A* for Aurifil

 I guess you've seen the hype.  Aurifil threads have been all over blogland.   Until relatively recently I thought Aurifil was for overlockers and they only produced cones of overlock thread, I don't know where I got that notion but the only bit that is correct is the massive cones!  Aurifil are obviously on a big promo push and I was happy to test their threads out.  I was pretty keen on the thread I already used, especially YLI soft touch for piecing- did you notice the past tense there?  My allegiance has changed.

This is what has turned me, Ne 50/2 ply for piecing and applique.  It has a beautiful sheen and feels incredibly fine and smooth.  Thread weight is not always easy to spot on a spool but it is significant- the higher the large number the finer the thread.  You can read more about thread weights here.  A freebie is not enough to win my stitching pennies, performance is everything- I feel like I am talking about a sports car now- but this thread really performs!

You can see why whenyou look at it next to the YLI soft touch- the secret is in the fibres- both have long staple cotton fibres but you can see the fuzz of the grey YLI, the red Aurifil has much silkier smoother. I am guessing that the length of the Aurifil fibres is quite a bit longer than the YLI fibres resulting in smoother thread and less fluffy deposits in your machine.  

As a result this thread sews like a dream, it produces less tangles when starting and securing  a seam and gives amazing accuracy.  The Ne. 50 weight 2 ply is fine so it takes up less space in the seam.  In a 1/4 inch seam every little bit that is lost and gained makes a significant difference to accuracy so a good piecing thread is a vital tool for me.  It is going to be a dream to freezer paper piece with! 

A back view just so you can see more stitching.  These tiny stitches  are 1.5 length on my Janome.

You can see all the points match up nicely, not always easy when 100% linen is involved.

I tired a different thread for some hand sewn top stitch detail.  This was Ne. 12 described as suitable for Sashiko and embellishment.  It is silky smooth and glided through the linen.

I tested some of the other threads for hand stitch details.  Firstly, you can see the 12 weight wool thread 50% wool, 50% cotton.  This is more fluffy and gives a bit of texture on the linen.  I used a sashiko needle and thimble to add these thicker threads.

I ran another line of stitches with Ne. 12 in cotton in  gold.

Aurifil have  a huge variety of colours-216 for each thread weight.  I was lucky enough to have shade cards sent and as I have never seen this thread in a bricks and mortar shop I can see they will be incredibly useful.  I mainly use neutrals and those are what I am going to buy first. Where to buy from?  I found these UK online suppliers via google but there are more...  A further plus is that the spools contain a lot of thread for your money- for me this is going to be more economical, gotta love that...

http://thetabbycat.com/shop/

http://www.cottonpatch.co.uk/acatalog/Aurifil_50.html

http://www.new-threads.com/aurifil-thread-15-c.asp - a very large selection

http://www.thefatquarters.co.uk/threads-aurifil-threads.irc

So now the giveaway.  Four packs, each containing a selection of different colours and weights  await your comments- to enter please leave a comment, if you want a theme for your comment recommend me some great music to listen to, I am still obsessed with Ben Howard and welcome any new suggestions.  Otherwise any old comment will do.  I need your email in your profile or  your comment so I can notify the winners.  Comments close  Midnight GMT Sunday 14th August.  I'll use a random type choosing method.  International entries are welcome- I am happy to post these anywhere, but meanwhile they are staying with me- don't worry I'll take good care of them.  I won't respond to giveaway comments but good luck and enjoy a  bit of Ben.  He is gigging around the UK from October and I got tickets!