Happy Holidays from Aurifil! We’re simply delighted that you’ve chosen to join us on this festive journey. We hope that each day brings a new bit of holiday joy and perhaps even a few thread weights and hues that spark some extra creativity.
Below, you’ll find three distinct sections: Projects, Education, & Recipes. We hope that you enjoy!
PROJECTS
We’ve compiled 11 different projects ranging from hand embroidery & cross stitch to needle turn appliqué & FPP to machine embroidery inspiration and more! These projects are mostly bite-sized and perfect for holiday crafting to gift, to decorate, or to simply revel in the quiet moments found within the process of making.
Santa Stitchery
Celebrate the season with this bit of vintage, bit of modern Santa embroidery illustration! Perfect for a variety of techniques, this design can be stitched by hand in classic Redwork using the luscious Aurifil Cotton 8wt in Red, embroidered by hand or machine, or enhanced with your favorite creative medium like pencil or watercolor, for a unique artistic touch.
For those who love vibrant detail, create a fully filled and colorized version using an array of festive hues. This versatile design is ideal for tea towels, framed holiday décor, quilt blocks, and more, making it a delightful addition to any home’s seasonal charm.
Be Kind Embroidery
This heartfelt stitching project is a timeless reminder of the power of kindness, inspired by talented Aurifil designer Susan Ache. Its elegant simplicity makes it perfect for stitching by hand but can also be adopted for machine work. It’s versatile enough to suit a variety of embroidery styles— try it in classic redwork for a traditional look or use vibrant, full-color embroidery to bring the design to life.
Whether displayed as a framed piece, incorporated into a quilt, or gifted to someone special, this project is a meaningful way to spread positivity and joy, especially during the holiday season. Stitch it today and create something truly inspiring!
Holly & Berry
This charming holly and berry appliqué design is a must-have for holiday crafting! With its versatile size and minimal fabric needs, it’s perfect for a variety of skill levels. Whether you prefer the delicate artistry of needle-turn or the quick, modern style of raw-edge appliqué, this design is adaptable to your favorite technique. Use it to create festive mug rugs, coasters, or holiday cards, or incorporate it into larger project like a mini quilt or table runner. For hand or machine appliqué, Aurifil Cotton 80wt works to hide your stitches. Need something a little more bold and decorative, choose Aurifil 8wt, 12wt, or 28wt.
Make your holidays more creative and personal with this timeless holly and berry design— simple, elegant, and endlessly versatile!
Holiday Cross Stitch Minis
Add festive charm to your holidays with Susan Ache’s mini cross-stitch designs for Aurifil. Featuring reindeer, garlands, holly, snowflakes, and more, these petite patterns are perfect for decorations or heartfelt gifts.
Versatile and quick-to-stitch, they can be framed in hoops, made into ornaments or gift tags, or added to cards, stockings, or table settings.
Perfect for all skill levels, the charts are available in color-and-symbol or black-and-white layouts. Download your favorite style and start stitching holiday magic today!
Le Alpi Stitchery
Capture the enchanting beauty of the Italian Alps with our Le Alpi Illustration— a design that holds special meaning as a tribute to our roots in Italy. Whether you bring it to life through embroidery, coloring, painting, or another creative medium, this versatile illustration offers endless possibilities for artistic expression.
Let Le Alpi inspire your creativity this holiday season and beyond, bringing a touch of Italy’s winter beauty to your home and heart.
Cookie Cutter Ornament
Transform your fabric scraps and upcycled materials into charming keepsakes with this upcycling ornament pattern! Use cookie cutters as templates to outline festive shapes— like our sample made with a classic tree cutter— on fabric, old jeans, or repurposed textiles. Stitch by machine with Aurifil 50wt thread for a flawless finish, or add a personal touch with hand stitching.
Perfect for heartfelt gifts or festive décor, these ornaments offer a fun, creative way to celebrate the season while giving new life to cherished materials. Start your holiday upcycling today!
Snowflake Ornament
Add frosty elegance to your holiday crafting with these charming snowflake ornaments! Featuring two unique designs, they can be made on square or round backgrounds, each approximately 4″.
Perfect for machine or hand stitching, this versatile pattern lets you create with fabric, wool, or felt to suit your style. Use them as ornaments, gift toppers, or winter décor.
