Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts

Saturday, October 21, 2017

The Subtle Sampler - Dreams Really Do Come True

...and I couldn't be more excited. 

I've been using and bragging about my love of Aurifil thread for nearly 5 YEARS!  

One project after another has been successfully pieced, appliqued, and machine quilted using this amazingly strong, colorful and versatile thread.

Remember these sweet little bird pillows? 
They were one of my earliest projects using Aurifil thread. (July, 2013)

On suggestion from my dear quilty mentor Wendy Sheppard, I used Aurifil 50wt to quilt the pillows on my home machine, McTavish style.   
That's all it took -- they turned out wonderfully and I was SOLD on Aurifil.
Learn more by clicking here.
Here we are 5 years and 40 or 50 Aurifil quilts later and I've been given the opportunity to curate my very own Aurifil thread collection!
Thank you Aurifil...

Meet
The Subtle Sampler
 by Karen L. Miller ~ Redbird Quilt Co.
for Aurifil
 The Subtle Sampler is comprised of 4 different weights of luscious Aurifil Mako Cotton thread (50, 40, 28, & 12), PLUS 2 spools of Nylon Monofilament thread.
Oh so YUMMY!
The collection provides a wide variety of color and weight choices for all your quilting pleasures.

The 50Wt thread is perfect for your bobbin; matter of fact, I choose color #2312 because it's a perfect neutral tone, and when used in the bobbin, will complement a number of different top thread colors.

50Wt #2312 is also great for a variety of hand applique techniques.  It blends perfectly with neutral backgrounds and melts right into earthen tone applique pieces.
Simply Spring Fleur by Karen L. Miller Redbird Quilt Co - Fabric by BariJ - Millie Fleur for Art Gallery Fabrics
My other 50Wt color choice was #2000 --- Oh to use this color and weight on muslin colored fabric is like heaven.  It's my go-to color for background quilting many of my wool pieces.
Wooly Wren by Karen L. Miller ~ Redbird Quilt Co
While we're talking about wool applique -- the 12Wt thread in the collection is PERFECT for wool applique and big stitch quilting.  Selecting subtle colors (#6722, #6723) allows them to be used in a variety of projects.   Stay tuned for some fun project shares with these colors.

On the image below I had fun making the flower embellishments by crocheting with Aurifil 12Wt thread:
Simply Spring Fleur by Karen L. Miller Redbird Quilt Co - Fabric by BariJ - Millie Fleur for Art Gallery Fabrics
The remaining colors in 40 and 28Wt threads are fun and I think you'll find them quite versatile!  Several of the colors were used in the whimsical World of Susybee panels that I quilt.  
Zoe the Giraffe uses 40Wt Color #5017 and #5006.
It also uses 28Wt Color #2130 and #2880.
The 40Wt and 28Wt threads are perfect when you want the thread to take center stage.  They're heavy enough machine quilt with them - and soft and pliable so that hand work is fun too!

I couldn't be more excited about this collection.

Stay tuned as I share more information, inspiration and tutorials using The Subtle Sampler.

Below you'll find a helpful reference sheet for The Subtle Sampler.
I've outlined a variety of uses for each weight of thread, needle sizes, bobbin weights and tension adjustments.
I hope you find it handy to have in your Quilty toolkit.
You can download and print the PDF from here.
Would you like to purchase The Subtle Sampler?  
Look for it in your local quilt shop -- ask for it by name, and I'm sure they'll order it for you. 

In the meantime I too can sell the collection.  If you can't find it locally, feel free to email me for more information.

Lastly -- The Giveaway!!
We're giving away The Subtle Sampler Collection and A Quilter's Doodles Coloring/Inspiration book!

To enter:
Leave a comment on this blog post telling me what weights of Aurifil you've used in past projects. 
Entries will be accepted now through 11:59pm Eastern Time on Saturday, November 4! Winner will be randomly selected and announced here on Monday, November 6. Good luck!

Also -- be sure to jump over to the Official Aurifil Announcement Post to get in on their giveaway of The Subtle Sampler!
Thank you all so much for the visit and I wish you best of luck in the giveaways!
Happy Quilting!
Karen

Learn more about how to use various thread weights in these Facebook Live Sessions
hosted by Aurifil at International Quilt Market: 

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***  Guilds, Groups and Shops ***

I'm booking Lectures, Trunk Shows and Workshops
for the 2nd half of 2018 & all of 2019
If your Shop, Group or Guild is looking for programs or workshops I would love to hear from you.


Free Motion Quilting on Home Machines
Basics ~ A Quilters Doodles ~ McTavishing
A Full Day of Feathers
Ruler & Template Work
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Wool & Needle turn Applique
Technique or Project Oriented Workshops available.

Click here to see my upcoming events.
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Send email inquiries to karen at redbirdquiltco dot com
or redbirdquiltco at gmail dot com


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