Aurifil 50 wt Thread
Aurifil makes the highest quality cotton quilting threads on the market, and it’s no secret that their 50 wt thread is my favorite for allthethings. Let’s take a look at what makes Aurifil 50 wt thread so special, and why I think it’s the best and most versatile threads available.
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When I first began quilting, I learned about Aurifil thread on a quilting podcast. The speaker praised it as “the best thread for everything,” and, being a newbie quilter who was excited to learn about all the tools and notions of my new hobby, I immediately saved up and bought my first box of small 50 wt spools. I used it for my very first “proper” quilt with designer fabric and free motion quilting, and I was definitely impressed by how well it stitched and how bright and shiny the colors were on the spools and my quilt. Shortly thereafter, I had the opportunity to work with Aurifil for the first time on a charity project, and I’ve been a dedicated fan ever since.
How are threads sized?
The bigger the number the thinner the thread. This is because the “weight” of the thread refers to the literal weight of a certain number of yards (for example, how many yards it takes to weigh a kilo). Now, this weight-measurement system is not very standardized, so a 28 weight in one brand may be a little thicker or thinner than 28 in another if they don’t use the same scale (English vs Metric, etc). So, to recap: a 28 wt thread is a lot thicker than a 50 wt thread because it takes fewer yards of a thicker thread to weigh a kilo/ pound.
What makes Aurifil thread so special?
Aurifil uses Egyptian Mako cotton to create fine but strong threads. Mako cotton is known for its long fibers which means that the fibers twist together over more length and hold the twist more securely. This reduces breaks and frays, even in fine threads. Then, Aurifil uses several key processes to create a beautiful finished product:
1) Careful dye processes create consistent colors that don’t bleed or fade (and trust me, I have tested this with hot water and sun more than one probably should)
2) Mercerizing to remove lint from the twisted strands
3) Parafin dip to create that gorgeous, smooth-glide feel through your machine
Plus, they have a whopping 270 colors!!
Note bene: you can tell at a glance which weight you’re grabbing from your collection: 50 wt is always on an orange spool.
Why do I love 50 wt thread?
I love the versatility of 50 wt thread. It doesn’t add bulk to my seams, whether I’m piecing by machine or by hand, but it’s gorgeous for free motion quilting. It’s delicate enough for hand binding or appliqué, but strong enough or longarm quilting or machine embroidery. It can do all the things! For what it’s worth, 2600 (dove gray) is my favorite solid, and 3817 (Marrakesh/ “Unicorn poo”) is my favorite variegated
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