This month, we asked our Aurifil Artisans to step back and reflect. The Signature Stitch challenge invited each maker to celebrate the style or technique that defines their work. The thing they’re known for, the method they return to again and again, the stitch that feels most like home. As the final challenge of the Artisan year, it felt like the perfect way to close out this season: with each Artisan fully in their element.
There’s something quietly powerful about watching a maker lean into what they do best. Not chasing a trend or stretching into unfamiliar territory for the sake of it, but showing up with the thing that makes their work unmistakably theirs. For some, that meant revisiting the technique that first drew them to textile art. For others, it was a love discovered this year. A new weight, a new method, a creative door that the Artisan programme helped open.
What struck us most was just how different those signature stitches turned out to be. Intricate hand quilting alongside bold free-motion work. Delicate embroidery next to improv piecing. Precision and play, side by side. And yet every project carried that same sense of intention and pride. This is a showcase that captures not just what our Artisans make, but who they are as makers. And honestly, what a beautiful note to end the year on.
Ben Millett
Typically, when I quilt, I prefer to match thread and fabric colors and combine hand and machine quilting. This recent collection of quilts enabled me to do just that, though the quilts told me they needed French knots instead of my usual seed stitch.
Aurifil Threads Used: Cotton 12wt and/or 28wt: 2026, 2630, 2692, 2425, 4020, 2120, 2135, 5015, 1231, 1114, 5007, 5006, 2810
Amy Freyn
For this year’s final Aurifil Artisan Challenge, which was “what’s your signature stitch”, I combined my love of quilting with my love of literature. This piece is called “O Happy Dagger” and includes a quote from Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. Size: 20 inches by 22 inches
Aurifil Threads Used: Cotton 50wt 2312; Forty3 2310, 2615; Cotton 28wt 2120, 6736, 2610
Julia Crook
For the Artisan signature stitch challenge I decided to use couching and showcase how I use the stitch within my work. I used the thicker Aurifil threads, cotton floss and 12w cotton, which gave a nice raised texture to the work. Inspiration came from the theme of flowing water, building up the design with simple stitched and couched thread lines to create the finished look. I was really happy with the final piece, particularly the combination of texture and threads which catch the light beautifully.
Aurifil Threads Used: Cotton Floss 2780, 6738, 6722. Cotton 12wt 2720. Cotton 80wt 2000, 2125, 2730, 2775.
Luci Camorani
As a quilter who began their journey right before the pandemic, I still feel that I’m growing and defining my signature style (does that ever go away?). This Quilters Big Tote by Minki Kim is an example of a departure from my typical color choices for the sake of its recipient. I went back to my new best friend Baby Pink in 50wt for the quilting, with a feature of variegated Bubblegum in 12wt for some accents. If I were to do this project again, I would size up my needle significantly with the 12wt or would size up to the 28wt to reduce the risk of fraying.
Aurifil Threads Used: Cotton 50wt 2423, Cotton 12wt 3660
Janice Reimer
I think my signature stitch is to mix and match my thread colours and weights to emphasize certain elements in my designs.
Aurifil Threads Used: Cotton 50wt 2435, 1135, 2830; Cotton 28wt 2145; Cotton 40wt in 5002
Sashanna Hart
This quilt is a time capsule, in a way, of the five years that I have been a quilter. Inspired in the Summer of 2021 by a star sampler block quilt pattern, it grew over the years to become a showcase of the fabrics, techniques and obsessions I had at each period. This year I finally finished it up, tying the whole together with the text, “Joy Invincible” after which the quilt is named.
Aurifil Threads Used: Cotton 50wt 2021, 4655; Cotton 28wt 2021, 4655, 4647, 4660 and Cotton 40wt 2510
Aimee Hagedorn
My signature stitch is one that conveys energy, motion, aliveness. I like to create pieces that invoke feelings and reflection. Add in color and texture and my heart is happy.
Aurifil Threads Used: Cotton 8wt 1148; Cotton Floss 1135, 2800, 2745, 2250, 2720
Russell Barratt
Being part of the programme has really made a positive change to my work. Thread-wise, I’ve always had a ‘use whatever thread is there’ approach, so it’s been very enriching to experiment with all the @aurifilthread types and weights and expand my sewing repertoire. In this quilt, I used the 12w thread in white. As most of my work is hand-stitched, the results of many of these projects have yet to be completed, so I’ll be raving about Aurifil for a long time to come!
