Welcome to another inspiring showcase of creativity and craftsmanship from our talented Aurifil Artisans! This month, we’re thrilled to present a collection of projects that exemplify the art of visible mending and upcycling, all brought to life with the assistance of Aurifil Threads.
In a world where disposable culture often reigns supreme, there’s something truly magical about giving new purpose to beloved items. Our Artisans have taken this ethos to heart, letting their imaginations soar as they breathe fresh vitality into cherished pieces that hold sentimental value. From worn-out garments to vintage treasures and everything in between, each project in the February Artisan Challenge showcase is a testament to the power of creativity and resourcefulness. Our Aurifil Artisans have redefined the notion of mending and upcycling.
We extend a heartfelt expression of gratitude to all the participants who have made the February challenge into a dazzling success.
Debbie Jeske
When I saw that February’s Aurifil Artisan challenge was to upcycle, I immediately thought of the Sotak Handmade @sotakhandmade video tutorial “Learn How to Turn a Pair of Old Jeans into a Stylish Tote Bag.” I actually had a pair of old jeans stashed for an upcycling project of some sort, so that was perfect. Thread, of course, was a key consideration, and I knew it was a good chance to use Aurifil’s Forty3, a 40wt/3ply thread. Made for use in longarm machines, garment sewing is another of its suggested uses, and with 40wt in the bobbin, the pair worked wonderfully on this project.
Aurifil Thread used: Forty3 [2360], 40wt [2360]
Irina Malyukova
This month, the Aurifil Artisan Challenge is centered around the theme of upcycling, a topic that is not only important to me personally but also essential for our planet’s well-being. My upcycling project involved transforming scraps of old jeans, fabric from the Recycling centre, bits of leather from an old bag, and labels from the jeans into a unique and functional pouch. By combining these seemingly disparate materials, I was able to create a one-of-a-kind, environmentally friendly piece that can be easily turned into a shoulder bag by adding a strap.
Aurifil Thread used:
50wt 1246 Dark Grey for piecing and hand appliqueing the pocket; 40wt 2311 Muslin for machine quilting; 40wt 2735 Medium Blue for hand stitching zipper; 40wt 2325 Linen for attaching labels by hand and decorative hand stitching on the pocket;12wt 2390 Cinnamon Toast for “sashiko style” hand stitching.
Maude MacDonald
Upcycle towels with Maude, the Retro Quilter! She shows you how to adorn and extend towels for some fun retro quilty goodness!
Aurifil Thread used: 50wt: 2026, Floss 5015, 8wt: 2240, 12wt: 8530
Aimee Hagedorn
An upcycled sew-on patch is the perfect way to use fabric scraps! Here I saved the words from designer Sarah Watts to add color and meaning to my denim jacket. From her “August” collection for Cotton + Steel.
Aurifil Threads used: Aurifloss in 2215, 2810, & 2270
Annie Tremblay
This apron was fun to make but It also has meaning. I made it with jeans that could no longer be worn from each member of my family. Jeans are a great medium to use but I would recommend using a stronger thread and a jeans needle. I used 40wt/3ply for piecing but I also gave it a finishing touch with this beautiful variegated floss in 4669. Isn’t it the perfect match?
Aurifil Thread used: Floss in 4669, 40/3 in 2024
Amelia Ellen
Here is my upcycled jacket. I bought this off ebay and it had many holes in it. I used the EPP to patch up all of the holes. I used 80wt in 2615 to piece the EPP and 50wt variegated thread in 4654 to zig zag the denim patches on the inside.
Aurifil Thread used: 80wt 2615 and 50wt 4654
Robyn Cuthbertson
This month I chose to upcycle a vintage linen doily which, while beautiful, I had no real use for. I’ve always wanted to play with quilting one of these and I decided it would be fun to mount the final product in a laser cut vase. In the end, I also ended up making a small army of vases featuring scrap silk waste from a local textile plant. The linen vase is quilted in a subtle 80wt thread, allowing the original stitching of the doily to shine. The smaller vases are all quilted in bright 50wt threads, my favourite to work with!
Aurifil Threads used: 80wt 2600 & 50wt (too many colours to list!)
Anorina Morris
The upcycle challenge was a fun one and it saw me turn a tea towel, that I recently purchased on a holiday in New Zealand, into an apron.
Aurifil Threads used: 50wt 6722 & 2270
Lynett Muhaso
Tote bag upcycled into a different kind of bag; a quilted laptop case. I’ve been wanting to make a snug laptop case for the longest of times, and this upcycling challenge finally got me going. Pieced and quilted using Aurifil 40wt thread.
