A brand new Aurifil Artisan year has officially begun, and it is full of genuine excitement. Every June, we welcome a new team of makers into the Artisan family, and their very first task is a simple one: open the Welcome Pack and let it lead you somewhere.
That “somewhere” ended up being everywhere. This round was a proper mixed bag: gorgeous unboxing shots, color spools styled into flat lays and first stitches on brand new projects. Some Artisans slowed down and documented every reel of thread; others dove straight into a project the same afternoon. No brief for what to make, just a challenge to notice what caught their eye and follow it.
It’s the best possible way to start: no pressure, no polish required, just genuine reactions to a box of thread. To every Artisan who shared their first post, thank you for jumping in with so much heart. This is only the beginning.
Andreia Cabral
June brought me a box full of surprises. Delicious cotton threads of all kinds, colorful scraps, hidden possibilities in thread colors and weights that I would never have chosen otherwise. I immediately noticed the extreme softness of the Cotton 8wt and of the Floss, and I liked that… my mind started to wander. I chose the most muted colors and decided to make them my starting point. The usual complex gradients that require mixing dozens of shades were, calmly, replaced by a simple color scheme, in which the Cotton 40wt and Cotton 50wt thread were my dearest discovery, both for shading and for moss. It’s truly interesting how, by giving something unknown a chance, we discover potential, and in this case, I discovered threads that have become essential for my botanical elements in future projects. Here, the result, an aqua Amanita, which only exists in Embroideryland, is wearable as a brooch or displayable, on it’s hexagonal secret garden.
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton 8wt 1148, 2000, 4644; Cotton Floss 2835, 2912, 2520, 2535, 4020, 2214, 5007; Cotton 40wt 2890; Cotton 50wt 1147, 2780
Kira Greene
As soon as I saw these threads in my welcome box, I knew I had to make something with them! Straying from the traditionally taught Cotton 80wt thread for needle-turn appliqué, I used a more universal Cotton 50wt to create a beautiful and cohesive floral piece.
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton 50wt 5020, 2370, 5015, 2021
Lauri Jones
This project is a 16″x16″ drunkard’s path mini-quilt. I made it simply to start exploring and playing with the threads I received in my welcome package.
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton 40wt 2810, 2460, 3817, & Cotton 50wt 1147
Lileny Salazar
This year, I was selected as one of the 40 Aurifil Artisans 2026. We’ll be working with their threads for a full year. This is the first of twelve challenges. And it starts with what you see here: the welcome package. Aurifil works with several thread weights in Egyptian cotton, each designed for something different. This year I’m going to use them all in hand embroidery, which is my thing, and we’ll see what happens.
Ilaria Harris
I’m so excited to be part of the Artisans 2026/27 Aurifil team! I can’t wait to connect, share, learn and exchange ideas with all of you. This means a lot to me as the Aurfiil Threads are made in Italy, where I’m from originally. I look forward to inspire and being inspired globally!
Below is a glimpse of my first project in progress!
Samanta Vargas
This is my Aurifil Artisan Welcome Box unboxing. I didn’t know how many different threads could exist! From fine, almost invisible threads to chunky and colourful ones, I’m sew ready!
Janice Reimer
I’ve recently gotten really into cross stitch, and was super curious to compare Aurifil’s floss with their 8wt thread. Both cross-stitched absolutely beautifully!
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton 8wt 843; Cotton Floss 2912
Hope Talbot Waller
For this project, I made two mini quilts to try out the range of threads. I wanted to make something bright and fun! I machine pieced these and quilted them by hand. I appliquéd a little dog motif using my free machine embroidery foot on my Bernina Record 830, which was great fun!
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton 50wt 2311, 2606, 2692; Cotton 40wt 4658; Cotton 8wt 2250
Amy Freyn
Super excited to be selected as an Aurifil Artisan! Some tiny things in my studio wanted to check out the Aurifil Artisan box of goodies and dance, of course. I absolutely love Aurifil Thread!
Maude MacDonald
Stoked to be an Aurifil Artisan! This welcome box is full of goodies and lots to play and experiment with this year.
Jess Wheelahan
Last week, a whole box of goodies arrived! I’m getting used to this Aurifil Artisan gig! Since then, I have used a range of Aurifil threads and scrap fabrics to make this little textile artwork. I put some Cotton 8wt in the bobbin and used the free motion foot, and was really excited at how easy it was to create surface texture. I also loved the 12wt wool for free motion embroidery, and can see more of this in the future. I am playing with the idea of using the heat press to fuse this onion bag over the top and continue adding to it or is that too much?!?
Aurifil Thread Used: 12wt Wool, Cotton 8wt and Cotton Floss.
Andrea Sauer
Inspired by the Aurifil design on the thread case included in the Aurifil Welcome Package, I sewed a journal for my creative journey as an Aurifil Artisan (pattern by UniKati). The Cotton 12wt quilting gives the planner a wonderful texture, while the raw-edge appliqué with monofilament thread is almost invisible. An amazing combo.
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton 12wt 7000, 7001, 7002; Cotton 28wt 5004, 2588; Cotton 50wt 7000, 7001, 7002, 2605 & Monofilamen
Katrina Brosan
While exploring the Artisan welcome box, the first item I grabbed was the variegated Aurifil cotton 12wt thread. With June being Pride Month, I knew I wanted to freehand stitch a little something with the rainbow thread on my chainstitch machine! It stitched beautifully on hard Korean felt, giving it a classic retro feel.
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton 12wt 3817
Emily Ullo Steigler
This wearable art top was created from reclaimed denim appliquéd onto black jersey using Aurifil Forty3 in the needle and Cotton 40wt in the bobbin. I was drawn to Forty3 for its bold, visible stitch definition, and was pleasantly surprised by how beautifully it handled the challenge of stitching through layers of denim on a stretchy jersey base. The thread became an essential design element, creating movement, texture, and structure throughout the finished piece.
Aurifil Thread Used: Forty3 2024, Cotton 40wt 2314
Claire Voelkel-Sedlmeir
I’m so thrilled to be an Aurifil Artisan this year! This Welcome Package was so inspiring, I couldn’t wait to start experimenting with all these beautiful threads. This repurposed tablecloth-turned-quilt gave me the opportunity to try out the Cotton 8, 12, 28, and 40wt cotton threads as well as the Wool 12wt. I am living the dream, and I am so grateful.
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton 12wt 1243, 12wt Wool 8212, Cotton 8wt 2840, Cotton 28wt 2460, and Cotton 40wt 2024.
Janine Heschl
For the first Aurifil Artisan challenge of the 26/27 season, I allowed myself to be fully inspired by the beautiful Artisan Welcoming Box I received. Two colours immediately stood out to me: two shades of icy blue in Cotton 50wt and Cotton 80wt which reminded me of one of my favourite plants: the hydrangea. I began by sketching out the petal shape and embroidering it onto Lutradur. Before burning away the excess material to reveal the delicate skeleton structure, I painted the surface in a similar shade, using ink. After assembling all four petals, I added a small Swarovski crystal bead at the centre, enhancing the subtle interplay of light and shadow.
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton 50wt 2612; Cotton 80wt 5007
Sarah Ruth Morris
I am so excited to be back another year as an Aurifil Artisan! I have big plans for this year, and I am most excited about trying to teach myself thread painting! Here we go!
Wendy Greaves
Fragile – Watch where you tread. Exploring the textures, patterns and life that exists between the tides and on our coastline.
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton 80wt 5007; Cotton 8wt 2847, 2600; Cotton 50wt 2325, 2605 , 12wt Wool 8784
Belle Brunner
Belle of Seams Sew Me found so many exciting goodies in her Aurifil Artisan Welcome Box! She especially looks forward to using some of them in her Baby Lock Sashiko, long arm, serger and EPP projects!
Linzi Conway
When I received the news, I was both honoured and excited. Aurifil is a company that has long been synonymous with quality, creativity, and innovation within the sewing and quilting community. To be chosen as part of this inspiring team is truly a dream come true.
As an Irish textile artist, my work is deeply rooted in the landscapes and heritage of Ireland. I find endless inspiration in rugged coastlines and rolling countryside. Through a combination of paint, free-motion embroidery, and layered textiles, I strive to create richly textured pieces that invite both visual exploration and tactile connection.
Angèle Kuy
I can’t wait to dive into these new materials, play around with them, and take you along with me on this creative adventure.
Julia Crook
For the June Artisan challenge, I experimented with some of the new threads received in my Welcome box. I used inspiration from this months Strawberry moon, using threads in red, burgundy, grey and blue. The stitching represents the moon tracking across the night sky.
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton 28wt 2250; Cotton 50wt 2606; Cotton 12wt 2460, Cotton 8wt 1246
Isabel Wilder
Sometimes the best way to learn is simply to play. I spent some time stitching a sampler with the different Aurifil thread weights from my welcome package—and it was so much fun discovering the unique texture each one creates.
Aurifil Threads Used: I used all the weights for a sampler.
Sofia Natty
Needless to say, I was absolutely thrilled to be selected for another year as an Aurifil Artisan. Opening my welcome box felt a bit like seeing the next months’s projects take shape. I’m looking forward to another year of experimenting, creating, and hopefully sharing projects that inspire you to try something new in your own makes.
Jessica Jones
Returning to the sunflower gave me the opportunity to reflect on how far I’ve come since my first Aurifil Artisan challenge in 2025. Rather than recreating the original, I challenged myself to explore mixed media for the first time, transforming the familiar subject into a richly layered Victorian-inspired field study.
Aurifil Threads Used: Cotton 50wt 2372, Cotton 40wt 2600, 2324, Cotton 12wt 2105 and Cotton 80wt 2692.
Barbie Mitchell
Unboxing my new Aurifil welcome box feels like a fresh wave of creative energy. I am so incredibly thrilled to be back collaborating with a brand I love, and the gorgeous palette in this box has already sparked so much inspiration. I can’t wait to share the stitching journey ahead with all of you.
Aurifil Thread Used: mixed thread weights from the welcome box
Sashanna Hart
Upon opening my Aurifil Artisan welcome box, the thread that immediately jumped out at me was the 50wt Light Leaf Green (1147). I knew I wanted to feature it somehow in my welcome box project. I already had plans for an Aronia House Dress that would be wearable every day, but I wanted to elevate it a little. This bright yellow scrap of fabric was the last of a couple of curtains purchased in a French second-hand store three years ago, and I knew it needed to be featured in a special way. Using three colors and three weights of thread from my welcome box, I made the yoke of this dress the standout feature, and I love it!
Aurifil Thread Used: Cotton 50wt 1147; Cotton 28wt 2445; Cotton 12wt 2120
We encourage you to click through and take a closer look at each Artisan’s brilliant take on this challenge, from inspired unboxings to first makes that highlight the possibilities of thread and fabric. And of course, a huge THANK YOU to our 2026 Aurifil Artisan team. Your creativity, curiosity, and enthusiasm shine through already, and we’re so grateful to have you on this journey with us!