Greetings Aurifil followers. I’m Karen L. Miller ~ Redbird Quilt Co., Master Educator and Program Coordinator for Aurifilosophy, here again to celebrate our 6th year of Thread Matters – The Aurifilosopher Series with monthly contributions by our wildly talented and creative Aurifilosophers from across the globe! That’s 6 whole years of inspiring Aurifil thread education! Today, I’m thrilled to shine a light on one of my absolute favorite techniques in hopes you’ll pick up some inspiration along the way!
Is your shop, group or guild looking for insightful, inspiring and educational information on thread? Consider booking a virtual or in-person program with one of our skilled Aurifilosophers. Learn more about Aurifilosophy and find your favorite Aurifilosopher here.
Let’s chat longarm quilting. The Aurifil team is at AQS Paducah this week and we’ve had a blast chatting with hordes of quilters and sewists who adore Aurifil thread. We were pleasantly surprised to discover a large percentage of loyal consumers use Aurifil on their longarm quilting machines. Our key takeaway? Every brand, size, and configuration of longarm machine happily stitches away with a variety of Aurifil thread weights, yielding beautiful cotton sheen on their edge to edge or free motion quilting motifs.
Today, we’re hoping to add to that magic with a few tips and tricks for longarm quilting with Aurifil:
- Mount your Aurifil spool or cone directly under the first overhead thread guide. It’s important that the thread unwind straight up to that first thread guide and not pull to the side.
- If transitioning from a poly or 3ply thread, be sure to reduce the top thread tension to work with the Aurifil 2ply threads. The 2ply threads are a bit thinner than 3ply or poly and don’t require the same amount of tension.
- If the quilt top is attached to both the front roller bar and the back take-up bar, ensure the tension on the quilt top is not “drum tight”. Leave a little play in the quilt top to minimize tension on the thread as it stitches through all layers.
- Be sure to start stitching with a new, appropriately sized needle for your longarm. When using heavier weight threads you’ll need a larger eye. A new needle is the best $1.25 investment you can make in your quilting.
- My machine prefers to have the needle inserted such that the eye is just a smidgen off-center to the right.
- When using Aurifil 40wt, 50wt 2ply, or Aurifil 40wt 3ply thread on top, be sure to load your bobbin with Aurifil 40wt or 50wt 2ply. You can fit ample amount of the Aurifil 2ply thread in the bobbin.
- After winding the bobbin, perform the “drop test” by 1st placing the wound bobbin in the bobbin case and through the tension guides. Next, place the case in the palm of your hand, grab the end of the thread and lift upward. The case should stand up in your hand but the thread should NOT unwind easily – it should give a little resistance before allowing the bobbin thread to unwind. If you need to adjust the tension, follow the directions in the machine guide.
- Some Aurifil designers use the same weight thread in the top and bobbin to keep a consistent tension without adjustments.
- Although Aurifil is “virtually lint free”, it’s impossible to stitch with cotton thread without accumulating lint. Be sure to clean the bobbin area and oil as appropriate every bobbin or so.
If this post has piqued your interest, you may be interested in our 2024 education subscription, Thread Labs 2.0. Educator HollyAnne Knight of String & Story will host our December box all about machine quilting, taking subscribers through best practices and all the tips & tricks needed to successfully quilt your next project at home. For more information, click the button below!
GIVEAWAY
Do you have a favorite longarm tip/trick? Or if you’re just getting started, perhaps you have a question you’ve been dying to ask? Share them below for a chance to win one cone of Aurifil’s Forty3 (40wt 3ply) thread, which was specifically developed to handle the rigor of today’s high-speed, high-tech Longarm machines. Giveaway is open through 11:59pm CST on Sunday, April 28 after which point we’ll select one random winner. Winner will be notified via email!
Bonus Entry: If you are already using Aurifil in your longarm, share your IG or other social handle as a separate comment. Extra entry AND we get to follow along with you. Win win! 🙂
ABOUT KAREN
Karen L. Miller, owner of Redbird Quilt Co. is Master Educator for Aurifil, USA, an Aurifilosopher, national educator, author, and cheerleader of all things free motion quilting. She launched Redbird Quilt Co. to share her love of appliqué and show others how free motion quilting on home sewing machines can bring their projects to life. Karen plays with all weights of Aurifil thread and openly contributes her knowledge and experience to the greater quilting community.
