This July, Aurifil kicked off a fabulous new Scrap Drive, making it the perfect time to encourage our artisans to grab their fabric leftovers and let their imaginations run wild. The challenge? To create something spectacular using any scraps they had on hand, showcasing the endless possibilities that come from even the smallest bits of fabric.
Our artisans embraced the challenge with gusto, crafting dazzling projects that used a variety of thread weights to stunning effect. These creations not only shine a spotlight on the amazing creativity within our community but also aim to spark inspiration for your own scrap-busting adventures. Get ready to be wowed as we celebrate the magic that happens when artistry meets resourcefulness, turning humble fabric scraps into dazzling works of art!
A massive shoutout to all our July participants! We’re incredibly grateful for your creativity and enthusiasm in joining us on this journey. You truly make it extraordinary!
Candice Odeen
I used Aurifil’s new scrap packs to make a star mini quilt. The points were created by piecing the strips to a stabilizer foundation. I then used the coordinating threads to add decorative stitches to each star point.
Maude MacDonald
For this month’s challenge, I created a 70s Patchwork Inspired Crossbody Bag using bold thread colours in a subtle way.
Aurifil Threads used: 1133, 7002, 2850 all in 50wt
Amy Freyn
For July’s challenge, I created a scrappy quilt made entirely on longarm (except for the big stitch hand binding on the back). Techniques used: quilt as you go on longarm, apply and trim binding on longarm, and topographical quilt design.
Aurifil Threads used: Monofilament invisible clear, 40wt 6275, 8wt 6730
Claire Houghton
For July`s challenge I made a fabric basket to hold my larger Aurifil threads. The main body used up lots of painted scraps from previous projects. Before constructing, I embellished with hand and machine embroidery, inspired by the roses outside my studio.
Aurifil Threads used: Floss (hand embroidery) 1104, 4220; 12wt (machine) 2902; 28wt (machine) 4658; 40wt ( hand/machine) 5023, 4657; 50wt (hand/machine) 1231; to construct 50wt 2026, 12wt Wool (hand) 8440
Susanne Kuprella
The Aurifil thread I use the most is definitely the 28wt. It’s perfect for topstitching pockets and I love having the decorative seams in the same color as the fabric. For the scrappy project, I extended the lion’s mane with the help of a self-made FPP template and picked out several fabrics in different shades of red, pink, orange, and yellow and all the matching yarns I had at home.
Aurifil Threads used: 28wt in 2026, 2000, 2132, 2930, 2145, 2390, 2375, 6731, 2566 and 50wt in 2026
Amelia Ellen
For the July challenge I chose to use up some of my jersey scraps to make myself some knickers! I used a mixture of 40wt and 50wt threads to make these and I also tried to use contrasting threads so the stitching could stand out. I think Aurifil threads are mostly thought of as being used with woven fabrics so I wanted to showcase their versatility by using them with jersey fabrics. Of course the threads sewed up like a dream!
Aurifil Threads used: 40wt 2479 & 50wt 4654, 4651, 3920, 7001
Amanda Loewen
This is the Sugar Quilt pattern from Then Came June. I used a Favourite Flowers layer cake and scraps from my stash to make all of the HST combinations. The fun in a quilt like this is playing with colours and combinations! The quilt featured many colours, but pink was a stand-out for me. I chose to use the 50wt 2530 Blossom Pink thread that was included in our Aurifil Artisan welcome box to quilt organic wavy lines throughout the quilt for a fun finish.
Aurifil Threads used: 50wt 2530
Alexis Ellis
This month was all about my two favorite things: colorful thread and tiny scraps! Using scraps and reducing waste is one of my favorite ways to stretch myself creatively. The FreeSpirit Fabric Scrap Box in coordination with five matching Aurifil thread spoke vibrant summer and whimsy, a walk in the garden if you will. I decided to get another round of practice with free motion embroidery and what came alive is this fun mini quilt! A few hand stitched embellishments with Aurifil Monofilament and small scraps became useful once again.
Aurifil Threads used: Aurifil 50wt thread in colors 2540, 1154, 5017, 4020, 2692; Clear Monofilament
Fiona Johnstone
To make this Tiny Duffle I tried a quilt as you go method with the strips from the Aurifil/FreeSpirit scrap collab boxes I received. The varying widths of the strips and the added quilting and top stitching gave the panel so much texture! I used three of the threads from the box which went perfectly with the scraps.
Aurifil Threads used: 50wt – 1154, 2540, 5017
Christine Joubert
One of my favorite ways to make a quilt or anything else quilty is to dive into my scrap bin and select some of these tiny bits that are sleeping for an hypothetical project. Arrange them by colors and sizes, then sew strips, small HSTs, rectangles, make some appliqué… and I get my own original fabric for a laptop quilted case!
Aurifil Threads used: 50wt for sewing and FMQ, 12wt and wool for hand quilting
Tamara Darragh
Meet Miss Rainbow Trout! 🌈🐟 Inspired by the Aurifil x FreeSpirit Fabrics July Scrap Challenge, I transformed fabric off-cuts into something fun and functional. After much cutting, collaging, appliqué, and free-motion quilting, she finally took shape. This project was all about playful exploration, and I hope it inspires your creativity. There are so many beautiful surprises waiting to be discovered within you!
Aurifil Threads used: 50wt in 2311, 1154, 5017, 4020, 2540, 2692; Clear Monofilament
Vivian Doan
What better use of little scraps of your best fabric than to turn it into a wristlet zippered pouch. I had these little scraps of Ruby Star Society Petunia that I cut into 2.5” squares like a mini charm pack and turned them into this cute pouch. I finished off the pouch with some straight machine and sashiko stitching using 40wt variegated tone on tone colours and some 50wt Neon Pink for the inspirational label and Natural White for the wristlet and piecing.
