As spring blossoms around us, it’s the ideal moment to add a hint of handmade charm to our wardrobes. This month, our skilled Aurifil Artisans embarked on an inspiring journey to kick-start ‘Me Made May’ with a twist that is both delightful and stylish.
Our Artisans were challenged to create something wearable, whether it was for themselves, a loved one, or even a cherished furry friend. Armed with a palette of vibrant Aurifil Threads, they spun their creativity into stunning garments and accessories. From intricate embroidery to colorful quilting, each project showcases the boundless possibilities of Aurifil Threads. Whether you’re a seasoned maker or new to handmade fashion, there’s something here to ignite your creativity and inspire your next project.
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the Aurifil Artisans who made the April challenge a dazzling success. Your unwavering creativity and enthusiasm to join us month after month are truly appreciated.
Ben Millett
For QuiltCon 2024’s jacket, I decided to use the Aurifil × Tula Pink neon threads with a custom digital quilting path on a custom patchwork design using matching Kona Cotton (Sassy Pink, Cantaloupe, and Key Lime). It was certainly easy to blend into the crowd at QuiltCon.
Aurifil Thread used: 50wt of 7002 (Neon Pink), 7000 (Neon Orange), 7001 (Neon Yellow)
Ama Frimpong
Trying to channel the warmer weather with my latest make! When I saw this fabric, I just knew I had a spool of one my favourite colours at home and it would match beautifully. I made a Bubble Frock top by Lydia Naomi as I think it will be perfect for when the warmer weather finally reaches Montreal.
Aurifil Thread used: 5015 40wt
Candice Odeen
My Oxbow tote is done! I’m so excited about it. Our Aurifil Artisan challenge for the month was to get a jump start on Me Made May by making something wearable. While I haven’t attempted garment making (yet?), I do enjoy a good bag! This was a great prompt to push me outside of my comfort zone and work with both leather *and* heavy wool.
Aurifil Thread used: 40wt in 5004 and 6736 and 28wt in 2155 and 4012
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
The theme for the April Aurifil Artisan Challenge was to make something wearable. Now, garments aren’t completely out of my comfort zone (I sew outfits for the kiddos all the time!), but making something for myself that fits correctly is a little daunting. However, when I found this Cozette Dress pattern by Allis Patterns on Etsy, I completely fell in love and had to make it!
With the long skirt and gathers, the fabric requirements for this pattern were massive, but after scrounging around in my linen cabinet, I found two sets of these gauzy curtains that were just enough width-wise to use! I used 50 wt. thread in shade 2024 – I generally use this thread for piecing in my quilting practice, but it also matched this fabric perfectly. I am so excited to have upcycled this forgotten material into this dress, and the best part is that the only thing I had to purchase was the side zipper! This pattern was easy to adjust to my measurements and the skirt is so forgiving, I love how this turned out. But no one believes me that this dress was made out of curtains!
Aurifil Thread used: 2024 in 50wt
Amelia Ellen
For the April challenge I made this quilted waistcoat using Aurifil threads, I used the floss threads to create embroidery detail that enhanced the floral detail of the fabric. I also decided to share a whole outfit that I have made with Aurifil threads. I love using the threads for garment construction I have made many garments this past year using Aurifil threads. I really love the way I can use the threads and combine my love of quilting and embroidery with my love of making garments.
Aurifil Thread used: For the quilting on the waist coat: 50wt 4651. For the embroidery on the waistcoat: Floss 5022 2026 2153 2252 2809 and 8wt 2840 2420. For the jeans: Construction 40/3wt 2783 And for the top stitching 12wt 5022. For the blouse: All made with 50wt 4651
Janine Heschl
When the prompt for the April @aurifilthread artisan challenge is #wearableart and you can’t sew in a straight line… that’s when you need to create something else wearable: patches! The dandelions have been embroidered on felt (3mm) with Aurifil 40wt and 50wt in free motion on a vintage Singer 107W102. A fun and quick project to jazz up your wardrobe a little or a lot, depending on the size of your patch 😊.
Aurifil Thread used: 40wt, 50wt, 2130, 1135, 2135, 2887, 2888, 5018
Aimee Hagedorn
For the April challenge of creating something wearable, I knew I wanted to attempt for the first time a larger scale, upcycled garment. Transferring a sketch by author and illustrator Ramsingh Urveti to my preloved denim shirt allowed me to embroider this majestic bird onto an otherwise ordinary garment. On the back I used the newly released 8wt thread to add these wise words from Dolly Parton.
