Wednesday 12 June 2013

A New Love

Just in case I don't have enough obsessions to do with sewing in my life yet, I have a added a new one today.

You know those handy dandy sample packs of Aurifil that have appear everywhere - in the goodie bags at sewing summits and retreats (like the one below), and as prizes in many a fab giveaway? Well, I have received several and I love them. Only I never used some of the threads. The thicker ones.



Today I changed that, and I am so glad I did. I started doing some hand quilting with the Aurifil Cotton 12w. What can I say? I. Love. It!

I know I am a perle girl through and through, and that won't change, but every project has different requirements and there is a place for all different threads in our lives. Hand quilting with the 12w is an absolutely joy. It pulls through the layers so smoothly, does not twist or tangle at all, and looks great. But it still has the impact that perle cotton does.


If you live in the UK Eternal Maker and New Threads both stock it. Just in case you are curious.

And if you are curious about what I am doing with my HR Fan Club quilt top -  you probably aren't but I am telling you anyway - I've folded it and put it away. Just for the time being, because I decided that the only thing that should back a HR quilt is more HR. So I have pre-ordered some Briar Rose yardage for the backing and binding. That should arrive some time in July . I would rather wait and get it right than just put any old thing on the back of this quilt.


I might have had more to show you today if I hadn't been such a numpty. Helen finishes school earlier on a Wednesday. Therefore I have a bit of time in the car waiting for Emily to finish when we arrive at her school. But it is difficult to work on your hand quilting if you remembered everything but the needle!

Susan

31 comments:

  1. Wow, you must have read my mind, I've just started using the 12wt for hand quilting too - isn't it gorgeous! I had a spool from the FQ retreat last year & thought I'd give it a go. I couldn't see the cotton 12wt in Eternal maker though (only the wool version), so will check out that other link. Rxxx

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  2. Yup, total numpty ;o) I must remember to pass on all my #12 wool ones to you...

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  3. Looking good so far! I've had my eye on some Briar Rose too, no doubt will be adding it to my stash at some point. Did you remember to collect the girls, or did you foget them too? :o)

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  4. Oohh exciting backing!! I'm using some of my sample packs too finally - they are great :)

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  5. Good to know about the hand quilting loveliness of 12wt. I enjoy hand quilting and hope to have more of it in my future. Maybe I'll try Aurifil.

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  6. I sat at a motorway service station wait for my parents and son for 2 hours with a load of hexies and NO NEEDLE, and refused to pay the £6.99 for and emergency sewing kit in WHSmiths; never again!!!

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  7. I still have never hand quilted even though I do lots of hand embroidery ... might have to change that soon!

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  8. Your hand stitching always inspires me...so I went out today to a hand stitching class!!!
    OMG , I am so slow! I know it gets better with practice..just not sure I will live that long .. LOL!

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  9. Useful to know re the aurifil. I have some lurking and might just give them a go. Lucky duck waiting for our HR backing!

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  10. LOL! You'll have to keep an emergency sewing kit in the car from now on! Jxo

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  11. Numpty haha what a brilliant word!! After seeing your hand quilting it always makes me want to hand quilt :)

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  12. I still haven't managed to get round to buying any perle thread...maybe I should do that and grab some 12 wt Aurifil while I'm at it? Cos now Ive seen your hand stitching I want to run out and make something I can do hand stitching on.

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  13. It's brilliant isn't it! And stitccraft studio in Grantham stock it now too! Let me know if you run out and need emergency thread :)

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  14. I've tried the 28 weight for hand quilting and liked it, but not the 12. That's going on my shopping list :)

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  15. I love the joy of finding something new. Hurray!

    Lol. So understand the problem w the needle.

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  16. I have some of that too but haven't used it yet. And great idea for the HR quilt - I'm impressed with your patience!

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  17. Very wise waiting for Briar Rose so your HR pretties are even prettier. Not so wise waiting with no needle. Oops.

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  18. oops! Love the thread though :-)

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  20. I've never used the 12wt or the wool one either so this is interesting!

    (sorry if you got this twice, accidentally commented from my work Google account, oops)

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  21. The times I've seen pleas for more aurifil when people have quilted with the sample packs and run out half way through and then can't find any for love nor money in the UK. Having never had a sample pack I've not had this problem...she sobs bitterly lol :-)

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  23. Those threads look lovely to use. I especially would like to try the thicker thread... I'll have to add that to my wish list :-)

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  24. very pretty! I've never used heavier weight, but will definitely give it a try. What size needle do you use? A quilting between? and when you use the embroidery thread, do you separate the strands?

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  25. Thanks for the tip and the shops that stock it too! It's so frustrating when someone recommends something and you have no clue where to get it :o)

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  26. Good call on waiting for the perfect backing! The 12 wt does look fab in those running stitches!

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  27. I like that thread too and really need to do more hand quilting. Your Briar Rise will be worth the wait

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  28. Oooooh, must give that a try!

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  29. I went through a spate of my trouser hem dropping all the time and never had a needle and thread to hand. I've now got an emergency set in the car. I haven't needed it since but it's still there!

    Never tried ANY Aurifil but have a BIG hand quilting project coming up so this is good to know x

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  30. Oh, do wait! It will be brilliant with BR on the back/binding. Great idea.

    Huh...I never thought of using the heavier Aurifil. Just getting to grips with the perle myself and my brain is already boggled.

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