When it comes to quilting and piecing fabrics together, having the right thread color can make all the difference in pulling your project together. Aurifil thread is a top choice among quilters for its high quality and vast range of colors. But with so many options to choose from, how do you know which Aurifil color is the best for piecing your next quilt? This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to select the perfect piecing thread color for your quilt.
Choosing a Piecing Thread Color
Here are some tips for selecting an Aurifil piecing thread color:
- Match the thread color to the predominant fabric color in your quilt. This helps the thread blend in and not stand out.
- Use a neutral color like gray, beige or taupe if piecing together fabrics of many different colors.
- Pick a darker shade if piecing darker fabrics and a lighter shade for lighter fabrics.
- Contrasting colors can also work well, adding visual interest to the seams while remaining subtle.
- Consider how the lighting where the quilt will hang affects color perception.
- Audition thread colors by stitching sample seam swatches before piecing the whole quilt.
Best Aurifil Thread Colors for Piecing
Here are some of the most versatile and popular Aurifil thread colors for piecing:
Neutrals
- 1220 Beige – perfect neutral for piecing all light fabrics
- 1250 Mushroom – medium neutral great for beiges and browns
- 1260 Taupe – lovely soft gray-brown for piecing neutrals
- 5021 Gray – ideal neutral gray for any color fabrics
Light Colors
- 2220 Lemon – brightens up light fabrics
- 2250 Buttercream – fresh light yellow, good for lights
- 2380 Lilac – soft light purple accent
- 2480 Baby Blue – subtle light blue
Medium Colors
- 1180 Hazelnut – rich brown blend for mediums
- 1300 Dusty Rose – perfect rosy pink for mixing
- 1320 Pale Yellow – warm muted yellow for mediums
- 2500 Sky Blue – pretty soft medium blue
Dark Colors
- 1050 Chocolate – deep reddish brown for darks
- 1120 Black – classic black that pairs with everything
- 1220 Charcoal – dark gray perfect with bold saturated fabrics
- 2170 Royal Blue – striking deep blue for dark accents
Choosing Colors for Specific Fabric Types
Here are some Aurifil thread color recommendations for common fabric types used in piecing:
| Fabric Type | Recommended Aurifil Colors |
|---|---|
| Batiks | 1300 Dusty Rose, 2350 Lilac, 1050 Chocolate |
| Floral Prints | 1220 Beige, 2170 Royal Blue, 1250 Mushroom |
| 1930s Reproduction | 5021 Gray, 2500 Sky Blue, 2480 Baby Blue |
| Civil War Reproduction | 1260 Taupe, 1100 Cream, 1180 Hazelnut |
| 1930s Reproduction | 5021 Gray, 2500 Sky Blue, 2480 Baby Blue |
| Solids | Match thread color to fabric color |
| Polka Dots | Neutral matching dot color or contrasting color |
| Plaids & Stripes | Match thread to most prevalent color |
Choosing Colors for Quilt Patterns
Certain Aurifil thread colors work especially well for popular quilt block patterns:
| Quilt Pattern | Recommended Aurifil Colors |
|---|---|
| Log Cabin | 1100 Cream, 1250 Mushroom, 2170 Royal Blue |
| Double Wedding Ring | 2350 Lilac, 2430 Lavender, 5021 Gray |
| Bear Paw | 1050 Chocolate, 1180 Hazelnut, 1260 Taupe |
| Flying Geese | 2220 Lemon, 2380 Lilac, 2500 Sky Blue |
| Dresden Plate | 1300 Dusty Rose, 2250 Buttercream, 2050 Rose |
| Amish Quilt Patterns | 1220 Beige, 1250 Mushroom, 5021 Gray |
Factors that Affect Thread Color Appearance
Keep these things in mind when selecting thread color, as they can alter how the color looks in your finished quilt:
- Lighting – color appears different in natural sunlight, LED lights, incandescent bulbs, etc.
- Fabric Colors – hue of the thread will change slightly against different fabric hues
- Number of Layers – more fabric layers can deepen the thread color subtly
- Optical Illusions -VALUE and contrast effects can make colors seem lighter/brighter or darker
Test stitching sample sandwich blocks with your fabric and lighting will help you pick the right color.
Choosing Variations of the Same Color
Aurifil offers shade variations for many of their colors. For example:
- 2480 Baby Blue
- 2485 Baby Blue Medium
- 2490 Baby Blue Dark
Use the medium and dark varations when piecing progressively darker fabrics. The dark baby blue will stand out less against navy fabrics than the light 2480 shade.
Matching Aurifil Thread Colors to Fabric
Having trouble matching a fabric to an Aurifil thread color? Try these tips:
- Analyze whether warm, neutral or cool tones are dominant in the fabric and choose a thread shade that matches.
- Hold different Aurifil shades next to the fabric in natural light to see which matches best.
- Use a neutral if you can’t match the exact color.
- Don’t overthink it! The thread blends into the seam allowance, so an approximate match is often fine.
Choosing Multiple Aurifil Thread Colors for a Project
Guidelines for selecting more than one thread color for piecing a quilt:
- Limit yourself to 3 or less colors for a cohesive look.
- Include a neutral like 1220 Beige to tie disparate colors together.
- Make one color dominant at 60-70% use, the second 30% and third accent color 5-10%.
- Determine the total number of different fabrics and choose thread colors in the same proportion.
- Pick a lighter and darker shade of one color rather than two completely different colors.
Aurifil Thread Tips for Hand Piecing
Some tips for choosing Aurifil thread colors for hand piecing quilting projects:
- Use a slightly heavier thread like Aurifil’s 28 wt.
- Lean towards neutral medium shades that will hide knots.
- Avoid blacks and really dark colors that show knots.
- Consider variegated threads to subtly blend the knots.
- Match the thread color to the fabric or use a contrasting color to make stitches part of the design.
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect Aurifil thread color for piecing your next quilt may seem complicated, but following the tips in this guide will help you select a shade that brings out the best in your fabrics. Matching the thread color to the predominant fabric hue or using a versatile neutral is a good starting point. Auditioning samples during the planning process helps ensure the color looks how you expect when pieced. With so many superb Aurifil thread options, you’re sure to find just the right color match to make your quilt sing!