Annie Tremblay
I was very excited about this Aurifil Artisan challenge! I wanted to make a new quilt coat for so long. I had the plan to add some double wedding ring blocks to it with the tiny Sprout woven scraps I had in my stash. For the chambray background, I opted for a mix of simple machine and hand quilting using 2311 in 12wt and 50wt. I then added some of the ring design colors in the collar (2345, 2370 and 2930) to add interest. I’m very proud of this jacket but most of all it is super cozy and soft
Aurifil Thread used: 2311 in 50wt and 12wt, 2345 and 2370 in 12 wt, 2930 in 8wt
Jennifer Cannon
Well this was an epic fail! I was inspired last week, to make a beach coverup for the summer and I figured this looked like a simple enough pattern to replicate (without an actual pattern.) I dove into it, taking my time to get all the edges right. I even made a mini version (without the head hole) to make sure I was going to sew it right. Then I put off cutting out the head hole all week. I researched how to add facing, I studied pictures, I watched tutorials & still put it off til the project deadline fully approached & I was forced to proceed with what I thought I learned. (Anyone else put off things because you are positive you will fail at it and then you DO fail at it and wish you’d just done it sooner?)
Well, after carefully cutting out the head hole, then slowly, and terribly, adding the facing to the front, it gathered and puckered in all the wrong places. And to add insult to injury, I realized (after having my daughter model it) that I had added the facing to the wrong side! What a disaster! It was quite an epic fail, but it won’t stop me from wearing it around the pool this summer! I used 50wt Aurifil thread in Mako, which was a dream to use, as usual, & a beautiful woven from Fableism. It was a good learning experience & someday I’d love to be able to make clothing just by looking at it, but it might take a few more decades 😅
Aurifil Thread Used: Mako 2311 50wt
Kate Sandford
I have been playing with shrinkle plastic, making tiny picture inspired by Quilts. I decided to make them into wearable Art for the “make something to wear” challenge. I needed something to hang them round my neck, so I chose 12wt and floss to fingerknit a thread chain. So much fun to make!
Aurifil Thread Used: 4020, 2021 floss and 2692 12wt.
Emma Giacalone
As part of a separate project I have been working on, I have been making a collection of ingredients labels, so decided that it would be fun to create a wearable nutrition label for this months Artisan challenge. I wanted this label to be a hidden message to wear inside your pocket; something that the wearer would know was there, but you wouldn’t necessarily see. Because of this, I created the patch around the theme of bravery, and inner confidence – feelings that come from inside of you, and you don’t necessarily see. While at first this might seem quite a simple project in terms of thread use, I have selected several different shades and weights of grey and black thread to help emulate different font thicknesses.
Aurifil Thread Used: 40wt 2692, 50wt 4241, 2605, 2615
Fiona Johnstone
I’ve been wanting to hand stitch some clothes, so this challenge was a perfect excuse! I used my favourite pink (4020 in 40wt) as a contrast colour to the mustard fabric and it matched my binding perfectly too! This was such a nice calming project to take places and work on.
Aurifil Thread Used: 4020 in 40wt
Elissa Ziccardi
The theme for this month is “Me Made May” – something wearable, something special. This head to toe ensemble featuring fabrics from the Roar! Collection by @tulapink and the Aurifil Thread 50wt Roar! 10-spool coordinating thread collection is my featured project. I also used Aurifil Monofilament in the large mandala on the back of my coat, and 80wt Aurifil thread on every bit of my foundation paper piecing – there is truly an Aurifil thread expertly crafted for every sewing need!
‘Special’ to me is that this outfit – quilted coat, quilted sneakers, bag, and NEW quilted pants will be walking the runway at the @hhamericas Fashion Show on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 in Chicago! How’s that for starting May with a “roar”?!?! Pun intended of course … I can’t wait to share more pictures from the show, so until then, please enjoy these detailed shots as the rainbow of thread and fabrics pair for a very ME, very over the top, “me made” outfit!
Aurifil Thread Used: Tula Pink’s Roar! 50wt Collection | Aurifil Monofilament MT1000 | Aurifil 80wt 2220, 1231, 2835, 2515, 2479, 2520, 1243, 1148, 2606, 2600, 2309
Irina Malyukova
My project is a fusion of upcycling, mending, and decorating using traditional techniques with a modern twist. I wanted to breathe new life into a thrifted woolen top and show how simple materials (small bits of fabric and thread) can transform a mundane piece of clothing into a unique and artistic piece. I thoroughly enjoyed working on this project, slowing down and truly connecting with this piece.
Aurifil Thread Used: Aurifil 80wt, 2630 Dark Pewter for applique, Aurifil 12wt, 3770 Stone Washed Denim for hand stitching
Sarah Harris
Starting off #MeMadeMay with a tiny spring dress for a dear friend’s gorgeous new baby. After making the dress out of Essex Linen, I added a small pocket (babies like pockets too, right?) which reminded me of a tulip shaped flower. The pocket then became a flower in an appliqué wildflower garden, all made with a Liberty Fabric floral. Adding the stitched details was my favourite part, using 12wt thread for the stems, leaves, and grass plus 3 colours of 50wt for the appliqué and dress piecing.
Aurifil Thread Used:12wt: 2805, 2920, 5019 50wt: 5023
We encourage you to click through and check out each of these amazing projects in more detail!
A fabulous array of inspiration in which to begin May! Wow!!!
Absolutely a beautiful jacket! Wish ut were mine!!