Hey there, Q-Bies!
Did you ever want to get into the head of a particular quilter and pick their brain about quilterly things? We did! And we did! We (along with Lisa Fulmer of CraftFoxes – check out the CraftFoxes blog!) recently had the opportunity to ask a few questions of quilter, teacher, author, fabric designer and now thread collection designer Angela Walters of Quilting is My Therapy and to chat up about her new thread collection with Aurifil inspired by Drift her fabric line with Art Gallery Fabrics.
GQ/CF: How did you come to design the thread collection?
Angela Walters: As a fabric designer for Art Gallery Fabrics, I was approached by Aurifil to put together a thread collection inspired by my current fabric collection, Drift.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This collection is fab for quilters who want to practice their machine quilting technique full of feathers, pathways, droplets and other shapes quilters enjoy incorporating into their quilting.)
GQ/CF: Tell us what makes the colors in your new collection special – what was your inspiration?
Angela: The thread colors I picked were inspired by a trip that I took to tropical St. John. I chose blues (for the oceans), corals (inspired by the beach houses) and some lighter neutrals to work on a range of fabrics.
GQ/CF Do you have a passion for thread? Please share your thoughts – is it similar to a fabric addiction?
Angela: I often joke, if quilting is my therapy, then threads are my meds. I am probably more addicted to threads than fabric (since I have a machine quilting business) I try to keep a bunch of different colors around since I never know what quilt will walk through the door.
GQ/CF Please share a couple tips about thread weight – how do you know what weight to choose for what kind of project?
Angela: When machine quilting, I like the thread to blend in with the quilt top. So I will often use a 50wt thread. However, if you wanted the quilting to show up more, a 40wt would be perfect.
GQ/CF Are your threads ideal primarily for quilting, or are they suitable for craft sewing too?
Angela: Since, I can barely sew a straight line, my threads are primarily for quilting. But I love that Aurifil thread can go from my sewing machine to my longarm without any trouble!
GQ/CF Do you have a “thread mishap” story to tell – something funny or embarrassing or just a “fail” we can learn from?
Hmm….nothing that is too interesting. I have struggled with tension issues before….but don’t we all, lol!! Well, a little birdie fox, told us about this dilemma.
What quilter wouldn’t want to win the Drift Collection of thread (a $130 value) inspired by the Drift Collection of fabric? Click here the deadline is Sunday, July 6th. The winner will be announced as an update to this post on Tuesday, July 8th.
CraftFoxes is where you can find a huge variety of sewing and crafting projects and inspiration from thousands of creative bloggers and crafters
Congratulations: to our winner is Jayne Mathison Griffith of Ontario Canada winner of the Auriful Drift Collection!
{ 112 comments… read them below or add one }
Incredible color palette. I’m in love!
I love these colours, especially the blues!
I am new to the quilting part of quilt making and am intrigued by the thread. Thanks for a little insight to the design behind the collection.
Also, the most inspiring thing from my last vacation is the gentle sound of the wind chimes from my last trip to Hilton Head Island.
My last vacation was to Paris and the French countryside. The thing that inspired me most was the French people. Very nice and friendly. I loved everything about the country.
The ocean and beach was inspiring!
I just returned two days ago from an Alaskan Cruise and I was inspired by the many different colors of the glaciers and water through0ut the trip!
Such lovely colors! They would be quite happy at my house.
Our last holiday was at Lake Garda in Italy. Everything was stunning even down to the brightly coloured, huge fruit in the markets.
looking out my window and watching a huge group of blackbirds fly up left me speachless
Love Aurifil thread. Such beautiful colors. Thanks for the giveaway.
Beautiful fabrics and threads!
I really like the colors of this great thread collection! Thanks for the chance to win!
That would be Las Vegas. Inspiring–glad to get out with home and bank account in tack! Really, the colors of the desert are stupendous.
We’ve been going on short, monthly camping trips with my small kiddos instead of a big vacation–the flowers are the most inspiring to me–they’ve everywhere, despite a terrible drought, and they are so vivid and varied in size, shape and color.
Love the colors.
What was inspiring about my last vacation? My husband and I went on a Disney cruise, and I loved the stop at their private island in the Bahamas – I have never seen such clear blue water!! Every time I look at solid fabrics I gravitate towards the teal/turquoise trying to duplicate the color. Funny thing, too, the carpet in our suite looked just like Angela’s Swirls in Jade from her Textures line! Thanks for the give away!
