The threads for Amanda Murphy‘s debut Aurifil collections were selected to coincide with Sewing Room, her 4th Benartex collection which debuted at Bernina University this month as well as her Spring Market release, Feathers & Flourishes. The large box features a variety of 50wt threads in addition to Aurifil’s clear monofilament thread, Amanda’s choices for both piecing and quilting. The small box features her top choices in both 12wt & 28wt, making it an excellent sampler for anyone looking to try appliqué with heavier weight threads.
To learn more about Sewing Room over on Amanda’s blog, click here.
THREAD COLLECTION DETAILS
Amanda Murphy’s Piecing and Quilting Collection
100% Aurifil Cotton
Large
50wt (1422yds each, 11 colors, Large Spools):
2250 – 5017 – 2886 – 1128 – 5006 – 5007 – 2440 – 2225 – 2785 – 2600 – 2021
Clear Monofilament (1094yds, Large Spool)
Small
12wt (54yds each, 2 colors, Small Spools): 1114 – 2021
28wt (109yds each, 8 colors, Small Spools):
5005 – 2425 – 2225 – 2720 – 2250 – 5017 – 2620 – 2785
To view this info on our website, click the images above. For purchasing, please contact your local Aurifil Dealer.
THE INTERVIEW
What first drew you to this fabulously creative world of textiles?
I always loved both drawing and sewing so it was a natural fit. I also liked math in school and love the process of figuring out how to put challenging designs into repeat.
Do you remember the first quilt that you made and how you felt once it was complete?
I made a tree skirt on pre-quilted fabric while in grade school. It had three dimensional angels on it. I decorated all of their faces using makeup and made their hair out of braided yarn. An art quilt – if we are being VERY generous!
What is your absolute favorite part about creating a quilt?
I’m torn on this one. I really love figuring out the color variations that are possible using the computer, and then seeing the colors come together with fabric. But I ALSO love machine quilting. I am a spokesperson for the BERNINA Q Series and love to teach free motion quilting on these and other domestic BERNINAs at BERNINA dealerships throughout the country!
When did you first start writing patterns and how has that changed the creative process for you?
I started both at around the same time so it hasn’t changed the process much. I always have quilts in mind while designing and go back and forth between designing fabric and patterns so I can check the scale and color of the fabrics and test how they work together. I like figuring out how to make what I draw so I enjoy pattern writing as well. Switching from right to left brain and back again keeps things interesting!
How did you first connect with Benartex and what do you love most about fabric design?
I’m extremely lucky to be working with Benartex because I just love the people – things naturally fell into place there through various contacts I had in the industry and just a gut feeling really. And fabric design… well I love color obviously but I also love being able to see the ideas behind the prints come to life. I guess my favorite part would be the the little surprises that happen during the creative process. A collection never ever turns out exactly the way I envision it in the beginning but it is the little “mistakes” that happen along the way that you learn to go with because that is what makes the fabric come to life and it is also what gives it personality.
Can you tell us a little bit about your latest collection? Do you have a favorite print?
Sewing Room! It is a celebration of all things sewing! Can I pick two prints? It would have to be the sewing machines and Aurifil thread spools!
What is your favorite project made with the fabrics from this new line?
Sewing Room Sampler is my favorite pattern I’ve ever done! (It is releasing this coming week.) It is a modern block-of-the-month with large buttons, scissors, and ironing board, a sewing machine – you get the idea! It was so fun to piece!
A close second would be my S is for Sew pattern which features appliqué that is optionally done “in the hoop”. It is also releasing this coming week. I like to use 28 wt. Aurifil thread for my appliqué so my Aurifil Appliqué Collection is a perfect companion to it!
How did you first discover Aurifil and what do you love most about it?
I first discovered it a few years ago at Quilt Market. I love its dependability and wide range of colors. It runs through my machines beautifully with almost no lint build-up.
How did you go about selecting colors and weights for this collection?
I selected Aurifil 50 wt. large spools of thread for the Piecing and Quilting Collection, plus one spool of monofilament. I use Aurifil 50 wt. for piecing and quilting so I choose a range of colors that go with my collections.