If you’re interested in learning more about free motion quilting on home sewing machines be sure to check out Karen’s website, programs, tutorials, upcoming events and social media feeds. Subscribe to Karen’s Newsletter here.
I just finished quilting a panel with pinwheel borders added to it. As I am not a professional quilter and have a sit down long arm my goal was to just let the panel tell me what to quilt. I change thread to blend with the colors in the fabric. No plan and it was so freeing to quilt like this. No mistakes, haha. It is hanging on my porch outside as the panel was called My Back Porch. Thanks for the tips.
This sounds lovely, Rita. Congratulations! If you post a picture on social media, be sure to tag @aurifilthread and also use hashtags #aurifil #aurifilthread so we can look you up.
When I load a quilt on my longarm, I always try to leave about 4 inches of backing and batting extending past the top on the sides. It helps with keeping my clamps out of the way, but also leaves a space for me to place a scrap of fabric to test my tension on. I look forward to trying Aurifil on my machine.
This is an excellent tip, Shirley — testing the stitch quality, color and tension on the side top is a great way to set your mind at ease before beginning the project. Thank you for sharing. We look forward to seeing anything you stitch with Aurifil on your longarm — have fun with it!
Do these techniques work on sit down machines such as my Bernina Q16? I’ve had it for several years but always hesitate to use it as I find it overwhelming.
Hi Jennie — thanks for the great question. Yes, many of the tips apply to sit-down machines – especially the thread spool/cone alignment, tension adjustments, new needle suggestion, bobbin weight information and cleaning suggestions. I find the best way to get past the overwhelm is by practicing with panels, placemats or quilts prepared for children. You can do this! Give it a go with a few small projects.
I understand your apprehension but take it from me “face your fears”. The sooner you tackle the beautiful beast the sooner it is tamed.
R.E.L.A.X. your shoulders! It’s ok to change the tension on your longarm, whether you own it or rent it.
Great tip Lutzcats!! Overcoming the fear of tension adjustments on our machines opens a new world for us. Thank you for sharing.
I have not tried Aurifil on my long arm but will have to buy a cone and give it a go. I use Aurifil for all my sewing needs.
Cindy — yes!! We’re excited for you to give it a try. You can use a spool or a cone and most any weight of Aurifil will work fine. Cotton has such a beautiful organic sheen and stitches out wonderfully. Please be sure to tag us on social media if you post there. @aurifilthread #aurifil #aurifilthread.
I too have not yet tried Aurifil for my longarm but would like to try. I use Aurifil 50 wt for piecing.
I just used Aurifil mono nylon clear for the first time on a flannel with wool applique quilt. It turned out beautiful. Loosened the top tension a little bit and used the net. Highly recommend!!
It’s comfortable to keep using a thread once you’ve gotten its tension right, but it’s exciting and empowering to explore the variety of threads available. We’ve all heard “my machine likes only …,” but I say “I’m the boss here and this is what I’m trying.”
I just started using Longarm Magic Pins and they are a game changer, also added a laser pointer to my Q20 and it’s a great help!
@kimberj56 and i’m an Aurifil devotee. 👍🏻😊 Can’t wait to try some Forty three!
Do you have a cure for wandering tension? I test my tension before I start and think it’s fine, then look back after quilting a while only to find the back has occasional loops that shouldn’t be there. Then I waste time ripping out a lot of quilting…. Frustration!
My long arm tip is to wind a few bobbins up so you don’t have to stop and wind another when you are in the flow of quilting!
And for an extra chance to grab myself a beautiful treat from Aurifil my Instagram handle is @madewithmadness come and check out my longarm journey as I have only just begun!
I haven’t used the Forty3, but use the 40 & 50 wt for 99% of my sewing! When I have to use another brand for something, I wish I hadn’t.