I love the colors!!!
My last vacation was when my husband was well and we went to Daytona Beach in Florida. Walking along the beach in the moonlight was one thing we did. He became ill with cancer after this vacation . He passed away last Dec after fighting cancer for 7 years. I will always cherish that memory
Last vacation was so long ago, I cannot remember!
I love aurifil thread!
The great big open sky!
Love your work AND the thread collection! My passion is collecting patterns but I also collect fabric and thread!!!
Comment on last vacation! Last week we went to Utah and I was able to visit my favorite quilt store in Sandy! I love their walls, so full of samples and new patterns to try! I couldn’t wait to get back to CA and sew!!!
Am I addicted to thread in the same way that I’m addicted to fabric? Of course not silly people! I’m addicted to fabric, but I tend to hoard thread! And, Aurifil is my favorite thread to hoard ~ in my dream world, I will have every color displayed beautifully in my room!
I would love to see a photo of your home thread collection! I promise I would keep my drool to myself! I bet there is oodles of Aurifil.
I’m always inspired by the beach or getting back to my undergraduate school, Kenyon, which has been voted the most beautiful campus in the U.S. more than once!
My last was a stay-cation since we’re still relatively new to Nashville. So much greatness right here at home! I love this place.
My machine and I both love Aurifil 50w threads. This collection is calming & inspiring at the same time. I just went on a weekend getaway with 9 other women. It was amazing to reconnect, develop friendships, laugh, and share a glorious time together in the San Juan Islands.
Great collection, thanks!
This thread is my absolute favorite. I would be honored if I won such a rainbow of thread. Here’s hoping.
Vacation? It’s been so long…I vaguely remember it was to San Antonio Texas…ahh yes…the Riverwalk Boat Ride in the evening. Or was it just a dream…
My last “real” vacation was in March, when I visited with my sister in Naple, Florida. The beach, the sunsets, the dolphins, time with my sister…….all memorable
My last vacation was in Lancaster, PA and I was so inspired by all the gorgeous Amish quilts and the beautiful had quilting!
HI, loved our trip to St. Augustine, Florida >beautiful beaches+dining.
Most inspiring is that clear aqua water! Thanks for sharing a great
Aurifil Giveaway!
Beautiful thread collection — I can see from your photos why you were inspired to create this collection.
thanks!
I love how Aurifil has all these wonderful colored threads that go in a set all boxed up…Good luck to everyone!
The most inspiring thing was my friends and family, the ocean and all the quilt shops I visited..
On my last vacation (a mere three weeks ago), I actually revisited an old friend I hadn’t seen in many years: cross stitching! I began work on a sampler that I thought I could finish in a “reasonable” amount of time and learned that my poor eyes can’t keep up with the size of the canvas or linen! I guess I’m going to have to start using the magnifier on my Ott light more often!
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
oohh love aurifil and so do my vintage machines…
The calm restful day at the shore.
Quilting gives me self confidence. When things go right the sky is the limited, and I there with great thread! It really does make a difference thank you Aurifil!
The love of the ones with me is what inspires me.
I got to visit my Grandkids! I know I was in Texas, but don’t remember much about it, just remember the good times I had with the kids!
I loved the forests and mossy branches I saw on my last vacation!
Wonderful colors. I think everyone has wasted a day or two on thread tensions. It’s sort of a rite of passage, that and threading an older Serger. Who says the good old days. Loved the interview. Your quilting is so beautiful, why blend it in? It is art unto itself.
Hello, having such a fun time exploring this giveaway. Thank-you. My last vacation was a trip to the Oregon Coast.
My last vacation was a trip to see my mom in Florida. It was inspiring to watch the relationship my kids have with her. Since I don’t get to see it very often, it is really heartwarming to see the love between the people that I love!
Those are the colours I use! Thanks for the giveaway.
Love those aquas the most!
I follow Angela on Instagram…just found out she was in my area!!
The fabric with quilting designs is GENIUS!
Oops, forgot to answer the Rafflecopter question…
The most inspiring about my last vacation, to the mountains of SW Colorado was that my hubby and I reconnected and it was like a second honeymoon just weeks before our 23rd anniversary! The nature was lovely, too, and we were able to do some 4-wheeling, which was so much fun! We had lazy days, movie nights, and lots of cuddling!