We stitched one snowflake by machine with Aurifil Cotton 40wt and another by hand with Aurifil Cotton 8wt, showcasing the variety in LeAlpi threads. Celebrate the season’s beauty with these magical creations— start stitching today!
Warm Wishes Ornament
X-mas Tree FPP Block
This foundation paper pieced tree block, available in two petite sizes (4″ x 4″ or 6″ x 6″), is brimming with creative possibilities! Perfect for a mug rug or coaster, potholder or trivet, gift tag, or a darling holiday card, it’s a versatile addition to your quilting repertoire.
This design is a fabulous stash buster— making it an eco-friendly and satisfying way to use up scraps. Whether you prefer hand or machine stitching, foundation paper pieced projects like this tree block shine when sewn with Aurifil Cotton 50wt thread, known for its exceptional strength and smooth finish.
X-mas Star Block
Discover the endless possibilities of a charming 6” x 6” pieced star quilt block! Perfect for using up fabric scraps, this small yet versatile size is ideal for quick, creative projects that make great gifts or decorations. Whether you’re a beginner quilter or an experienced artisan, this block is a delightful way to showcase your skills without committing to a large-scale project. By hand or machine, this project is the perfect use for Aurifil Cotton 50wt thread.
X-mas Star & Tree Bonus
What do you get when you combine five perfectly pieced Christmas stars with four charmingly FPP’d holiday trees? Your new favorite festive quilt mini, of course! Whether you stitch it by hand or machine, this delightful project is the ideal showcase for Aurifil Cotton 50wt thread, ensuring flawless results with every stitch.
EDUCATION
Join Aurifil’s Master Educator Karen L. Miller for a tour of Aurifil’s cotton thread weights. Each video will share key details on a featured thread weight with the goal of arming you with all the information to expand your thread palette and help cultivate your creative journey.
Introduction to Aurifil Thread
Aurifil 100% Cotton 8wt
Aurifil 100% Cotton 12wt
Aurifil 100% Cotton 28wt
Aurifil 100% Cotton 40wt
Aurifil 100% Cotton 50wt
Aurifil 100% Cotton 80wt
Aurifil 100% Cotton Floss
RECIPES
Aurifil’s roots are in Italy and we couldn’t resist the opportunity to share some of our favorite holiday drinks & dishes. We can’t wait to hear which ones are your favorites!!
Apple Spritz
The Apple Spritz has an intriguing story rooted in the Alpine regions, particularly in areas like South Tyrol in northern Italy, where apples are a prominent agricultural product. The drink reflects the region’s strong connection to its natural produce, offering a refreshing twist with locally sourced apples.
Bombardino
The Bombardino has its origins in the Italian Alps, where skiers and locals alike needed a warming drink after a long day on the slopes. Legend has it that the Bombardino was created in the 1970s at an Italian ski resort in Lombardy. The story goes that a young man from Genoa, who had recently taken over a bar in the mountains, experimented with mixing egg-based liqueur and brandy. When a customer tried it, they exclaimed, “Accidenti! È una bomba!” (meaning, ‘Wow! It’s a bomb!’), because of its strength and warming effect. Thus, the name ‘Bombardino’— ‘little bomb’— was born.
Sciatt
Sciatt are a traditional dish from the Valtellina region in the Italian Alps, particularly popular in the winter months. The name “sciatt” comes from the Lombard word for “frog,” possibly due to the fritters’ shape. These crispy, cheese-filled fritters are typically made with buckwheat flour, which is a staple in the Alpine diet due to its ability to thrive in the region’s harsh climate.
Torta di Noci
The story of walnut cake in the Alps is closely tied to the region’s culinary traditions, resourcefulness, and local ingredients. While walnuts aren’t native to the highest alpine regions, they thrive in the lower foothills and valleys where the climate is suitable, and are featured in a variety of dishes, both savory and sweet. The walnut cake itself is often made with simple ingredients like walnuts, eggs, sugar, and sometimes honey or spices like cinnamon. It’s a perfect example of rustic, homey baking, with variations often depending on the region or family tradition.
Panettone
Panettone is a traditional Italian Christmas cake known for its rich, fluffy texture and sweet, citrusy flavor. It originated in Milan, Italy, and has become a beloved holiday treat throughout Italy and beyond. The cake is typically dome-shaped, tall, and has a light, airy crumb.
Click on the PDF to learn more and visit your local Italian bakery to grab your own Christmas Panettone!
