Thread Painting with Aurifil

This month with Island Batik:

We were challenged to create a thread painting project using Aurifil thread.

The colors of the Urbanization collection matched the threads provided by Aurifil.

Check your local stores for this fabulous collection!

Improv piecing was my choice for the background.

Once the quilt top was finished, I planned the threadwork. The background fabric was my inspiration for the embroidery designs.

I searched and found a Gingko design at Embroidery Library.

Machine embroidery was going to be added to the large piece, but I wanted to practice the actual designs on a smaller scale before I added the designs with my longarm.

Pro Stitcher Designer is the software I use with my HQ Longarm. With a backdrop of the actual quilt, I can plan how I want the large scale embroidery.

I was able to place the individual leaves where I wanted.

It is really amazing how well it can be planned! The background is loaded on the longarm with only a fusible batting.

I liked how the gingko designs worked, but the thread was only 50 weight and I wanted a bit more prominent design so on the large piece I used a double thread.

The 2 colors of hot pink really look fabulous for the Gingko leaves.

Some leaves were done in the pinks and some in purples.

Once I had all the thread embroidery work done, I removed the quilt top and pressed all the wonkiness away.

Then, I loaded the back and a layer of Hobbs heirloom batting and quilted over all the quilt including the embroidery.

Quilting through the embroidery is JUST FINE. Matching the thread to the background will allow the quilting to sink right in and disappear.

I am thoroughly pleased with how this quilt turned out. It will be beautiful hanging on the wall.

Thanks for letting my share some fun with you! Thanks to my sponsors: Disclosure: The products featured here were provided to me free of charge by Island Batik and ByAnnie Be sure to visit all the Island Batik Ambassadors: Carolina Asmussen ~ Carolina Asmussen Pamela Boatright ~ Pamela Quilts Jennifer Fulton ~ Inquiring Quilter Vasudha Govindan ~ Storied Quilts Joanne Hart ~ Unicorn Harts Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for Quilts Carla Henton ~ Create in the Sticks Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood Denise Looney ~ For the Love of Geese Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights Sally Manke ~ Sally Manke Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack's Blog Carol Moellers ~ Carol Moellers Designs Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads Sharon Riley ~ Sew Riley Designs Michelle Roberts ~ Creative Blonde Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail Jennifer Strauser ~ Dizzy Quilter Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations Alison Vermilya ~ Little Bunny Quilts Sandra Walker ~ mmm! quilts Suzy Webster ~ Adventerous Applique and Quilting Janet Yamamoto ~ Whispers of Yore In the light of current events, we really need to find some joy. The bright colors and act of creating with fabric can bring so much joy in a stressful time. I will continue to create in the next few months while I am at home not traveling and teaching. Follow me on Instagram to find more fun and colorful quilt projects (and some gardening and cooking too!). @bestquilter #islandbatik #islandbatikambassador #islandbatik #iloveislandbatik #handiquilter #janome #hobbsbatting