Jordan Gomez
When the plastic, fake leather collar on your favorite blazer disintegrates in the wash, you upcycle denim scraps to create a one-of-a-kind Utility Collar. It offers the professional fashion professor look while giving easy access to tools as I teach.
Aurifil Threads used: 50wt 2140
Alison Carpenter-Hughes
I love a bit of upcycling! This project was a mammoth bit of free motion embroidery creating the tiger on the back of an old and very worn kimono. The Aurifil thread colours look so vibrant against the purple background. As well as adorning the kimono with a design, I also used a vintage scarf, leftover fabric scraps and a sari sampler, which I found the perfect matching threads to sew.
Aurifil Thread used:
2105, 2468, 2120,1133, 2021, 1104, 2455, 1231, 6010, 2510, 2312, 2135, 2545, 2309, 2270, 2692, 2245, 2562, 7000 – 40wt and 50wt
Janine Heschl
Fabric Origami Crane, embroidered with decreased bobbin thread tension to create a cracked porcelain look, enhanced with gold acrylic paint for the Kintsugi effect. Kintsugi is a Japanese repair technique which uses urushi (Japanese lacquer) dusted with powdered gold to restore broken ceramic and porcelain vessels. If you want to create your own Origami Crane just cut your fabric into a square, the smaller the ‘fiddlier’ and embroider it in any way you like. I used 80wt thread here for a subtle design on a 20x20cm square. Apply fabric strengthener with a brush and as it dries start folding. The fabric stays in place really well and if you add varnish once dried, the crane is even suitable for outdoor decorations.
Aurifil Thread used: 80wt
Fiona Johnstone
To upcycle this denim jacket I used some of the Aurifloss to embroider flowers on tulle to use as accent panels. I also used 50wt to piece my patchwork and attach the panels to the jacket. Being able to pick colours to match my favourite fabric was amazing and tied the embroidery into the packwork.
Aurifil Threads used:
Aurifloss: 2135, 5022, 6733, 2530, 2515, 2890. 12wt: 4030, 2430. 50wt: 2610, 2800, 2783, 3840
Vickeidy Plybon
For my upcycling project, I finally tackled a project for my kid, upcycling an old pair of jeans and some stuffing I saved from a recalled baby lounger pillow into this very cute and cuddly stuffed whale. I am so glad to have finally had a push to work on a project I’d been wanting to do this project for ages!
Aurifil Threads used: 50wt 2745 and 2630
Kate Sandford
I was panicking because it’s been a busy month and I didn’t make anything “special” for it. But then I thought WAIT isn’t my #scraprollup upcycling?🤔 I am literally taking fabric that would otherwise be put in the bin, and turning it into a whole new piece of fabric to use in a quilt/bag/clothing whatever! I often take a bag of tiny fabric pieces that other people don’t want and turn it into something new, that’s upcycling, right? I use 50wt 6732 to help reduce bulk in the piecing. It’s strong and reliable 💪 😀. I use a mid grey so you don’t notice it, even though I use all the fabrics in all the colours!
Aurifil Threads used: 50wt 6732
Sarah Harris
Fixing something to be a better fit (cut and style) is a go to of mine for so many reasons. This thrifted tunic never fit just right, but I liked the material and its potential. Starting by slicing up both sides and adding panels made from bonus Giucy Giuce HSTs from an Ingleside Quilt (pattern by Sarah Jean Makes). Hand stitching next to add a binding on the neckline to tie it altogether plus added stitching in 12wt thread to some of the blocks.
Aurifil Threads used: 50wt: 1147, 2692 12wt: 114, 1125, 1246, 1320, 2145, 2692, 2892, 5022, 5023
Devida Bushrod
Beauty from the ashes of a failure – when accidents turn into beautiful pivots.
Aurifil Threads used: 12 wt varigated threads
Zeïba Monod
For February I upcycled a pair of jeans with lots of vibrant colours from African wax fabrics from my stash. I used various methods and threads from EPP to big stitching to embroidery. I love how they turned out and I have to admit I think I will be adding more stitches and fabric to them. Loved giving those jeans a new life.
Aurfil Thread used: Aurifil 80wt 2740, Aurifloss variegated & 12wt in 4657, 4650, 3817,
We encourage you to click through and check out each of these amazing projects in more detail!
Fabulous up cycling!!