Colour in motion
Variegated thread changes colour along its length, bringing soft shifts or lively contrast to the path of your stitching.
Aurifil · Colour in every stitchLet colour travel
Let colour travel
through your stitching.
Bring changing colour to fine quilting and decorative stitches. Aurifil 50wt variegated thread combines a delicate 2-ply profile with distinctive colour blends, wound onto a generous 1300m large spool.
Made in Italy from 100% Egyptian long-staple cotton, with a smooth, mercerised finish.
Marrakesh
Leaves
Silver Moon
Three blends from the variegated range.
Each purchase supplies one spool in your selected shade.
50wt / 2-plyFine cotton thread
100% cottonEgyptian long-staple fibre
1300 metresLarge orange spool
20 shadesChanging-colour blends
A fine line. A changing palette.
Fine quilting detail
The fine 50wt profile gives you a light stitch line. Explore free-motion quilting and delicate decorative work where changing colour can be seen.
One thread, many tones
Use the shade photo as a starting point, then stitch a sample on your fabric. The result depends on stitch length, design and where you begin on the thread.
Cotton quality, made in Italy.
Aurifil’s long-staple Egyptian cotton and mercerised finish give this thread its fine profile and gentle sheen. The distinctive orange spool identifies the 50wt cotton range.
Use a blend that echoes the colours in your quilt, or introduce contrast on a simpler background. A test piece lets you see the colour changes at the scale of your actual stitching.
Explore 20 variegated Aurifil shades.
From soft tonal movement to bolder colour blends, compare the genuine spool photographs below. Select a photograph to enlarge it, then choose its four-digit code in the product’s Colour selector above.
A spool photograph is a guide to the blend, not a promise of an exact stitched sequence. Keep the four-digit shade code for your next project or reorder.
Variegated colours 20 shades
3817MarrakeshVARIEGATED · ENLARGE PHOTO
4060Silver MoonVARIEGATED · ENLARGE PHOTO
3320Light Spring GreenVARIEGATED · ENLARGE PHOTO
3840French LilacVARIEGATED · ENLARGE PHOTO
3852LibertyVARIEGATED · ENLARGE PHOTO
3920Golden GlowVARIEGATED · ENLARGE PHOTO
4647BerryliciousVARIEGATED · ENLARGE PHOTO
4648Desert DawnVARIEGATED · ENLARGE PHOTO
4650LeavesVARIEGATED · ENLARGE PHOTO
4651BariVARIEGATED · ENLARGE PHOTO
4654Turquoise FoamVARIEGATED · ENLARGE PHOTO
4656Cinnamon SugarVARIEGATED · ENLARGE PHOTO
4658Limoni di MonterossoVARIEGATED · ENLARGE PHOTO
4663Baby Blue EyesVARIEGATED · ENLARGE PHOTO
4664StonefieldsVARIEGATED · ENLARGE PHOTO
4665GraphiteVARIEGATED · ENLARGE PHOTO
4666BiscottiVARIEGATED · ENLARGE PHOTO
4667Nutty NougatVARIEGATED · ENLARGE PHOTO
4670Silver FoxVARIEGATED · ENLARGE PHOTO
4671Mocha MousseVARIEGATED · ENLARGE PHOTO
Photographs are a colour guide, not a guaranteed physical match. Screen settings, lighting and dye lots can affect appearance. Variegated shades change colour along their length; the section visible on a spool may differ. Check your selected variant for current availability.
Before you begin
A considered starting point.
- Start with an 80/12 sharp or Microtex needle, adjusted for your fabric, technique and machine.
- Aurifil 50wt can also be used in the bobbin.
- Test the stitch and tension on your project layers before sewing the finished piece.
- For longarm quilting, follow your machine’s needle-system guidance and test the setup.
Keep the finish looking its best
Gentle care for variegated colour.
Protect the changing colours with gentle care. Aurifil’s variegated care guide specifies:
- Wash at a maximum of 30°C.
- Do not bleach.
- Do not tumble dry with warm air.
- Iron at a maximum of 110°C; steam is not recommended.
Always follow the most restrictive instructions for the thread, fabric and batting. Test a stitched sample before washing a finished piece.
View Aurifil’s colour and care guideAurifil 50wt 1300m specifications
| Brand | Aurifil |
|---|---|
| Range | Cotton Mako 50wt |
| Fibre | 100% Egyptian long-staple cotton |
| Construction | 50wt, 2-ply, mercerised |
| Length | 1300 metres / approximately 1422 yards |
| Format | Large orange spool |
| Made in | Italy |
| Product reference | MK50SC6; colour identified by the four-digit shade code |
| Selection | 20 variegated shades |
| Supplied | One 1300m spool in the shade selected |
Choosing variegated thread
What does variegated mean?
The colour changes along the thread. Each shade has its own blend of tones, so a stitched line has a different character from one made with a solid colour.
Will my stitching look exactly like the spool photo?
No. A photograph shows the section of thread visible on the wound spool. The colours and their placement in your stitching depend on the starting point, stitch length, design, fabric and lighting. Test a sample before committing to a large area.
Can I use variegated thread for piecing?
The 50wt thread is suitable for piecing, but most of the colour changes will be hidden in the seam. Choose it for visible stitching when you want the variegated effect; a solid shade may be a simpler choice for consistent, unobtrusive seams.
Is this a large spool or a cone?
This is the 1300m large orange spool. Aurifil’s separate 5900m cone is a different format and is not supplied here.
Does variegated thread need different care?
Yes. Aurifil’s chart gives variegated shades more restrictive care than some solid dye groups. Follow the care guidance on this page and the most restrictive requirements of every material in the finished project.
Give your quilting a changing colour story.
Find the blend that complements your fabric, then let a stitched sample show you how it moves through your design.
Browse 20 variegated shades