This month, our Aurifil Artisans did something that takes a particular kind of courage— they went back. Back to the project tucked in a drawer, the WIP that lost its momentum, the stitched piece that never quite found its purpose. The Unfinished Business challenge invited each Artisan to revisit something forgotten and give it new life, whether by finishing what they started, reimagining it entirely, or exploring the beauty of repair through visible mending and restored textiles.
There is something softly radical about choosing to transform rather than begin again. It asks us to look at what already exists with fresh eyes, to find potential where we once saw a dead end, and to trust that a project set aside is not a project abandoned. Thread played a central role in that transformation— whether used to mend, to quilt, to embellish, or to reimagine, Aurifil threads became the bridge between what was and what could be.
This is a celebration of patience, creativity, and the quiet joy of the Stitch Spring Clean. We are so excited to share how our Artisans embraced the art of transformation.
Aimee Hagedorn
My favorite denim shirt has finally been reclaimed after finishing its long overdue makeover. A lost stencil and motivation kept me from finishing this Young Sheldon-inspired piece. Happy to have it back just in time for spring!
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton Floss 1135, 2745, 2530, 2865
Barbie Mitchell
Digging into my stash for this month’s Aurifil Artisan challenge to revisit my “Oops-a-Daisy” WIP, a beautiful shift into hand-pieced curves. I’m keeping my travel kit simple with my favorite Cotton 50wt in 2026 and 2600, the perfect duo for seamless, evolving stitches on the go.
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton 50wt 2026 & 2600
Christine Joubert
Revisit an old WIP… that’s a challenge for me as I have such a pile of WIP!!! I took this yellow-blue top that was lying in a drawer since 2016 (!!!) and added an extra border with bold circle appliqués in the corners, using a large variety of colours and weights of Aurifil threads. I was so enthusiastic that I’ve even started to quilt it…
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton 50wt in 2530, 2515, 2835, 1148 + Cotton 12wt in 2425, 2423, 4182, 2810, 4020, 2270, 1135
Katie Zahm
I revisited two Sweet Mae quilt blocks I made a year ago while testing my own pattern. I finally dug them out and gave them a purpose, turning them into the exterior panels of a quilted tote following a tutorial by Tamara @remivailstudio. Consider this my first act of quilty spring cleaning.
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton 50wt 2350 and Cotton Floss for hand quilting detail
Mira Jones
I started this Kawandi inspired scrappy quilt more than 3.5 years ago and it had remained unfinished, because I lacked the time to fill in more rows of stitching by hand. For the March challenge I gave myself permission to switch to machine stitching and really enjoyed exploring the creative stitches of my sewing machine. This quilt that is so full of memories is now finished and being enjoyed!
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton 28wt 4648; Cotton 40wt 4647; Cotton 50wt 4655; Cotton 50wt 2021 (bobbin)
Sarah Bookwalter
Misconception: a log cabin is a simple and boring quilt pattern. But these thin strips and bold, colorful play shows you the freedom and creativity that you have within the simplicity. The mix of colors highlights the beauty of fabric and design. And the cherry on top is the beauty that the thread brings to the piece. To finishing more unfinished objects!
Aurifil Thread Used: Threads from Groove by Emily Van Hoff— Cotton 12wt: 5001 (ocher yellow), 2110 (light lemon), 1104 (neon orange), 2479 (medium orchid), 2770 (very light delft), 2735 (medium blue), 2885 (medium spruce)
Sofia Natty
This was the push I needed to finally make this textile baby book I designed back in 2023. Since, it lived inside a folder titled “1, 2, 3, count with me, baby”. And to 3 I counted: 2024, 2025, 2026… Thank you Aurifil for the challenge. Business no longer unfinished.
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton 12wt in 2120, 1104, 2270, 4020, 5005, 6737. Cotton 50wt 2692.
Susanne Kuprella
I started this jumpsuit three or four years ago, and ever since then it’s been hanging on the dress form, giving me a guilty conscience. I’d traced the pattern from a store-bought piece and had already cut and sewn quite a bit, but I just couldn’t make any progress. I rarely sew clothes, and I know why. First, I had to rip some of it out and rethink things, but finally it’s done, and I have a new outfit for the summer. Most of the overlock seams were already done, so I mainly used the 50wt and 40wt threads for sewing the pieces together and the Floss for the belt loop. I’m so happy, and I’m also relieved.
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton 50wt 2001; Cotton 40wt 2308; Cotton Floss 2843
Tamara Darragh
A WIP finish that’s sure to be used 🙂 This Patchwork Duffle Mini designed by Knot and Thread, is made in the cutest Selvedge Magic fabric from Ruby Star Society. I added little quilty frames around every illustration, with chunky 28 wt thread to make each one pop. Can’t wait to bring this one on the road. If you’d like more details, check out my blog post linked below. xo, Tamara
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton 28wt 2479 Medium Orchid (top thread for quilting + topstitching); Cotton 40wt 2026 Chalk (bobbin)
Tara Glastonbury
While not a long-forgotten WIP, or an overhaul of an old project, this is definitely ‘Unfinished Business’ for me. All along I had planned to hand quilt detail inside the flower centres on my Bloomin’ Lot quilt. I didn’t manage it in time to take to France to exhibit at Carrefour EPM last year… I didn’t manage it before it flew off to Quiltcon in Raleigh… And I certainly didn’t manage it for the Australian Modern Quilt show where it went directly from Quiltcon. But now it’s home. So before I enter it in anything else, I’m finally adding that detail in matching Aurifil 12wt.
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton 12wt 2140, 2220, 2265, 1147, 2240, 2440 and 2540
Vicki Reid
A special one for my daughter, a reminder that she most definitely CAN! I just loved this aurifil x genises collab so much I knew it would be the perfect materials to make a special bag for my daughter. I pieces the wording and fabrics together and quilted them with the beautiful selection of aurifil threads. The backpack is the Elvenses pattern from SewLiberated.
Aurifil Thread Used: Threads from The Genesis of a Journey by Genesis Hall
We encourage you to click through and take a closer look at each Artisan’s brilliant take on this challenge. A huge THANK YOU to our 2025 Aurifil Artisan team. Your creativity, curiosity, and enthusiasm shine through already, and we’re so grateful to have you on this journey with us!