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:
Indanthren Dyed Maximum washing temperature: 160F / 70C Maximum ironing temperature:
300F / 150C Use chlorine: Yes - In cold water Dry cleaning: Yes Tumble dry in warm air: No
Reactive Dyed Maximum washing temperature:
140F / 60C Maximum ironing temperature: 300F / 150C Use chlorine: No Dry cleaning: Yes Tumble dry in warm air: No
Multicolored / Variegated Maximum washing temperature: 85F / 30C Maximum ironing temperature:
110C / 230F Use chlorine: No Dry cleaning: Yes Tumble dry in warm air: No
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:
Bobbin lace Cross stitch Edge-to-edge sewing
Hand piecing Longarm quilting Machine applique
Machine embroidery Machine lace
Pantographs
Aurifil 40-Weight cotton thread is wound on green spools. The 1000 meter / 1094 yard spools are approximately 1.25 inches at the base, and stand about 2.75 inches tall.
Aurifil 40-Weight cotton thread is wound on green cones. The 4700 meter / 5140 yard cones are approximately 2.50 inches at the base without the thread, and stand about 4.75 inches tall.
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:
Basting Bobbin lace background designs
Dense machine quilting English paper piecing Hand piecing
Longarm quilting Machine applique
Machine lace
Aurifil 50-Weight cotton thread is wound on orange spools. The 1300-meter / 1422-yard spools are approximately 1.25 inches at the base, and stand about 2.75 inches tall.
Aurifil 50-Weight cotton thread is wound on orange cones. The 5,900 meter / 6,452-yard cones are approximately 2.50 inches at the base without the thread, and stand about 4.75 inches tall.
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:
Aurifil Forty3 cotton thread is wound on yellow cones. The 3000-meter / 3280-yard cones are approximately 2.50 inches at the base without the thread, and stand about 4.75 inches tall.