My Appliqué Collection is composed of eight smaller spools of 28 wt. thread that coordinate with my collections. It allows you to try machine appliqué with thicker threads for a really reasonable price, even if your local shop doesn’t usually stock the full linethicker threads. It also includes two 12 wt. threads that I use for stems on appliqué projects during a triple stitch on the machine. Beware applique-rs out there – you will become addicted like I did!
The Piecing and Quilting Collection includes a spool of Aurifil Monofilment thread. Can you tell us a little more about why it was important to include it?
It seems like I’m always quilting for a specific collection on a deadline – usually multiple quilts in the weeks leading up to Quilt Market or BERNINA University. I love quilting in Aurifiil 50 wt. cotton as well but Aurifil Monofilament is my “go-to” if I don’t have time to change colors. It pairs perfectly with Aurifil 28 wt. in the bobbin on my BERNINA long arm, 580, and 780! (Tip: I like to use a thread stand when working with monofilament on a domestic machine.)
Detail shots of “Sewing Room Sampler”, quilted with Aurifil monofilament with 50 wt. in the bobbin.
Do you have a favorite color weight?
For quilting and piecing: 50 wt.
For applique: 28 wt.
For mimicking hand embroidery on my sewing machine: 12 wt.
Favorite color: 5006 Light Turquoise!!!
What advice would you give to a designer just starting out?
To do what you love and don’t worry what other people are doing. And to embrace your “creative mistakes” and see where they take you. Enjoy the process!
THE GIVEAWAY
Click here to enter-to-win 1 Large Piecing and Quilting Collection and one pattern bundle by Amanda Murphy Design (Including ‘S’ is for Sew!, Sewing Room Sampler & Sewing Garden), or simply click on the image above. You do not have to complete all the options to be entered but the more options you choose, the more entries you have! Entries will be accepted from now through 11:59pm Eastern Time on Saturday, July 30! Winner will be randomly selected and announced here on Sunday, July 31. Good luck!
UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Laura Parsons!!
ABOUT AMANDA
Website — Blog — Facebook — Instagram — Pinterest — Twitter — YouTube
Always attracted to color, texture, and pattern, Amanda Murphy has been designing, drawing, and sewing since she was a child. She graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a bachelor of fine arts degree and worked as a graphic designer and art director in Alexandria, Virginia, and New York City. After moving to North Carolina with her family Amanda discovered quilting, an art that marries her passion for design with her enthusiasm for handwork. As she gradually expanded her knowledge of sewing and quilting techniques and combined them with the ideas she had been sketching over the years, Amanda Murphy Design was born.
Amanda markets her own full-color pattern line under the Amanda Murphy Design label and has designed several fabric collections. Her fourth collection with Benartex will debut in Summer 2016.
[For more, please visit Amanda’s website]
** Images and all biographical text are courtesy of Amanda Murphy.
Ooh, tough choice with regards to fabrics, but think I like “embroidery white.”😊😊
I love the print with the dresses on it as well as the one with all the cutting tools! So fun to see all the different styles and tools!
My favorite print from this collection would be the sewing machine print.
I love the detail in all the prints, particularly the sewing machine print.
My fav fabric in this line in medallions black.
I’m loving the sewing machinces in black!!! Thank you.
This fabric line is fabulous. Looks like I’ll be online shopping for this one (as my LQS have limited fabric selection – one of which only carries batiks!). I do look forward to making some projects, especially with Sewing Machines Black . Thanks for the giveaway.
Pins – Periwinkle Blue!
It’s great to find an expert who can expialn things so well
My favorite is the tape measure black.
My favorite is the Sewing Room- what a wonderful print for all sewers & quilters-love the spools of thread-great fabric & colors!
I like Buttons in Aqua, thanks!
Wonderful fabric – I love them all – I choose pins in green!
This is such a fun collection of fabrics! My favorite one is Tape Measure in black. I’d love to sew with it all!
I really like it all but really love the spools of thread.
I really like the Pins design!
I like sewing fabric. Medallions Black was my favorite.
I’m having a hard time with applique but after reading this I’ll have to give it another go, because I really like Amanda Murphy’s work. Who knows, I might become an addict.
I like all the designs in Amanda’s new line but I really like the Pins design. Thanks for the chance to win.
I like scissors in aqua and tape measure in black. Can’t decide which one is my favorite.