Aurifil Threads Used: Cotton 12wt white
Jessica Jones
This raw-edge appliqué peony cushion cover combines the two stitching techniques that have defined my work throughout this Artisan year. Satin stitch has always been my go-to for securing and defining appliqué edges, while free-motion embroidery is a technique I’ve found myself exploring more and more to add texture, movement, and expressive threadwork to my designs.
Aurifil Threads Used: Cotton 50wt: 4020, 2588, 2479, 1103
Susanne Kuprella
This was my second year as an Aurifil Artisan. In my first year, I already realized that the combination of embroidery and sewing bags is my absolute favorite, and in my second year, that was absolutely confirmed. In addition to 28wt, my favorites are the thicker threads—12wt, 8wt, and floss—and I love being able to combine them all perfectly because they’re all based on the same color chart and have the same fantastic quality. Gently highlighting prints through strategic embroidery gives the fabrics an extra glow and makes the sewing work something truly special. And the mix of very slow hand embroidery and the seemingly more efficient machine sewing results in a well-rounded workflow, which I really appreciate.
Aurifil Threads Used: Cotton 40wt 5012; Cotton 28wt: 2375, 5021, 2835; Cotton Floss: 2975, 2320, 6728, 2910, 2215, 2372, 6711
Janine Heschl
For the last Aurifil Artisan Monthly Challenge this Artisan year, we were asked to show our ‘signature stitch/style/technique’ and I chose to showcase a technique I discovered and further developed during the September Challenge: Leaf skeleton making. Stitched on Lutradur and then applying heat with a soldering iron creates wonderful texture and shape – so versatile for textile sculptures or as part of a textile collage. I used 50wt thread, colour 2314.
Aurifil Threads Used: Cotton 50wt 2314
HollyAnne Knight
Lumber Jane is my newest modern-traditional quilt pattern, and I loved quilting her with some of my favourite free-motion and ruler-work motifs. None of the quilting is “fancy,” but it creates a wonderful texture on a quilt that is meant to be loved and used. I, of course, used my favorite 50 wt thread. If you love Lumber Jane, we’d love to have you join us in the quilt-along this summer!
Aurifil Threads Used: Cotton 50wt Variegated 3770
Sofia Natty
After completing 11 (!!) challenges and responding to each one in a completely different way, I found myself wondering: what is my signature stitch? For now, I’ve come to the conclusion that what feels most like me is making something deeply personal without letting that become its entire identity. So, for my signature stitch, a mini wall hanging celebrating the fires we were able to start while also mourning the sparks that never had the chance to catch.
Aurifil Threads Used: Cotton 50wt 2310, 2315, 2437, 2479, 1243, 2850, 2140; Cotton 40wt 2024; Cotton 28wt 2120; Cotton 12wt 2270, 4020, 2515, 2120, 5005, 6737; 12wt Wool 8130; Cotton Floss 2692.
Karlie Hunter
This design felt fitting for the signature stitch or technique challenge because it was inspired by a picture I took here in my home state of Iowa, and landscapes made of satin stitches and French knots are kinda my thing! Most people either love or hate French knots, and I personally love the texture they add. I spent about 16 hours stitching this landscape hoop, and I definitely think all the French knots were worth it!
Aurifil threads Used: Cotton Floss 2000, 2888, 5021, 5004, 2892, 2975, 5023
Barbie Mitchell
From the very beginning of my quilting journey, needle turn appliqué has always been—and always will be—my signature stitch. For this final Aurifil challenge, I’m celebrating that lifelong passion, brought perfectly to life with my absolute love for the flawless, invisible finish of Aurifil 80wt thread.
Aurifil Threads Used: Cotton 80wt
Suzanne Campion
I have added folded pinwheels to my designs this year to compliment my love of cathedral windows. I love the extra depth that can be added to my work enhanced with machine and hand stitching.
Aurifil Threads Used: First Porject – Cotton 50wt 6010; Cotton 8wt 2930
50wt from Aurifil x Liberty 2309, 1103, 2360, 4026, 1126, 2535, 5002
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!