I am finally getting ready to get to work on my Fox wholecloth quilt. In preparation, I did a little bit of playful quilting to understand the differences between Aurifil’s Forty3 and 40wt thread. You can read all about what I learned today on the Auribuzz blog: Aurifil Forty3 vs 40wt.
Aurifil 40wt versus Forty3 – Can you see the difference?
In case you need a little bit of extra motivation, Aurifil is giving away (2) lucky winners a spool of Forty3!
Have you used any new to you thread lately?
Your review was great!!! I need to try Forty3
Hi Yvonne, I read your post over on Aurifill and have a question. Did you use the 40-3 in the bobbin only or in the top as well? I really like your tests. It makes sense that the 40-3 would not go as far as the regular 40 weight in the bobbin. Thank you for a well thought out post. I look forward to seeing your fox quilt.
Great question! I used it on top and in the bobbin as well.
Very cool. I have a cone of this I received at Machine Quilter’s Expo. Now I’m excited to try it out.
Hello Yvonne, I somehow missed the post on the Fox Quilt, it is looking like a fun and thrilling adventure for you. I find it to be magnificent the way you and your husband work on projects together. My guess is the smaller Fox is your husband, due to the design of outdoor and the bright star/sun (so sorry, Yvonne, my memory went blank already and that is why I put both…my memory is getting worse on so many things). I look forward to seeing this whole cloth quilt finished. It is going to be amazing! Thank you for sharing!
Informative post, Yvonne. Thanks for sharing the differences in the 40 weights.
It’s easy enough to see that one thread is heavier than the other, but which is which? Is the Aurifil the heavier of the two? I’d very much like to try using a 40wt on one of my next projects. I’m having a little trouble finding someplace where I can buy just one spool or cone for testing purchases. I don’t go out too much, especially in winter so online stores are my “go-to” sources.
I expect you have an online source to suggest?
Perhaps I can offer a tip in return. I’ve always hated messing about with thread ends that need to be hidden, UNTIL I came up with the following. (Unfortunately it works best if you have an auto-cutter on your machine but it can be done without it.)
When I reach a place in my quilt where I have no choice but to cut threads, I leave the presser foot & needle up and pull the quilt at least 4 inches away from the needle. Then I auto cut and use the top thread to pull the lower thread to the top of the quilt. Yep, you read that right, I bring it to the top and tie a little knot just a tiny bit above the quilt surface. Then I use a child’s glue stick to stiffen the thread – I lay the middle of the threads on the open glue stick, put my thumb on top and pull the threads through the glue under my finger. Depending on the condition of the glue stick (they can dry out quickly), I’ll do this once or twice. Within seconds, the threads are stiff enough to EASILY run through the eye of a crewel embroidery needle (large eye/sharp point) so I immediately slip it into the batting and pull the knot underneath. Done! This may sound cumbersome but It actually takes very little time, leaves almost no sticky residue on your finger and it’s wonderful to finish a quilt having almost no hanging threads to hide! And you’d never know they were buried on the top rather than the back, especially if you slip the needle in through an existing needle hole. Even if you find yourself with an annoyingly short thread – as short as 1/4″ – the glue stick technique will allow you slip your needle into the batting, stick that naughty little bit through the eye and bury it.
I LOVE your fox outlines, their poses are charming and so realistic – can’t wait to see your finished product! You are SO generous about sharing tips and ideas. I’m sure all of your followers truly appreciate it.
Thanks again for your marvelous and encouraging ideas.
Great article!!
It’s a great article, Yvonne, and I found the pictures very helpful. Although I don’t currently machine quilt, I do consider it sometimes and one of the things that has put me off is that I would prefer a thicker line than normal 40wt thread gives.
I love my Aurifil threads, have never tried this wt though… I use 12wt when I am hand quilting, but have been told pearl cotton maybe better for that? We shall see I just bought some to try I maybe going right back to my Aurifil!
I agree – you do very comprehensive reviews and I appreciate that. Good to hear about the Forty3!