I think I like them all, but scissors in green is really my style.
Lots of pretty fabrics to choose from spools on Aqua
I like the pins, all colors.
My favorite is the embroidery.
I love the embroidery with the black background but the periwinkle background is also up at the top. Great fabric and patterns.
What a super cute line – tough to choose one, but I really like the Scissors in Aqua!
Too cute!!! I like the Medallions Aqua and Embroidery White:)
What a wonderfull BOM this is – mayby ……..
The pins in green is my choice. Love it all though!
I really like the thread spools–and the quilt pattern is great!
So many gorgeous designs but my favorite is the sewing machines black!
This line is fantastic. I really like the Whiteworks, especially the light grey one.
What a fun way to celebrate sewing/sewists/quilters – artists all! Love the spools fabric too.
The periwinkle color is gorgeous, but the fun sewing theme is the best!
A fun collection, and I especially like the sewing spools design.
Ohhhhh…I would LOVE to win this!
I love the Sewing Room Sampler — nice use of fabric and threads.
I like everything, but if I must pick one, it would be the “Scissors Green”.
I love Whitework in white – it’s gorgeous
Love the Pins in red–I have a lot of places I am going to use this fun, sparkly print.
Scissors in Aqua….all are so cute!
Nice post. I study one thing on totally different blogs everyday. It should always be stlimuating to read content from different writers and observe a little bit something from their blog.
Such a talented designer. Her color choices speak to me. I love Buttons in Aqua Blue.
Lovely colors!
I like the buttons fabric in any of the colors!
I like them all, but the Aurifil spools are my favorite.
Mine is ‘sewing machine black’
I Like the sewing. Machine fabric.
Cute collection, and the Sewing room quilt is sweet. I love the ironing board and all the buttons. My favorite fabric is spools on pink, pins on red, and the dresses prints. Really cute collection.
My favourite print is Buttons in Aqua Blue. Sewing Room is such a fun collection!
I like the red pins!
Spools of thread most definitely
thread spools in pink.but really love it all
It’s a fun collection, and I like the embroidery in red and the sewing machines in both red and black.
Medallions Aqua is my very favorite! but, then. all her collections are the best!
HI,my favorite is “Embroidered White”! Thanks for designing a neat collection!
When you think about it, that’s got to be the right anrwes.
I love the sewing machine print. Thank you so much!
I love the pink spools print.
I absolutely love the sewing machines and Aurifil thread spools fabric, as well as the new Aurifil thread collections and patterns. Total #CreativeGoodness
What a verrrrry hard choice to pick ONE! ARRRRRGH! giggle… Had to choose the “Sewing Machines” in Black …has a bit of many of the others in it! 🙂 LOVE every single print too…
Thank you for chance to win this Awesome Give-a-way too! 😀
Embroidery White….very sweet collection!
I love the embroidery red and the whitework aqua! The whole collection is beautiful, I can’t wait to get some and the new quilt pattern! Thanks so much!
Such a great collection, it was hard to choose a favorite but I think the sewing machines on the red background is it!
I love the print with the fat spools – look like Aurifil to me.
I love Scissors-green. The whole fabric line is wonderful and you patterns look fun to do.
What a special fabric and thread collection! The spools and sewing machines are my favorites as well. I’d love to try the heavier weight thread for applique. Thank you for a great prize!
I love the scissors in green
My favorite is the sewing machines in red!
I love your sewing room prints. Can’t pick a favorite. I want them all!
I like so many of the fabrics but maybe Buttons Aqua Blue or the Periwinkle Dresses. All are adorable.
I like ‘Spools’ – so cute!
How can I just choose one! Love the Medallions Black.
Wow…that’s a hard one. I really like Spools White……..and Medallions Aqua and Pins Aqua and Buttons Aqua Blue and Dresses….and……
Buttons is black caught my eye!
They are all lovely, but I will say Embroidery Black is my favorite.
Amanda is such an inspiration, I love Sewing Room.
They are all so cute. Love the medallions in Black.
The Medallions Black really caught my eye! All the prints are great!
I love Pins Aqua and Periwinkle Blue! Beautiful collection
WHITEWORK WHITE is my favorite.
