to get that Aurifil suitcase! You picked colors that I would have picked as well.

    Enjoy!!!
    Jaye
    http://artquiltmaker.com/blog

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  5. Love their thread......that is a huge box of beautiful threads......enjoy every minute....I look forward to seeing what you do with it all!

    Happy Sewing

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  6. Debbie,
    There are two main reasons I like the Cotton Mako 50 for thread sketching. First, the light weight means there is little draw-up. (I work with one layer of fairly heavy stabilizer, usually Pellon 910, and can avoid using a hoop if I use the light weight thread.

    Second, in my mind, it is better to use a light thread and build up with more lines of stitching if you need it to be more solid. A single line of stitching is great for delicate details. If you use heavier thread, you can't get that level of detail.

    Give it a try and let me know what you think.

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  7. Oh I couldn't agree with you more. The more thread play and close machine quilting I do, the more I LOVE my Aurifil!! The 50 wt Makko is to dye for when you are doing close work.... and Yes, Alex is a dream!

    But I love it because it has almost NO LINT buildup while I am machine quilting. What a joy!!

    I have their thread cards and now can order the color as I need them. No more quessing if the shade is just right!

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  8. Oh Dear, I'm every color including green with envy!!! WOW! I have two spools of this thread & really love it. I am hoping to start picking up more of it soon.

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  9. Susan, wow, what eye candy! Would you happend to know where those huge cones of thread can be purchased? They look to be maybe 10,000 yards. Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Debi,
      Cones are available through many of Aurifil's online retailers. Here's one: http://www.followthatthread.com/

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