Sunflower Bloom: My First Aurifil Artisan 2025 Challenge

Back in my last post, I shared the joy (and squeals!) of opening my Aurifil Artisan 2025/26 welcome package - and hinted at the inspiration it sparked for the first monthly challenge. This month’s brief was simple, open-ended, and bursting with potential:

"Choose anything new from your welcome package to create something of your choosing. Get creative and show us what you've got!"

Challenge accepted - and I knew exactly where to begin!

From Garden to Thread: Sunflower Inspiration

One spool practically leapt out at me during the unboxing: a rich, golden 12wt cotton thread in Orange Mustard. Its warmth instantly transported me to a summer a few years back, when we grew towering sunflowers from seed in our garden. I’d taken a close-up photo of one bloom that felt full of life - and had tucked it away in my “one day” folder.

This was that day.

I wanted to capture the intensity and movement of that sunflower using layered appliqué, free-motion stitching, and lots of texture. The 12wt thread felt like a bold leap - I typically work with 40wt or 50wt - but its thickness was exactly what I needed to create strong outlines and bring those petals to life.

A Moody Blue Background with a Painterly Feel

Alongside the thread, I also saw this as a chance to experiment with something new in my process: the background fabric.

I usually work on a neutral off-white base, but for this piece, I wanted to try something with more depth and contrast - something that would help the sunflower really stand out. I chose a selection of woven silk scraps in deep blues, navy, and subtle hints of gold and grey, paired with delicate vintage lace pieces to add even more texture and softness.

The colour palette was loosely inspired by Van Gogh’s Starry Night - not in the swirling shapes or layout, but in the rich, atmospheric blues and painterly feel. It brought a sense of depth and quiet drama to the piece, which contrasted beautifully with the vibrant sunflower.

To tie it all together, I used the Aurifil 50wt variegated thread in ‘4655 Storm at Sea’ to stitch into the background. The gentle shifts in tone added softness and movement to the layered silks and lace, and helped unify the overall composition.

Creating the Sunflower: Fabric, Layers, and Texture

The sped up process of fabric collaging with Bondaweb!

I built the sunflower head from a palette of warm yellow, gold, orange, and leafy green scraps - a mix of vintage florals, solids, and subtle prints. After fusing the shapes in place with Bondaweb, I moved to the machine.

Using free-motion embroidery, I outlined the petals and leaves in the thick 12wt Orange Mustard thread, adjusting my machine settings and using a 90/14 topstitch needle to handle the weight. The effect was striking - bold, expressive lines that added a painterly quality and tactile richness to the piece.

I layered in finer details with 50wt threads for added contrast, allowing the mix of textures to really shine against the silk and lace background.

The Finished Piece

Once finished, I mounted the sunflower on a round canvas - another first for me! The circular shape complements both the floral form and the layered background, giving the whole piece a lovely sense of movement and harmony.

Here’s a look:

The combination of the heavier 12wt thread, the soft variegated blues of Storm at Sea, and the woven silk and vintage lace background made this a truly joyful experiment - and a piece I’m really proud of.

What I Learned from This Challenge

• Don’t fear heavier threads! The 12wt stitched beautifully with the right needle and pace, and it added so much impact.

• Mixing thread weights is a great way to introduce depth - even within a single colour family.

• Changing up the background can completely transform the feel of a piece. The woven silk scraps and vintage lace brought a rich, painterly mood that I’ll definitely explore again.

Looking Ahead

This was such a fulfilling start to my year as an Aurifil Artisan - from trying new threads and materials to finishing something that feels both joyful and personal.

I can’t wait to see what next month’s challenge brings! If you have any questions about thread weights, fabric collage, or working with unusual materials like silk and lace, pop a comment below or say hi over on Instagram - I love hearing from fellow stitchers. Or head on over to my Instagram page to see more content.

@dandelionandpeacock on Instagram

Until next time - keep experimenting, Jess x