One of our very favorite things about International Quilt Market in Houston, TX last month was the official launch of our brand new 80wt thread! Yes, you read that right! 100% Cotton 80wt Thread from Aurifil is here!
We’ve seen terrific feedback from shop owners, designers and industry experts and feel strongly that this will be your new go-to for Free Motion Quilting, Machine Embroidery, Free Motion Couching, English Paper Piecing, Hand Appliqué, Machine Appliqué, and more!
Wound on cherry wood spool bases, the 80wt comes in a total of 88 colors. For access to a pdf color chart, please click on the image below.
EXPERIMENTING WITH AURIFIL 80WT
Before launching a brand new thread weight, we wanted to test it out with some of our trusted experts, our Aurifil Designers. We sent samples of the 80wt out to a range of designers to play with the thread, create with it, and send us some feedback. We were thrilled with the responses and loved hearing about all of the new ways these talented creatives were using the thread. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just for hand work! There are so many other wonderful ways to use this strong, yet fine, thread.
SHEENA NORQUAY:
The sample pictured above was prepared by Aurifil Designer and master quilter, Sheena Norquay. She wanted to experiment with the 80wt, to stretch it to the limits and see what it could do. She used Oakshott Cotton fabric and Hobbs Tuscany Wool Batting. We had this piece on display in our Market booth and love that it shows such a wonderful range of techniques for the 80wt.
- Line 1: Couched acrylic yarn using black 2692 and couching foot no. 21 on Bernina 1090 machine
- Lines 2, 3, & 13 – 18: Decorative stitches on Bernina 1090 machine.
- Line 4: Couched acrylic yarn using blue 5007 and couching foot no. 21 on Bernina machine 1008.
- Lines 5 – 10: Free motion quilted on Bernina 1008
- Lines 11 -12: Hand quilted
- Lines 19 -22: Straight stitching and zig zag stitching using walking foot on Bernina Activa 230
- Lines 23 and 24: Free motion couching using acrylic yarn and black no. 80 thread on Bernina Activa 135
- Top 80: Free motion quilted on Bernina 1008
- Centre 80 – hand quilted
- Bottom 80 – free motion quilted on to layer of wadding and then outlined on Bernina 1008
- Right hand side – doodling using free motion quilting on Bernina Activa 135.
Sheena’s Wave Bird was free motion couched on a Bernina Activa 135 using Aurifil 80wt in #2725 bright blue.
The wave was quilted using the walking foot on a Bernina Activa 230 and the same #2725. The radiating lines were twin needled using the walking foot with both #2725 and #2605 grey. The free motion quilting between the twin needled lines was done with #5007 on a Bernina 1008. Another example example of the range of the 80wt.
SEW4HOME:
We turned to Sew4Home for additional feedback and they were more than happy to try the 80wt for Machine Embroidery. In their words: “With the super fine Aurifil 80wt, the complexity of the stitches possible in a small area is astounding.”
We were blown away by the stunning projects that they created, including the Lion Head Machine Embroidered Mini Tote (shown above), the Autumn Leaves Machine Cross Stitch Placemats & Napkins and the Gingham Fruit Machine Appliqué Kitchen Towels (both shown below).
We had a chance to chat with Liz Johnson, Sew4Home editor, while at Quilt Market.
ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK:
“Aurifil’s 80wt is so fine it’s like silk.” – Amy Sinibaldi, Nana Company
“Aurifil’s 80wt is great for hand appliqué!” – Pat Sloan
“I am beyond excited about your new thread. It will be the only thread I carry on my website, once I’m able to order it.” – Anne Sutton, Bunny Hill Designs
“I do not do a lot of hand sewing or needle-turned appliqué but this would be my go to thread for light-duty sewing projects where you wanted to hide the stitching.“ – Sharon Holland
“The 80wt is really nice for machine appliqué. I have always used 50 weight but the 80 weight gave me a much more hand appliquéd look. I was able to use a smaller needle and that meant smaller needle holes as well!” – Elizabeth Phillips of Island Batik
WHERE TO FIND IT:
Aurifil’s brand new 80wt thread will be available at your local quilt shop starting in December. We are just starting to ship out displays and stock. There are a few locations that did receive the thread early as a part of our market research, so you may wish to take a peek at Fat Quarter Shop & Sew Inspired.
What excites you most about the 80wt? What would you plan to make? We can’t wait to see what you do!