Why Choose Aurifil Thread?
If you’ve spent any time quilting or sewing, you’ve likely heard of Aurifil thread—and for good reason. Favoured by quilters, embroiderers, and dressmakers, it’s known for its strength, smooth finish, and low lint. Made from 100% high-quality cotton, it runs beautifully through sewing machines with minimal friction and buildup.
But what really sets Aurifil apart is the range of weights, each designed for a specific purpose, so you get better results simply by choosing the right one.
Table of Contents
- Why Choose Aurifil Thread?
- Understanding Aurifil Thread Weights
- 50wt - The Essential All-Rounder
- 40wt - Stronger Definition & Versatility
- 28wt - Decorative Texture & Impact
- 80wt - Ultra Fine & Almost Invisible
- 12wt - Bold, Heavy & Decorative
- Spool Colours – A Small Detail That Helps
- A Perfect Starting Point: Aurifil Color Builder Sets
- Why Aurifil Makes a Noticeable Difference
- Final Thought
- FAQs
"All round great experience when dealing with Barnyarns. Great products at the right price. Great discounts. Very quick to respond to any queries. Would not hesitate to recommend to anyone." - Kerry D
Understanding Aurifil Thread Weights
50wt - The Essential All-Rounder
Aurifil 50wt (Mako 50) is the most popular choice, and for good reason.
- Fine, smooth 100% cotton thread
- Supplied on 1300m reels and larger 5900m cones
- Ideal for:
- Piecing
- Appliqué (machine and hand)
- Straight stitch, small zig zag, blind hemming & blanket stitch
- Excellent as a bobbin thread to balance other top threads
- Also suitable for delicate work like machine lace and hand appliqué
Recommended needle: 70/10 – 80/12
If you’re unsure where to start, this is the one.
40wt - Stronger Definition & Versatility
Aurifil 40wt is slightly thicker, giving your stitching more presence.
- Made from high-grade 100% cotton
- Available in 270 colours (on a distinctive green spool)
- Ideal for:
- Bags, toys, dolls & garments
- Quilting where you want visible stitch definition
- Topstitching
Also highly versatile:
- Machine: appliqué, embroidery, longarm quilting, pantographs
- Hand: cross stitch (single/double/triple strand), hand piecing, lace
Recommended needle: 80/12 (or size 3.5 - 4.0 Longarm)
A great choice when you want your stitching to stand out more.
28wt - Decorative Texture & Impact
Aurifil 28wt is one of the heavier threads, perfect when texture matters.
- Wound on a grey spool for easy identification
- Adds noticeable texture and dimension
- Suitable for:
- Hand quilting & hand appliqué
- Machine quilting & embroidery
- Decorative stitching and blanket stitch
- Longarm quilting and serging
Recommended needle: 90/14 (or size 4.0 longarm)
This is where thread becomes a design feature, not just functional.
80wt - Ultra Fine & Almost Invisible
Aurifil 80wt is the finest thread in the range, designed to disappear into fabric.
- Made from 100% cotton, wound on traditional wooden spools
- Available in 88 colours
- Perfect for:
- English Paper Piecing
- Hand appliqué
- Machine appliqué & embroidery
- Free motion quilting and couching
Recommended needle: 70/10
Use this when you don’t want to see the thread at all.
12wt - Bold, Heavy & Decorative
Aurifil 12wt is the heaviest thread in the range, and one of the heaviest you can comfortably run through a machine.
- 100% cotton, on a red spool for easy identification
- Available in 50m and 325m reels
- Ideal for:
- Hand embroidery, appliqué & quilting
- Sashiko, redwork & embellishment
- Machine appliqué and decorative stitching
- Art quilting and longarm quilting
Works best with longer stitch lengths for maximum impact.
Recommended needle:
- 90/14 or 100/16 Topstitch
- Size 4.5 longarm
Perfect for bold, modern quilting and statement detail.
Spool Colours – A Small Detail That Helps
Aurifil makes life easier by colour-coding their spools:
- Red -12wt
- Grey - 28wt
- Green - 40wt
- Orange - 50wt
A simple but genuinely useful feature when your thread stash grows.
A Perfect Starting Point: Aurifil Color Builder Sets
If you’re new to Aurifil, choosing colours can feel overwhelming. The Colour Builder Sets solve that instantly.
Each set includes:
- 3 x 50wt threads
- Beautifully coordinated shades that work together effortlessly
They’re ideal for:
- Trying Aurifil for the first time
- Building a colour-coordinated thread stash
- Removing the guesswork from colour matching
These are one of the easiest ways to get started, and they’re very giftable too.
Aurifil Colour Builder - SARDINIA PINK
£29.95
SARDINIA by Aurifil3 LARGE SPOOLS COTTON 50WTColors included:2410 2425 2530 The Spiaggia Rosa sparkles and glistens in the Summer sun. Waves lap at the shore while your feet slowly sink deeper into the pink sand. You stand, perfectly still, a… read more
Why Aurifil Makes a Noticeable Difference
This is where customers really see the benefit:
- Smooth, consistent stitch quality
- Less lint build-up in your machine
- Fewer thread breaks
- Better tension control
If you’ve ever struggled with skipped stitches or uneven results, upgrading to aurifil thread can make a bigger difference than you’d expect.
Final Thought
Better thread doesn’t just improve your sewing- it makes the whole process smoother, more enjoyable, and more reliable. Shop Now
FAQs
Which Aurifil thread should I start with?
50wt is the best all-rounder and ideal for most sewing and quilting tasks.
Can I use Aurifil in the bobbin?
Yes - 50wt is especially popular as a bobbin thread to balance top threads.
Do I need to change my needle?
Yes - matching your needle size to the thread weight will give the best results and reduce friction.
Is Aurifil suitable for both hand and machine sewing?
Absolutely- most weights are designed to work beautifully for both.