I love using Aurifil cones on my longarm- I never have tension issues with it! @quitoquilts
How do I know which weight of thread to use with different weight/thicknesses of batting?
Hi Barb, that is a great question. In our experience the weight of thread you choose is independent of the type and layers of batting chosen. We generally recommend Aurifil 50wt for non-utility quilts, wall hangings, table toppers and other display items. For utility quilts, choose Aurifil 40wt/2ply or 40wt/3ply for a bit more strength. Aurifil 28wt looks lovely on quilt tops too. The only thing I may caution is 100% poly thread is a bit harsh on cotton threads. I lean toward using a cotton/poly blend or for increased loft, a wool batting looks lovely. With all that said, if you have several layers of batting you may want to increase the size of your needle to help penetrate through the layers. Please let me know if you have any more questions. Thank you!
I’m totally new to long arm quilting. Looking forward to my new adventure. Tips tricks and hints always welcome.
I h ent tried Aurifil in my Longarm yet but I have definitely learned that my machine is much happier sewing from left to right and I’ve heard the same to be true for many other machines. If you’re getting a lot of thread breaks pay close attention to which direction the machine is sewing when it happens. You’ll be amazed to discover it’s most likely always when the machine is sewing from right to left. It took me a while but once I’d figured that out and set my computerized system to only sew left to right all thread breakage stopped completely!!!!!
I love Aurifil thread in my regular and am excited to try it out on my long arm machine. It is so smooth.
To easily burry thread tails, I use an easy thread needle where the thread snaps into the end.. I can insert the needle into and back out of the fabric and then snap the tails in even if they are short. Then just pull it through.
I have cushioned grips in my handles and keep one of those needles stuck into the foam out of the way of my hands but handy to grab.
Love Aurifil for piecing but never tried your 40wt in my longarm.
My tip is to get a finger mouse or stick mouse and attach it to your longarm handle for using the marking tool! It’s so convenient and fast! I use the marking tool on my automation for ditch quilting, straight lines that are often not actually straight on the quilt top and for eclipsing areas when doing a fill!
I love Aurifil thread. I’ve used the 50/2 for quilting for a long time & I’ll try this thread with my next quilt. I quilt on a domestic machine. Wish I had a longarm machine.
I haven’t used cotton to quilt with ….mainly because most of my free motion instructors recommend poly getting started. Would love to try this new 40wt 3 ply! Karen it was so nice to meet you in Paducah😊
I have used Aurifil #50 for all my piecing. I love the variety of colors and quality of thread. I just recently got a new to me Bernina long arm on a frame. After spending hours learning how to load my quilt I am finally ready to quilt. I definitely want to try Aurifil cone thread and see how it works on the long arm. I would love to try the 40 weight 3 ply.
I am a real newcomer but the 2 things I have learned that have helped me the most are buy a steamer to steam the wrinkles out of the backing as you move it and a light mist of starch on wonky stretched borders will perform magic for that stretch.
I’m a longarm quilter, and almost exclusively use Aurifil for my clients! I never have problems with tension or thread breaks, and aurifil is low lint compared to other cottons. I’ve only used Aurifil #50 for quilting though, I would love to try #40!
@nessielongarmquilting
I would love to win some Aurifil #40 to try!
Just starting out with a long arm. I would love to know the best threads that do not leave fuzz, but a nice stitching on the quilt.
RJ – Of all cotton threads on the market, Aurifil has the least amount of lint. They take special care to minimize lint by singeing, mercerizing and treating the thread in a paraffin oil bath before it is wound on the spools we purchase in the store. Although it’s “virtually lint free” you will need to brush out your bobbin area and oil as needed every 1 or 2 bobbins. I think you’ll love the beautiful cotton sheen and stitches and am excited for you to give it a try.
I love using a sidewinder to wind my bobbins. It’s easy and convenient!
Wind a lot of bobbins before you start a big project.
Aurifil 40-3 is my go to for my long arm, my quilts and my customers. I love how it looks and how it works on my Handi-Quilter.
My Instagram is MaryMackMadeMine. I often post videos, too, of Aurifil 40-3 working on my long arm.