Fun Friday Giveaway - Aurifil Threads

Welcome to another Fun Friday Giveaway.  Today's giveaway is sponsored by Aurifil Threads.


I'm making some Patriotic Star blocks using a very fast reverse applique technique.  While an easy and fast technique, it is even easier & faster as I'm using Aurifil's Invisible thread and an applique star cut with an AccuQuilt.  These blocks will be made into quilts to help with the QOV program to give quilts to Veterans and wounded soldiers.


I'm also having fun doing this, as part of Marjorie Busby's GO! for a Star QOV Challenge, of which Aurifil and AccuQuilt are also sponsors of this fun challenge.  I hope you'll check it out and participate too!

I typically think of using invisible thread for when I'm stitching in the ditch, to stablize a large quilt before I do free-motion quilting.  And I like to use it with machine applique'.   It is also a good thread for curved crosshatching and scallop border. 

Aurifl says their invisible thread  is a zero thread breakage product, with a smoother finish, that it is shiny, but not reflective.  I did my part to put this thread to the test to see if I could break it while sewing, but I couldn't!   I had another brand of invisible thread in my stash, which I never had a pleasant experience sewing with.  In running the two brands of invisible thread thru my fingers, I could tell Auril was perfectly smooth, where the other brand was not.  Aurifil's thread was also finer.  Needless to say, the other brand of invisible thread is now in the trash!

I select either the clear or the dark Aurifil Invisible thread, based on the fabric I'm working on.  And, I'll use Aurifil 40 wt mako in the bobbin.  On my free-motion quilting sample sandwich I did some stitching with Aurfil Invisible thread, along side of where I had already done some FMQ using Aurifil 40 wt Mako.  Can you tell the difference?

I wanted to use it to do a quick reverse applique of some star blocks for Marjorie's QOV Challenge. This was certainly the fastest quilt block I've ever created.  Interested in learning how to do reverse applique' on your machine, using invisible thread?

First, I cut the applique' stars using the AccuQuilt GO! Star 5-point die, by Sarah Vedeler.  Cutting with an AccuQuilt definitely helps make quilts quickly, and while just about any star die would work for this technique, I liked the large size that this die created.  I think it works great with my 12 1/2" blocks.

I placed the right side of the star to the back side of the backing, centering the star on my 12 1/2" background fabric.  Then, I stitched a large "basting" stitch around the star, as close to the edge as possible (~1/8").

Working from the top side of the block, I used scissors to cut away the background fabric, inside of the star, leaving ~ 1/4" of fabric from the basting line.  I then used a bamboo stiletto (any stiletto will work) to tuck that 1/4" fabric under and pressing.  After pressing, I then machine stitched the applique to the fabric.  You can use a straight stitch, zig zag, blanket stitch, or various fancy stitches on your machine that you might like.  But, when using invisible thread remember it is invisble so the stitching really doesn't show when you are finished! 

After you are finished stitching, remove your basting stitch and your block is done.  Again, fast, easy and without thread breakage!

As various invisible threads have historically had issues with ironing, I did some testing of the Aurifil Invisible Thread to see how well it would hold up to the heat of an iron.  For all of my practical pressing, with a hot iron, for what I would typically press a block, it worked fine.  But, I'd still advise anyone using invisible thread to do a test with your own iron first.  And, do not over press, as well as go with the lightest temperature setting that you can get away with.  Best to be safe!

Oh, I also used the Aurifil Invisible Thread to do some repair sewing on a large tote bag that that handles had not been sufficiently secured when I originally stitched it.  If I used regular thread, a color would make it visible that I had done a repair job on this tote.  A few seconds of stitching with Aurifil Invisible thread and the handles are like new and no one will ever see my repair job!

I hope you too will try Aurifil Invisible Thread in your quilting projects.

Did I mention a Giveaway?  Aurifil has generously offered some thread as prizes.

• Five winners will receive two spools of Aurifil Invisible thread, one in clear and one in dark, both with 1094 yards - 1000 mt.
• One lucky winner will receive two large spools of Aurifil Invisible Thread, one in clear and one in dark, both with 16400 yards - 15000 mt.
• One lucky winner will receive "Simple Stitches" collection, by Pat Sloan. This collection of cotton threads contain 10 spools of 40 wt. Mako thread, 150 yards each.

Want to win some Aurifil  Thread ?
To enter, followers can simply leave a comment on this post and let me know which of these prizes you are interested in winning. Winners will randomly be selected and announced next Friday.

Want an extra entry?  "Like" Aurifil Quilt Patchwork and Embroidery Threads on Facebook and leave a comment on the post on their wall, under a photo of my Patriotic Quilt Star block that was shared on April 13th (you should also be able to find it in their photo gallery).  Come back here and leave a 2nd comment, to claim this extra entry.

 

I'm also happy to announce the winners of the Fun Friday Giveaway last week, for a signed copy of the "Twice as Nice...Plus More" quilt pattern, from Quilt in a Day.  The winner of this prize is:
Kim (UnRuly Quilting)


I will send out an email to notify this winners and get their mailing address. If I do not hear back from them within 3 days, that they want to claim their prize, I will draw another name.  I also want to share that I will soon be moving into a mode of hosting giveaways where the winner will need to claim the prize without being notified by email.  Sorry, but I'm spending way too much time notifying people via email and sadly, I get complaints from people that say they didn't receive an email, even when I've sent a 2nd or 3rd email.  To clarify, soon, if you enter a giveaway and want to win you need to actively follow to see if you are selected as a winner and claim the prize according to the rules.  But, for this particular giveaway, I will be sending out an email to the winners.

As always, SewCalGal is willing to ship this prize to anywhere in the world.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and find time to enjoy and create.