I have now exhaustively tested the Aurifil 50wt thread for hand sewing with all of the English Paper Piecing I have done during this holiday. For anyone wondering whether to give this thread a try, I would highly recommend it and you won't look back once you do. Having been a dream for machine piecing, it has been as much a dream for hand piecing.
What makes the difference? It glides through the fabric like butter without snagging. It also glides back out again when removing basting stitches. It is fine so makes nice crisp seams but is also strong so doesn't snap when you yank on it hard. It barely tangles at all and, when it does tangle, it untangles easily because the tangles just slide out.
Because it is strong and glides through the fabric, I managed to try a new speed piecing technique which I've never used before. I load about three inches of whipstitch onto a short section of thread and then drag the whole lot through in one go. I tried this with another thread and it was not smooth enough to work.
I would say I can hand stitch at least twice as fast with Aurifil as with previous threads I've used because of how wonderful it is to work with. Any questions, let me know and if you'd like me to show you how I speed whipstitch, just let me know.
What makes the difference? It glides through the fabric like butter without snagging. It also glides back out again when removing basting stitches. It is fine so makes nice crisp seams but is also strong so doesn't snap when you yank on it hard. It barely tangles at all and, when it does tangle, it untangles easily because the tangles just slide out.
Because it is strong and glides through the fabric, I managed to try a new speed piecing technique which I've never used before. I load about three inches of whipstitch onto a short section of thread and then drag the whole lot through in one go. I tried this with another thread and it was not smooth enough to work.
I would say I can hand stitch at least twice as fast with Aurifil as with previous threads I've used because of how wonderful it is to work with. Any questions, let me know and if you'd like me to show you how I speed whipstitch, just let me know.
That's how I do my hand binding stitches. I load up at least 5 stitches at a time before I pull them through. I do use hand quilting thread for the strength in the binding tho.
ReplyDeleteMore video! I tried to do multiple stitches in my last hexie frenzy flying home from NY, but got lots of tangles and gave up quickly.
ReplyDeleteOn that same flight two little girls were very interested in my hand piecing. The older, probably 8 or 9, took an assembled section and studied it for a while. Then she watched me a bit and asked, "is that a whipstitch?" Very cute.
Oh, one question - are you careful about the direction of your thread when hand sewing?
Woah! Love the "quilt in the breeze!" You are just soooo smart!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info on the Aurifil for hand sewing. What I'm using now for my hexies and binding is a pain in the neck! I learn something from you every day - and I'm old - I should know everything by now!
Must. Try. Aurifil.
ReplyDeleteAre you still on vacation in that beautiful place? I'd love to see how you speed stitch. I am working down my to do list but I want to do some handpiecing in the not too distant future.
ReplyDeleteThought I'd lost my mind there for a sec when the quilt moved..lol.
ReplyDeleteI use Guttermann thread and wax it before EPP-ing but I have still been getting knots, doesn't usually happen when binding.
Ohh I just ordered some of this to try as my thread kept knotting When hand piecing, hope it helps. Your quilt looks fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see a speed-whipstitch movie!
ReplyDelete(Oh what has become of my life?!)
Yes please - YouTube video definitely in order!
ReplyDeleteI love Aurfil thread. I switched to Aurfil about a year ago and I buy nothing else. Machine and handwork.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that. I have tried to do more than one stitch together before and it always went wrong so this piece of info is going to be very useful. I get very frustrated one stitch at a time!
ReplyDeleteMy absolute favorite thread in the world! I wish I had a nickel for every spool I've gone through in my quilting career! I'd sorta be rich! LOL
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of Aurifil threads too. 50wt is excellent for piecing by hand or machine. Harder to get in Australia though. P.S The two spools look so relaxed by the pool.
ReplyDeleteI tried loading several stitches just the other day. I could see it would be great, but it just didn't work reliably, even or maybe because I'd waxed it. But I wasn't using Aurifil, which I will try asap. Did you was your thread for hand sewing?
ReplyDeleteOh please do show how you speed whip stitch!
ReplyDeletelove, love Aurifil thread, it is really good for doing needleturn applique as well and because the thread is strong but fine you don't see the stitches, it just sinks into the fabric. I too would highly recommend it.
ReplyDeleteCool dude in the last pic;)
ReplyDeleteLove the moving quilt!!
I love your cool picture of the quilt blowing in the breeze. How did you do that!
ReplyDeleteOMG, your technical talents abound - now you have a Portuguese breeze blowing on your blog!! And wow, that is one handsome agent draped in your hexie quilt top!
ReplyDeleteI love the quilt but I was also thrilled with your "moving picture" - how did you do that?
ReplyDeleteFrom a fellow Aurifil addict! LOve that quilt in the breeze, very clever!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see your speed stitching technique for sure! Funnily enough i just ordered my first order of this aurifil thread yesterday and can't wait to try it out.
ReplyDeleteLOVE Aurifil!!!! Love the kits of threads that hold 12 large spools of thread! Now I want to try these weights, as I have been using the quilting weight?
ReplyDeleteI was so happy to see my LQS carries Aurifil. I definitely want to see how you speed whip stitch! I prefer mattress stitch to bind but I always need faster ways to accomplish something. That spare time can be used for more sewing. Lol!
ReplyDeleteCool I'm piecing a quilt right now and will try this! For handquilting you still use the traditional 1 strand?
ReplyDeleteI love hand piecing with Aurifil. I switched to it for my latest hand pieced top and it really makes SO much difference to the whole experience. Plus the seams are even more invisible.
ReplyDeleteOk never mind Aurifil how do get that flapping quilt on your blog!??
ReplyDeleteI bought some Aurifil to try but it looks so pretty I haven't opened the packaging yet!Sigh!
I just used some red Aurifil 50 wt cotton thread to machine quilt a placemat. By using the recommended size 12 needle, I got nice even stitches on the front and back, no tension problems at all. I chose to use this thread because the manufacturer says that it is “Perfect for (machine) quilting that creates texture when you don’t necessarily want to see the quilting lines”, but I suppose that is if you choose the same color thread as the fabric. I didn’t want to quilt with white thread over my red star. The red quilting really isn’t very visible over the red fabric, but stands out too much over the white background fabric.
ReplyDeleteLove your breezy quilt and background :) Would love to see your speed whipstitch!
ReplyDeleteHow did you do the 'quilt in the breeze' thing?!! So clever! I'm going to look out for some Aurifil 50 at Harrogate next weekend - it's going on the shopping list!
ReplyDelete