The scenery was inspiring. I like seeing wildlife and beautiful places.
delightful colors in this aurifil box! wish I tweeted and pinned … I could have lots of entries. thanx for the chance to win this thread.
delightful colors in this aurifil box! wish I tweeted and pinned … I could have lots of entries. thanx for the chance to win this thread. ….. I’ve not been on vacation, sigh, for these last few years.
I love Aurifil thread.
I loved seeing the Atlantic ocean and eating a fresh lobster dinner! Thanks for the giveaway!
tdkcarpenoctem@hotmail.com
When I saw the drift! I preordered it through Fat Quarter Shop. I also have ordered Pat Sloan’s Pure essentials in the solids. .Now I need the thread and I am ready to make my granddaughter’s “going to college” quilt!
I live on a boat, and am often inspired by the water around me. The colors in this thread collection could be a snapshot of my life. Love it!
Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
Love the color variety. Would love to win
Our last trip was to Washington, DC and Gettysburg. We were lucky enough to be midvacation when the Government shut down! So, while we weren’t able to visit many of the usual sites, I was inspired by the little town and train station in Gettysburg. (And being a scrapbooker as well, I took pictures of all of the “Closed due to Government Shutdown” signs–because I have to scrapbook something, right!?
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The calm rhythm of the ocean.
Beautiful colors! Love the Aurifil !
Yummy thread! Would suit the pixel quilt I’m working on very well. Thanks for the giveaway.
I love needle turn applique’, so you can never have enough tread. My favorite is of course Aurifil – it’s the best!
I also have a longarm so I really go through thread and always welcome free thread.
My last vacation was to Tasmania, an island off the south coast of Australia & the scenery was incredibly inspiring, beautiful forests, gorgeous beaches & spectacular old convict built sandstone houses & churches.
On my last vacation I visited Old Quebec City. I love to photograph scenery and one picture I took was turned into a fractured art quilt with the help of three other ladies. It was beautiful.
My last vacation was to Del Mar California to attend my brother’s wedding. I had never seen the Pacific before and it was so beautiful. The plants, the beach, and the water was all inspiring with the textures and colors! It was paradise!
The most inspiring thing on my last vacation was the fabulous quilt stores I visited! I always try to locate a quilt store while I am traveling. I have come up with some pretty cool ideas & things. I love the colors in Aurifil thread!
My last vacation was an ACCUQUILT retreat… Pretty inspiring. Ha ha!
My last holiday was a trip to the East Coast – Montreal – New York – Philadelphia. We got the train from NY – Montreal and the colours were so inspiring! The trees, the montains, the lakes – amazing! I want to go back! Very similar colours to the Drift set
My last vacation was my family and my mom and dad. I was inspired by their love and companionship.
These colors are just scrumptious!!! Hoping I win this beautiful boxful of Yumminess! My most inspiring part of the last vacation I took was the beautiful water, silver sands lush plants, early morning sunrises and the evening sunsets in the Caribbean! Just beautiful like this box of Aurifil Thread
Driving through Southern Utah and Arizona on our way to Phoenix is so beautiful and colorful!
Arches, buttes, desert, sage, pine, cactus, conifers, red rock and sand, blue-green Lake Powell and Green River passing over the Grand Canyon. Sunsets and blue sky! So many colors.
reillyr2(at)hptmail(dot)com
We rented a condo right on the beach in San Diego where family and friends could come and visit. We loved the ocean!
I haven’t had a real vacation in a few years, but the day trips have been fun. I’m always inspired by the Airing of the Quilts, in Tunkhannock, PA, the first Saturday in October. There are quilts hanging everywhere in the town, plus 3 indoor shows.
We haven’t gone on vacation for years, too many health problems. I love summer though, and love waking up to the birds chirping in the trees outside my window. I look forward to it all winter.
We took a vacation to southern Utah and hiked in many national parks. The scenery was inspiring!
I think I need Drift. I have been staring at it online over and over. I loved her last collection and am making a quilt out of it. Thanks!
my last vacation was in San Juan – I loved listening to the Koqui frogs every evening! So fun and relaxing there!
