Sew it With Aurifil

Hello, I'm Trudi and you can usually find me blogging over at Quilting Prolifically, where there is either copious amounts of quilting or fabric buying going on!

So, Lynne asked for ideas of how to use the Bari J Splendor 1920 12wt box of Aurifil Threads, and immediately I knew it had to be something that was free motion quilted, no piecing, just letting the thread do the talking!  As I just happened to have acquired a fat quarter bundle or two of the full range of Splendor 1920, I was not short of inspiration.


First thing was to order in the supplies, a little Art Gallery Fabric Pure Elements in Nocturnal (fabulous name for a colour don't you think?),


some needles, and I chose the Superior Threads Titanium coated needles which I got from Justine at Simply Solids.  I have used these on the frame before, and know they were definitely perfect as this is a pack containing a range of needle sizes, perfect for a task like this where I'll be using different weights of thread

some additional Aurifil Mako 50 wt in # 2784 to match the Nocturnal


some fusible fleece - oooh, if you haven't tried it, do, it was a revelation for me!

There is one particular fabric that kept catching my eye, so I used this as the inspiration, but I decided I needed to practice the pattern first before tackling it ...



It also meant I could have a good play with all the colours in the box too!  Just like a new box of crayons!



so, once I was happy, I set about making my cushion.  What, a cushion? I hear you shout!  I know, but this needed to be a manageable project ...

... fused the fleece to the Nocturnal, and added a backing fabric, pinning round the edges to hold the layers together ...




and set to with the machine ... I used a 16/100 size needle for the FMQing, as in my experience you need the eye of the needle to be 3 times the width of the thread to allow it to move through smoothly and unhindered.  These top stitch needles have a longer eye and a deeper groove in the shaft to accommodate the thread ...


It didn't take too long before the front of the cushion was done ... and I was having way too much fun, so I changed my needle to 10/70 a very fine needle and the thread to the 50 wt Aurifil... and duly quilted the back too.



Thanks to the marvellous (and might I say, very timely)  tutorials on cushions by Katy, I was able to create my cushion in no time at all!



I do love Aurifil, and it is my choice of thread for piecing at 50 wt all the time.  I must say, that these 12 wt threads behaved beautifully in the machine, I used a 50 wt Aurfil in the bobbin and only reduced the top tension to compensate for the thread thickness.  The colours are just stunning and vibrant against the Nocturnal Art Gallery Fabric, and the sheen on the thread makes the whole project just
shine.



I'm really rather pleased with my cushion, I knew these Aurifil threads would not disappoint, and they don't.




Thanks to Lynne for having such faith in me for the giveaway, and to Aurifil threads for making the job of a quilter so much easier and more beautiful. Thanks also to Bari J for providing the inspiration too!

Comments

  1. that is quite simply breath taking....i can only dream

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  2. I have seen this cushion and the threads are really luminous and make Trudi's exquisite quilting stand out. It is a truly beautiful cushion. Di x

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  3. A stunning use of the threads, really beautiful.
    I have just finished quilting a whole quilt in Aurifil having only read about it on blogs and I can honestly say that I'm a convert. Love it.

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  4. Oooh lovely, but to be honest I reckon you (Trudi) could quilt with some skanky old brown polyester and it would still look amazing xxx

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  5. Absolutely stunning! You've got such a good eye for colour and design and a talent for quilting - it's a good job you're lovely with it!

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  6. Oh that is rather gorgeous, no wonder they leapt when you offered to FMQ with it!

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  7. Your pillow is exquisite...the quilting is so beautiful!

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  8. What Hadley said! Yes Trudi, you are way to clever. I love this cushion - just stunning...and the threads are just beautiful too.

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  9. Flamin' Nora! You're a bit good, you know. That is so pretty, Trood!

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  10. Flamed out peacock feathers which I love. Great inspiration. I've been waning to move to feathers. Pinning.

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  11. beautiful job on the pillow...I just go my longarm...and am anxious to try more threads...It came in on Friday; and I am just playing with the Sighnature cotton right now; getting used to the machine. But want to get those Aurifil in there...they are so pretty.

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  12. Seriously Trudi, you are one talented chicka!

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  13. So pretty! and thank you for all of the explanations about thread and needles.

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  14. I remember seeing these on IG, still stunning, love the info about the eye of the needle and thickness of the thread too

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  15. So lovely ~ you've got talent!

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  16. Great tips on the needles and stuff, and lovely quilting as always!

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  17. Such beautiful quilting! I hope to be that good someday!

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  18. I love the look of machine quilting with the 12 wt thread. I bet it would work for hand quilting too. The pillow is stunning!

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  19. Beautiful pillow! I appreciate the info about the needle size to accommodate the thicker thread. Good to know.

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  20. Zowee! That's some amazing quilting there, girl! Love it. Thank you for showing me what the 12 wt thread could do!

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  21. Really gorgeous! That thread looks remarkable. I really need to try it!
    Thanks for sharing.
    Jan

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  22. Stunning Trudi! Thanks for the tips too!

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  23. Stunning, Lynne! I love that design. The Art Gallery Pure Elements are so beautiful and with the Aurifil....WOW! You did an amazing job. Love it and thank you for the info! XXX

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  24. Aurifil always looks great, but with your free-motion quilting it really looks spectacular. Love it. Inspirational project. And, yummy threadpack too!

    SewCalGal
    www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

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  25. Wow, that is incredible. I can't sew or quilt and have only tried FMQ once at Lynne's so I am gobsmacked by what you have done.

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  26. Those colours are just amazing! Beautiful!

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  27. NICE! I'm FMQing right now (well not this exact minute) with Aurifil 50 weight, and have also used the 40 weight in a lovely variegated.

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  28. Absolutely stunning.
    I love those peacock feathers - Trudi is like the Jedi Master.

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  29. Where can you get these threads in the UK?

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  30. Just lovely!
    Thanks for sharing!

    msstitcher1948@yaahoo.com

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  31. I'm just aching to get my hands on those 12wt threads!

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  32. feathers are fabulous aren't they!!

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  33. Love the cushion. Your tutorial is very easy to follow. Thank you for showing us how to use the #12 Aurifil with FMQ. I will feel much more comfortable using this size. Following your blog. Hope to see many more great tutorials.
    Sewsck@gmail.com

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  34. Wow your work is stunning made even more stunning with beautiful thread!

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  35. Trudi you have some amazing FMQing skills! Love your new cushion.
    Amanda

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  36. Absolutely adoring this FMQ design. Beautiful. I've just ventured in this direction myself and I would love to free motion at this standard one day in the next century! X

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  37. Okay so I'm interested in this 'needle 3 times bigger' deal. How do you tell what size needle you need?? I use 12/80 a bunch but I have no idea what to compare it to on the thread.
    Great project by the way! You are a fabulous quilter Trudi!

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