As we kick off a brand-new year, we’re excited to share some creative inspiration to fuel your 2025 projects! We invited our talented Aurifil Artisans to share their top tips and insights—designed to inspire, educate, and bring a touch of ease to every maker’s journey.
From creative organization hacks to expert advice on thread weights and techniques, these tips are a testament to the versatility and reliability of Aurifil threads. Whether you’re a seasoned stitcher or new to the craft, there’s something here to elevate your sewing and quilting game.
A huge thank you to our Artisans for wrapping up the year with such thoughtful contributions. Let’s dive in and discover the wisdom they’ve shared, sure to bring joy and efficiency to your stitching adventures!
Ben Millett
I primarily use a cone of #2021 in 50 wt for piecing, so the few other 50 wt colors on spools are in a small tub in a drawer by my machine (not pictured). This same tub had held all my various thread colors and weights, and for years I resisted getting thread racks. This year my collection reached a quantity and variety that necessitated a change. I now have my non-50 weight threads on a rack. This helps me to see what I have, especially when the labels are visible from the top. My most-used colors of 12 wt are across the top three rows, with all additional 12 wt spools organized by color and spool size. Any other spools of various non-50 weights are grouped in the last rows of the rack. For longarm quilting, I keep Forty-3 and 50wt on a separate rack made for cones, next to the longarm and its bobbin winder.
Amy Freyn
Let’s take an Aurifil Quiz! 4 questions! Click the link below and let Amy know in the comments how you did!
Claire Houghton
The perfect thread to finish this Christmas present. This screen printed lobster cushion has been finished with free motion machine embroidery using 50 wt Peachy pink, although I’ve renamed it Lobster!
Aurifil Threads used: 50wt 2435
Candice Odeen
Have you ever found that your thread keeps breaking or fraying in your machine and you just don’t know why? Take a minute and try flipping that spool around and see if it solves the problem! Your thread may be coming unwound as it moves through your machine, compromising its strength and causing it to break or fray as you sew.
Aurifil Threads used:12wt 5022; 50wt 2311
Vivian Doan
Do you have a 3D printer and have a thread storage issue? I have the solution for you. These 3D printed Pegboard Thread Spool Holder for the IKEA Skadis pegboard are game changers for organizing. I purchased mine from Etsy from @wapitirivercustoms – 3 packs of 10. They help me keep my Aurifil nice and organized and now that I have my advent calendar, I need to buy more!!
Tamara Darragh
The thread heroes in my sewing room are 50 weight (piecing, binding), Forty3 weight (longarm quilting), and 12 and 8 weights (hand quilting, embroidery, finishing binding). Fun fact: The smaller the thread weight number, the thicker the thread! Want more details on how I used these threads in this fun Kicks Quilt? Head over to my blog. Happy sewing!
Aurifil Threads used: Forty3 wt 2311; 50wt 2026; 12wt 2692
Mariana Diaz
The initial plan had actually been to alternate different colors of threads, one at a time, to try and bring the whole thing together. But we can all agree that switching threads is not the most fun part of quilting, and with all the colors I wanted to use, it would take me forever. So I used just one thread: Aurifil Variegated 40wt. in Marrakesh.
Elissa Ziccardi
The end of the year can be hectic, so Aurifil asked Artisans to share our top tips. For me, it’s all about organization! If you’re planning to set a New Year’s resolution to get organized, this post is for you. Read on to see how I keep my studio tidy and inspiring for every stitch!
I organize my in-studio and on-the-go threads in several ways:
WEIGHT – I use stationary hanging thread racks on my Ikea SKADIS units separated by weight and in rainbow color order. Aurifil makes this process super simple with color coded thread spool/caps.
COLOR – I like to organize my threads in rainbow order according to the color wheel (thank you 7th grade art class for cementing ROYGBV into my brain!)If you are like me and want to be even more precise in your color coded display, you can let the Aurifil Swatch Book do the work in sorting your threads in a harmonious display of color that will keep you inspired to create. This also helps me keep tabs on when it is time to reorder as I can see when I am low on a specific color in my stash!