I love to vacation! I live in Greece and we have the best beaches and waters. But our last vacation was to the Monument Valley in the US and the rock formations were very inspiring.
Quilt shops on my way to Montana. This lady is amazing, thanks for sharing. Thanks for the generous giveaway.
The most inspiring thing about my last vacation was the gorgeous animals. We went to Seattle and to two zoos. Seeing gorillas, a polar bear, sea lions, lemurs, etc…, up close was so awesome! I have always loved animals and find them endlessly inspiring!
My last vacation was in the Rocky Mountains in BC, Canada. The mountains are always awe inspiring, and remind you of your place in the universe. Thanks!
My last vacation was in Hawaii. The flowers there was a huge inspiration and I hope to make a flower inspired quilt.
My last vacation was a quick weekend getaway to the mountains of NC always a beautiful cool green leafy respite with glorious blue skies above. Love the thread colors and would be delighted to win-thanks for the chance!
My machine just LOVES Aurifil threads. Love the colors you have put together for this collection!
My last vacation was home to see the family, and it was so great to just relax and let the grandparents look after the baby, lol!
What a great collection. I have learned a lot from Angela in her Craftsy class.
In my last vacation I had a quiet time at home and it was wonderful.
Thank you for the giveaway!
My sister and I did a road trip from Seattle to Houston in 2009 for the Intenrational Quilt Fest. Took a whole month and saw our fabulous country and fabulous quilts.
My last vacation was a camping trip and I was so inspired by the natural beauty of the outdoors.
Getting to play in the snow in June! We left Durango and headed to Ouray in Colorado. When we left it was warm. Heading back to Durango it started snowing. We have pics of green beautiful scenery on the way up and we stopped and took the same pics coming back down and it was all white. For this Texas girl it was a special treat.
Best thing about our last vacation (or any) is finding new quilt shops to visit! Beautiful threads!
Thanks for an interesting interview. Last summer we saw the most gorgeous sunsets on our vacation. I’ve uploaded an example to my flickr page, PatinWA55.
My last vacation was on a lake. I’d have to say the most inspiring part was the view!
Most inspiring vacation was to see Niagara Falls!!! Amazing & Awesome sights…and colors!! Soooooo Gorgeous!!
Most inspiring thing was spending time with my mom. What an amazing woman!
Most inspiring – I actually went on vacation for an entire week (!!) and we went to the ocean (i.e. windy, rocky, wet) in January. One morning it was bright and sunny and we were up just after sunrise and there was frost on the sand and all the grass and various plants and the sun was bright and making everything glisten. It was gorgeous. I had no idea that sand could frost over!
Our last mini vacation was to celebrate my niece graduating from Nursing and I gave her a beautiful lap quilt that I made for her! Seeing how proud she and her parents were at this momentous occasion was inspiring!!!
My last vacation was a trip to Seattle, and I loved the beauty of the Cascades and Puget Sound! Thanks for the awesome giveaway! I love your fabric and the thread colors.
Gorgeous fabric! Reminds me of beaches, gentle breezes and holidays!
My last family vacation – with 4 children, 3 DILs and 5 grandchildren (ages 5 to 1) – showed me what great dads my sons are becoming. They were fully engaged and made me proud.
My last vacation was in northern Wisconsin with its many lakes and wild flowers.
My last vacation was in the Brooks Range , the mountains, rivers and wildlife were very inspiring
I am currently ON vacation in Alaska, and the mountains here are so gorgeous!
last vacation was to Barcelona. Absolutely loved the way the city was a mix of old and new, blended together respectfully and seamlessly!
Our last vacation was last year when we when to Springfield Missouri. We visited a lot of beautiful places in the area.
Last trip I took was a 2 day meeting in Washington DC. I don’t know I would call it a vacation but I always thrill to the sight of the Washington Monument as we fly into National . Thanks.
Inspiring part of my last vacation was the history…I was at the beaches in Normandy.
I would have to say being outdoors. I love it when we go real bear bones camping!
My last vacation was a trip home to NH to visit family. The best part, other than just being with family, was when my mother in law gave me her Featherweight sewing machine. She had no idea that it was so valuable or that I really wanted one. I had no idea she had it either. That was a great vacation!
Lovely! Most inspiring thing about vacation…well, we went to Arizona, and I loved those beautiful palms.