I thought I'd write up a quick little tips and tricks post with respect to using a heavier weight (in this case, Aurifil 12wt*) thread in the top spool of your machine.

I have included affiliate links in this post to Amazon.com for your reference and pajama-shopping, couch-surfing pleasure.

If you've never tried using it, you should! It's a really great way to decorate and finish your quilt and sewing projects. The heavier weight thread is a much more accentuated stitch, and is perfect for emphasizing, especially if you use those decorative stitches your machine came with:


Here's a finished pin cushion I made recently featuring Aurifil's 12wt, which I used on the top spool of my Janome MC6500 (click to see it on Amazon) home sewing machine:

Here are just a few tricks I've learned (and thought I would share) when using Aurifil's 12wt on the top spool of my sewing machines:

1. Thread
Using a heavier 'weight' thread will accentuate your stitches on the project you're creating, and I think, make the item look more 'hand' stitched.

I like to use Aurifil's Cotton 12wt - denoted by a red spool color:

(more information on Aurifil's 12wt thread can be found on their site, {here}.)

I have also used Sulky's equivalent and had great results with that, too.

2. Threading
Thread your machine as you normally would with any other spool of thread - make sure to use the thread cap supplied with your machine if it requires one for the particular sized spool you're using.

3. Bobbin
You shouldn't have to adjust bobbin tension. In your bobbin, you should use a lighter weight thread (I use a 50wt Aurifil, and I've heard of others using a 40wt and having success).

4. Needle
You'll have more success with less thread breakage, skipping, etc., if you change your needle. Start with a new, sharp, 90/14 Topstitch/Embroidery Needle. Doesn't matter which brand. I use Organ brand needles (available here on Amazon).

These needles have a larger eye and a groove in the needle to accommodate the thicker thread:

image courtesy of Schmetz Needles

I have found that using these embroidery/topstitch needles have really been the key to my success and to minimizing thread breakage and skipped stitches when using Aurifil 12wt.

To be honest? I actually piece, embroider and quilt with these same Organ brand needles. They're all I use - for everything. They're like my universal, and I use them on all of my machines in this manner.


5. Tension
Modifying your tension to have your threads stitch correctly, not break, etc. will vary by machine - I have a little Singer 9960 and it doesn't require any change to the top tension when sewing with a 12wt, whereas my Janome 6500 requires I drop the top tension to between 0-1. You'll have to play around a bit with your machine to get the perfect stitch - but note - only adjust the top tension, not the bobbin tension. And each stitch style may require a modification in tension, so make sure to check before starting on your project.



6. Presser Foot
This isn't a necessity, but it'll sure make your life a lot easier, especially if you decide on a denser stitch pattern. Choose an applique/embroidery open-toe presser foot, like this:




Pick your stitch! Start playing with all of those stitches that your machine came with, but you never knew when or how to use. Have fun with it!


I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial, and have found it useful. Most of all, if you've never ventured into the world of heavier threads I hope you give it a go - they can be a lot of fun.

If you have any tips or tricks for using heavier weight thread on the top spool of your machine, please feel free to comment below, I'd love to hear them. I hope I haven't forgotten anything, but if I have, I'll make sure to come back and add as needed.

Thanks for reading!

So, I seem to be slowly but surely adding to my stash, bit by bit.

But never sewing any of it.

Does this happen to anyone else?! Please tell me I'm not alone!

I can't seem to find the time to sew! I'm either chasing around my littles, working on Chicago Modern Quilt Guild tech/social media stuff, or trying to fix something around the house.

As for the latter, I'm starting to feel like we may have purchased a lemon. Oi.

Last week, our main sewer pipe and clean-out needed to be fixed, because, oh yes, lucky us, it was leaking. Profusely. Into my laundry room.

Ugh. Ka-CHING!!!

The cast-iron pipe had corroded at the base where it met the flange entering the concrete. We had it repaired, but essentially, a huge section will need to be replaced at some point in the near future, and that will require a jackhammer to get through the footing and concrete floor.

And most likely a total gut of the bathroom we just reno'd as it shares a wall with said pipe.

Easily $2,000-3,000.

Gasp.

So far this year, since our possession date of January 30, 2015, we've had to:

- re-mediate our entire attic from black mold infestation - this was not pleasant, or cheap
- seal foundation cracks on exterior foundation walls (water was pouring in)
- replace the electrical box (it was SPARKING!)
- install a fence (keep my cray-cray lab and even more cray-cray kids in, haha)
- bring electrical up to code in basement
- gut and rebuild a moldy, leaky, health-hazard bathroom
- regrade areas of the front of the house (water was pouring in)
- replace upstairs windows (sash fell out of one, and a bird was living *in* the frame of another)
- fix main sewer line

...and this is only the big stuff. We've done a whole 'lot more than this, most of the smaller stuff ourselves.

Man! On a single income it's amazing we got any of this done. Gar!!

Anywho. C'est la vie?

But, I was feeling a wee bit down, and thought hey, what the heck, I'll add a bit of seasoning to my stash with a peppered cotton bundle from Massdrop:



YUM YUM YUM.

I love peppered cottons. I love their colors, I love the weight, love working with them. My new obsession!

I'm super excited about this bundle!! Adding it to my growing peppered cottons stash :)

Officially cheered up. Hahah.

Linking up today with the super fantastically talented Molli Sparkles for Sunday Stash Share! Make sure to head on over there and see what he's up to!