COLLECTION – A beautifully curated thread collection with colors designed to work in tandem with each other and a specific collection of my favorite fabrics always has me at HELLO! I keep my collections together in their storage friendly packaging because it makes ease of selection in my projects super efficient – I know that the colors of the thread were specifically selected to work with my fabrics seamlessly to deliver the best finished results.
FUNCTION – Machine stitching threads stay on my studio walls, while my hand stitching threads are stored to be transported around my home, traveling to teach and lecture, and everywhere else “on-the” go”. I keep my 50wt small spools in my A Place for Everything 2.0 bag. I have configured the pockets for one of the interior pages of this bag to hold 60 small spools of Aurifil thread. Ohhhhh, it is SO GOOD!
Also pictured is my Catch All Caddy 2.0 bag that holds storage boxes (four full storage boxes pictured inside of my caddy here), my Swatch Book, my Aurifil Thread Exemplar Aurifilosophy 7-spool pack available in Aurifil Thread Labs 1.1 and so much more. For my heavier hand stitching threads, including 8wt and Aurifloss, I like to keep these out of direct sunlight and dust by storing these cherry wooden spools in my Thread Storage Case by Aurifil. I hope that this post motivated you to get organized with your thread, but also to take some fresh ideas and inspiration to your projects in the new year. Remember to give yourself some grace when creating, have fun, and most of all …Keep Calm & STITCH ON!
To learn more about the whole family of Aurifil threads, please check out this downloadable product guide from Aurifil Resources that provides more information on number of colors available in a given weight of thread, needles best paired with each weight of thread, suggested stitching methods, and amount of thread on each small or large spool or cone by thread weight. Stay Inspired & Happy Stitching!
Barbie Mitchell
I’m sharing my biggest secret to beautiful needle-turn appliqué: fine threads and a fine needle = fine stitches! 🪡 I love using Aurifil 80wt for all my appliqué work. It comes in a stunning array of colours, and I always match my thread to my fabric for the most seamless finish. This is especially helpful for beginners!
Aurifil Threads seen: 80wt 2630, 2606, 2600, 2024, 1148, 2880, 1147, 5022, 2220, 2479
Want to learn needle-turn appliqué in 2025? Join Barbie’s new Patreon!
Emily Herbster
Working with Aurifil thread has been a game-changer in my sewing journey! In my latest blog post, I’m sharing my favorite tips, from using thread nets to keep large cones running smoothly to color-matching thread for a professional quilt finish. I also dive into why Aurifil is my go-to for English Paper Piecing—its resistance and incredible color range make it perfect.
Sarah Harris
Hand stitching is always a welcome break, especially outside on a sunny winter day. Porch sewing is made even better with a place to keep thread clean and projects handy. I am hoping for a lot more porch sewing days in 2025!
Christina Lee
Why Aurifil 50wt Cotton Thread Is My Go-To for Quilting Projects. Quilters know the right thread makes all the difference! That’s why Aurifil 50wt Cotton is my go-to for every project. In my blog post, I’m sharing why it’s a game-changer, tips for using it, and a look at how I organize my threads with a wall-mount rack.
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
The December Aurifil Artisan challenge is all about sharing our favorite sewing tips, and here’s mine: Use leaders and enders to save thread and prevent startup headaches, but also make progress on side project! Leaders and enders are generally sacrificial bits of fabric used when starting/finishing a seam to help prevent thread and fabric tangles on your good fabric. Instead of a scrap, I love to make small blocks with my enders, and while the going may be slow, I’m saving thread (no tails to trim) AND making progress on another project at the same time!
Aurifil Thread featured: 50wt 2021
We encourage you to click through and check out each of these amazing projects in more detail!
I’ve always been told to keep my thread away from light and dust. None of the artists highlighted seem worried about that. How do they keep their thread from fading and drying out?
I have my aurifil sorted in color and wt in many plastic boxes kept from light and dust. I think the artists here use much of the thread, that’s not getting old or could fade. I did receive a gift of blue thread from aurifil 25 years ago on the Quilt Expo in Strasbourg. It’s such a extraordinary vibrant blue color, I love it.
I have only my thread for sewing with the serger on display.
Love the colors and the thinness of the 50 wt. Can a 2 ply 40 or 50 wt thread be used for bobbin thread while doing machine embroidery? Thanks.