Your Key To Quilting Success: Aurifil + OLFA

We are teaming up with our friends at OLFA for a fabulous monthly series that will answer all sorts of questions about OLFA tools & Aurifil threads. Whether you’re just getting started, looking for specific answers, or are interested in key tips and tricks, this series is for you!

Grab the details you need, send the link to a friend, and always feel free to share your questions — we’re here to help! Want these details and more sent directly to your inbox? Subscribe to our newsletters via the buttons below.

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Hand Stitching Best Practices

Make sure the eye of the needle is large enough to accommodate the weight of thread you are working with. For 80wt, 50wt or 40wt try straw, milliner, or sharps needles in size 10 or 11. For Forty3, 28wt and 12wt try crewel or embroidery needles in size 5.
Stitch with the nap of the thread by knotting the last end cut and threading the needle with the opposite end.
Thread the needle with a short length of thread, approximately 12-15”, or roughly the length of your forearm.

L: Brigitte Heitland | R: Natalie Barnes

Every few stitches, slide the fold of the thread along the eye of the needle to a new spot to avoid weakening the thread by repeatedly stitching with the fold in the same area.
Occasionally drop the needle to release stitching twists that develop through the simple practice of hand stitching. This will reduce the chance of a small twist snapping, shredding, or knotting the thread.
Avoid excessive tugging on the stitches. Simply pull gently to achieve the desired tension.

find hand stitching threads via shop aurifil

OLFA: Using a cutter properly is the key to safe cutting, Part 3

Adjust your cutting surface height so that you are looking down on the lines of your ruler and can cut accurately without having to readjust. Sitting while cutting isn’t recommended.
Stand up and maintain good posture. To reduce stress on your arms and back, especially when cutting many pieces, try bending from your hips. Bending over a cutting surface that is too low will cause fatigue in your arms, shoulders, and back.