I love the ‘pins red’ and the ‘medallions black’. Loving your patterns.
I really like the pins aqua and medallions black but really there is not one that I don’t like
My favorite is the periwinkle pins print.
The black buttons is pretty cute fabric, I must choose this….but its all darling fabrics!
I love the Embroidery print, in periwinkle. I’m just planning a new sewing room and will have to use the new pattern and this fabric for a wall quilt. Thanks
My favorite is definitely sewing machines black!
I love geometric prints, so the Pins prints are my favorite, though I like the Medallions and Spools prints, too
My favorite print is the Embroidery on White, followed by either of the tape measure prints! A fun collection in total.
I love the Pins Periwinkle Blue – but it was a hard choice to make. Thanks!
Such a fun line of fabrics! I think my favorite is “Pins in Aqua”
There are so many wonderful prints in that fabric line. I think my favourite is sewing machines on black, followed closely by tape measures on black.
Thanks for the chance to win what sounds like a great bundle.
Cute, cute, cute. I think my favorite is Spools on White. Thank you, peterstankovich@comcast.net
I was so lucky to have seen all of this at BU. The entire collection is gorgeous!!
I love the spools and anything aqua!
Love the Embroidery in Black!
Very cute, interesting new designer. I like well ok I love the fabric line. A fresh look at sewing novelty fabrics. I like the sewing machines
Spools White! And I am so excited to finally see someone have the monofilament in their thread collection.
I love the Pins in periwinkle blue.
Ljridge4511 (at) Gmail (dot) com
Impossible to pick just one. I think the pins print is ingenious! I also like the dresses, medallions and white work prints! I can’t wait to work with ghe 28 wt threads. By the way, I love your Free Motion book, Amanda. I was practicing with it a few days ago. It is a terrificly helpful book. Your Christmas fabric group is beautiful too.
The prints are all delightful! My favorite is pins in Periwinkle. Thanks for this generous giveaway!
My favorite is the Bernina sewing machine fabric, and I need to get some in my stash.
I like the “Pins”print in aqua
Loving this line of fabric!! Love buttons, so the buttons on black are my fav. Love the way they pop off the black. 🙂
craftyccain@gmail.com
Sewing Machines in Red is really cute since I have a Bernina too and love it!
It’s hard to pick just one. I love the buttons and scissors in Aqua. But I also like the embroidery and dresses in periwinkle.
Tough one!! Tape measure in black is nice with the Blues & greens, but I like Pins in Periwinkle too. They’re all so pretty!
I love embroidery white. It would make such a cute sampler.
I love the Pins prints, especially in Periwinkle. Thanks for the giveaway!
I think Medallions in aqua is so pretty!
It was extremely hard to pick a “fav”! I love the spools! So adorable in any of the colors! The whole line is wonderful! Thanks for the chance to win! You have a Canadian fan!
I love dresses in red! Fabulous fabric!
How beautiful they are! I love all colors of Embroidery and Scissors!
Jackie
How does one become a rep/ambassador for these companies?
Love the Sewing Room fabric and thread set.
Love the buttons in black.
The spools on white are my personal favourite. Thanks for the chance to win!
I thought everything was great but really liked the WHITEWORK LIGHT AQUA.
gandn74@ymail.com
The Aurifil Thread Spools are just too fun…my favorite in Amanda’s collection.
Embroidery in periwinkle is my favorite.
Love it all!!!
I love buttons, any color shape or size and I absolutely fell in love with the Buttons Aqua Blue Facric!
Buttons in black would be my favorite.. I’ve collected buttons since I was a child.
Seeing machines red is my favorite print!
The sewing machine is sooooo great
Oh, boy. I kept changing my mind on my favorite. It’s a tie between those great Aurifil spools and the pins in periwinkle. Thanks for the great giveaway opportunity!
I really like all the colors in the”pins “. I like the sewing machines also as I have a BERNINA too!
I like Spools White – so cute.
Love the sewing machines….i have started collecting sewing machine prints… happyness04431@yahoo.com
My favorite print is Pins in Blue.
I like the scissors and the measuring tapes.
The pins prints are definitely my top pick. Beautiful fabric and thread colors!
I love the sewing machines, any color
The sewing machines are my favorite, but I like them all.