Aurifil Threads used: 40wt in 3770, 3840, 3660, 4660, 4250, 3920, 3910, 3320; 50wt in 7002, 2021
Matthew Friesz
While it doesn’t *seem* “scrappy” at first glance, I used all the cutoffs from last month’s make to make this checkered pillow top. There’s no pattern for this… it’s just another thing that lives in the depths of my brain. But the pillow finishes out at 18″, and each square is 1.5″ finished.
Aurifil Threads used: Pieced with 50wt 2000 Light Sand; Handquilted with 12wt wool in color 8323 Buckwheat; Binding sewn down with 50wt cotton in color 2692 Black.
Barbie Mitchell
This project has been so fun playing with the brightest FreeSpirit Fabric Scraps and making FPP Christmas Tree Blocks (piecing with Aurifil 50wt Thread). My Free FPP Christmas Tree (for scrap fabrics) can be found here.
Aurifil Threads used: 50wt 1154, 2540, 4020, 5017
Kimberley Arnold
I used the scrap bundle collaboration between Aurifil and FreeSpirit Fabrics to make two projects: a fabric confetti pouch to hold fabric stamps and rope coasters to catch drips from my plants!
Aurifil Threads used: 50wt 2692, 4020, 2540 and 5017
Zeiba Monod
What is the smallest scrap size you keep? Well this challenge with 1” wide (or smaller) strips made me realise how creative and fun using teeny tiny scraps can be.
Aurifil Threads used: 50wt 2540, 1154, 5017, 4020, 2692
Vickeidy Plybon
I used the scraps from my FreeSpirit scrap bundles and a little bit of background fabric to make a wall hanging. I separated the scraps by color, sewed them into strips, and then cut those strips into 4″ triangles. I sewed the triangles together, along with triangles from the background fabric, to make the stars. I love how the scrappy stars pop against the gray background. I now have a new appreciation for my fabric scraps.
Aurifil Thread used: Piecing 50wt 4020, 1154, 2540; Quilting 50wt 2320
Zoe Mayson
Do you have narrow strips of fabric in your scrap basket? This Herringbone Pencil Case is the perfect way to not waste fabric, and uses foundation paper piecing to create something out of nothing. Mix the panels around and choose the direction of the strips to make it your way! Sewn with 50wt thread.
Aurifil Threads used: 50wt shade 2000
Mariana Diaz
This month’s challenge for the Aurifil artisans was to create something with scraps. My smallest scraps are from my Liberty fabrics so they were perfect for this project. I had always been loyal to the 50wt when piecing, but after joining the Artisan team, I started experimenting with all the different Aurifil weights. I found that the 80wt is perfect for piecing with Liberty: it just disappears like magic! Since I wanted my top-stitching to show, I went with 40wt and I chose the variegated in Marrakech which goes so well with this really scrappy hexagon. This project uses 75 different fabrics and started the size of a coaster but I just couldn’t seem to stop so on and on it grew! Do you have a favorite Aurifil weight?
Aurifil Threads used: 3817 in 40wt and 2310 in 80wt
Andrea Kjorlaug
Andrea upgraded her travel iron bag by deconstructing the existing bag and using it as a template to create a quilted travel iron bag. She reused the existing zipper and created the bag out of fabric from her scrap bin. The bag was constructed using Forty3 (Aurifil’s 40wt/3ply) and quilted with a combination of Forty3 and 50wt threads. She then hand sewed binding along the zipper using Aurifil Floss.
Aurifil Threads used: Forty3 in color 2600, 50wt 6711 and Aurifil Floss 2000
Andrea made a second scrap project and sewed a loop using Forty3 weight thread in color 2600 to make the hatband adjustable. Then she spun the end of the loop into cordage made from the FreeSpiritFabrics pre-consumer scrap bundle featuring a beautiful assortment of summer hues.
Aurifil Threads used: Forty3 2600
Janice Reimer
Scraps and improv are two things that make me deeply uncomfortable as a quilter. There’s too much freedom and too many options. And so as someone who likes structure, I created my own boundaries to play inside of and outlined them with thread.
Aurifil Threads used: piecing – 50wt 2311; quilting top thread – 40wt 2875; bobbin – 50 wt 4241.
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
I began cutting all of my favorite scraps into 2.5” squares a while back, and the July Aurifil Artisan Scrap Challenge was the perfect excuse to finish up a project with them! These Granny Square blocks come together so easily and are the perfect leader/ender project to have on the side. I had the privilege of visiting the Aurifil US headquarters in Chicago a few weeks back, and handpicked this 28 wt. variegated thread (color 4651) with just this project in mind! The subtle pink to yellow gradient is a perfect finishing touch for this project. See my instagram post for a quick tutorial on how to make your own Granny Square blocks!
Aurifil Threads used: 50wt 2021 for quilting, 28wt variegated 4651 for quilting
Emily Herbster
This scrap challenge was such a fun project! I tackled some mini FPP and make a small pouch that’s perfect for holding small sewing accessories like sewing clips.
Aurifil Threads used: All 50wt – 1154, 5017, 2540, 2692, 4020
We encourage you to click through and check out each of these amazing projects in more detail!
These are so inspiring! I am ready to dive into my scrap containers–and believe me, I have lots to play with.
Wow!! A whole bunch of creative activity, stitched with a whole bunch of gorgeous, bright colors!!! Kudos to all the artists. Thanks for some fun inspiration 😆
Lots of beautiful work