Aurifil Cotton Thread Buying Guide

Information Topics
Aurifil Buying Guide
About Aurifil Cotton
Caring for Aurifil Cotton
Our Aurifil Products
Aurifil Cotton Weights and Uses

Related Information
Aurifil Cotton Publications

Aurifil Selections
Aurifil Cotton - Shop By Color Group
Aurifil Cotton Thread - 40-Weight - Spools
Aurifil Cotton Thread - 40-Weight - Cones
Aurifil Cotton Thread - 50-Weight - Spools
Aurifil Cotton Thread - 50-Weight - Cones
Aurifil Cotton Thread - 40-Wt / 3-Ply Cones

Aurifil Buying Guide
Aurifil is 100% Egyptian cotton grown in the Mako region on the Nile. Like wine, geography affects quality. The Mako region is famous for the its long staple cotton that is stronger, softer, and more durable than other kinds of cotton. We currently sell Aurifil's 40-weight, 50-weight, and Forty3 -- a 3-ply 40-weight thread designed for high speed Longarm quilting.

About Aurifil Cotton
Aurifil cotton is made in Milan, Italy using a 15-step process to ensure quality. The thread is mercerized to add strength and a beautiful sheen. During winding, it is passed through a transparent paraffin oil to help it glide through your machine without leaving any type of residue.

Caring for Aurifil Cotton
Like all colorful textiles, Aurifil colors may bleed if not cared for properly. Aurifil uses the Indanthren method to dye 249 of its 270 colors because it gives the highest level of colorfastness. There are 21 colors dyed using the slightly less stable Reactive method. They are identified on our site. For best results Aurifil recommends following thread care standards:

Aurifil threads are not organic. They are Oeko-Tex certified. This means that Aurifil threads are free from harmful chemicals and are safe for human use. In quilter's terms you and your loved ones can wrap yourselves and your quilts without worry.

Our Aurifil Products
Currently, we sell Aurifil Cotton on 40-Weight and 50-Weight large spools and cones in 270 colors. We also sell Aurifil 40-Weight / 3-Ply cotton cones in 50 colors.
Note: 40-Weight thread is thicker and stronger than 50-Weight thread.

40-Weight
Aurifil 40-Weight 100% Egyptian, Mako cotton comes on 1000-meter / 1094-yard spools and 4700-meter / 5140-yard cones and is available in 270 colors. Use an 80 /12 microtex / sharp, universal, or denim needle, OR a 90 / 14 or 75 / 11 quilting needle, OR a 3.5 or 4.0 longarm quilting needle. Use 50-weight bobbin thread. 40-weight cotton is slightly thicker than 50-weight making it perfect for sewing bags, toys or dolls, garments, or when a more defined topstitching or quilting pattern is desired. It is recommended for:

50-Weight
Aurifil 50-Weight 100% Egyptian Mako cotton comes on 1300-meter / 1422-yard spools and 5,900 meter / 6,452-yard cones. It is available in 270 colors. Use an 80 / 12 microtex, sharp, universal or denim 4.0 needle and 50-weight bobbin thread. This lighter weight thread is recommended for:

Forty3
40-Weight / 3-Ply - Aurifil 40-Weight / 3-Ply 100% Egyptian cotton comes on 3000-meter / 3280-yard cones in 50 colors. Use a 90 / 14 or 100 / 16 topstitching needle, OR a 4.0 or 4.5 Longarm needle. Use either 40-weight or 50-weight bobbin thread. It is specifically designed for today's high-speed, high tech Longarm machines. It retains the versatility, lustrous color and virtually lint free properties of 40-weight / 2-ply cotton with the added benefit of extra strength. It is recommended for: