And now to Part C of my posts on Kokomo (Stars Upon Stars)
C. Assembly
And now to Part C of my posts on Kokomo (Stars Upon Stars)
C. Assembly
Island Batik's September Challenge and Blog Hop theme is Adventurous Applique and is jointly sponsored by Aurifil Threads.
Here is my response.
Finished! |
For this challenge we were to use our assigned Spring 2024 Bundles along with the matching threads provided by Aurifil.
I received Geometric Symphony designed by Jerry Khiev. This collection has beige, fuchsia and navy fabrics in bold geometric prints.
Geometric Symphony |
Aurifil Threads |
We knew about the theme of the challenge for months and I had come up with several possible ideas. But when I saw the fabric, I had to discard each one of ...
read moreThis is Part B of a series of posts explaining how I make my version of Stars Upon Stars.
1. External stars in the blocks.
A key design feature of the original Stars Upon Stars quilt is that each block is unique. I decided replicate that idea by using different fabrics and colours for the external stars of each block. I opted for tone on tone fabrics in most cases, and tried to use every colour within my limited colour range - blue, aqua, green, pink, orange and yellow. If I repeated a colour I used a ...
read moreThank you for all the lovely comments on my Kokomo quilt. As promised I'm going to explain more about how I made it - both for anyone thinking about making one themselves, and for my personal record, because after all, that's what blogs are for.
Where do I even begin to describe my happiness with how this quilt has turned out?
I'm thrilled with it and I'm not going to let it out of my sight. I've even considered sewing an Apple AirTag into it so if it goes missing I can track it down! I've spent so many hours making this quilt but I've enjoyed them all.
I started this quilt back in January 2020. I've spent four years working on it in the background. I haven't once put it on social media or even shown my ...
read moreIn the land of Island Batik, March is Ambassador's Choice Month. Mine is Lula May.
EQ8 Design |
Lula May |
Designed in EQ8, and made with Island Batik's Celebrate Collection, Lula May finished at 62" by 82".
Love this collection!!! |
I wanted to step away from square blocks. I designed a rectangular block measuring 12" by 16". The triangle in a square made the basis for the elongated star. The strip pieced alternate block combines the colors used in the stars, using the leftovers and tying the pattern together.
Design Wall |
Alternate Blocks |
I used Aurifil Thread to piece ...
read moreDashing Doors is my response to the Island Batik's Log Cabin Challenge and Blog Hop that begins today. My pun on Door Dash got a huge eye roll from Paul :-)
I received a half-yard bundle of Breezy Collection. Purples, Greens, Coral and Pink make this a lovely collection.
Light to Dark! |
We’ve stitched up a surprise for you all here at Fat Quarter Shop. We’re doing some redecorating and we have some spools that are looking to go out into the Threadiverse and find some new homes! Find out all the details of The Great Thread Giveaway in today’s blog post.
Fat Quarter Shop is excited to give 60 lucky winners some of our favorite 50wt Aurifil threads from the thread wall in our studio! You may have seen it in the background of videos on Fat Quarter Shop’s Youtube Channel!
Aurifil 50wt thread is the most ...
read moreIt may be Thanksgiving where you live, but I've just finished my Halloween quilt! I've called it "Spooky Darlings" after the fabric range that I used.
Meet Radiance. She is my response to the October challenge.
Radiance! |
Let's start from the beginning.
October's Challenge is sponsored by Accuquilt. In our Island Batik Ambassador Box, we received the Accuquilt Block on Board Die - North Carolina Star.
Star of North Carolina is a traditional block made with paper-piecing AND partial seams - two of my absolute nemeses ganged up against me!!!
Fortunately, Accuquilt has simplified the block such that there are no partial seams. However, in doing so the number of fabric pieces ...
read moreThis week I started hand quilting my Licorice Allsorts quilt.
The guild I belong to, Capital Quilters in Wellington, New Zealand will be holding an exhibition in May 2024 and I ...
The September Island Batik Challenge and Blog Hop is called Pieced to Perfection. We were required to make a paper-pieced project at least lap sized, using as many different fabrics as possible from our assigned collection.
I received Chromatic. It is an original collection designed by Deb Tucker of Studio 180 Designs.
Chromatic Fabrics |
Bromeliad Garden |
I chose "The Palm" block from EQ8 Block Library (under Old favorites).
The on-point layout uses 24 blocks. I used 21 (out of the 22) fabrics from the Chromatic collection. I used three fabrics ...
read moreI'm on my way back to New Zealand today but here's one more blog post prepared in advance. this is my Shuttles quilt that I made to showcase some of my beautiful Kaffe Fassett fabrics. You can read all about it here.
It is hot and humid. Fortunately I am well-prepared to stay (and entertain myself) indoors. That is where Island Batik's second shipment of goodies is supremely helpful :-D
Here is the "Set" of Unboxing Video showing Nihal on the left and Wednesday on the right.
Unboxing Video - Set up |
It is good to be an ambassador! Here is the link to the Unboxing video. There is an oops in there and I left it as such. We are only human!
I start with the generous box of batting provided by Hobbs.
Thermore Batting - Light and Very Thin |
Premium Wool ... |
The Island Batik challenge for April is Crazy Quilts with Aurifil Threads.
The Zippered Pouches - in progress |
I received the Frangipani Color Builder from Aurifil Threads.
To ensure that these threads/embroidery/stitches showed well on the fabric, I decided to use Island Batik solids. Since I also wanted to make a modern interpretation of Crazy Quilts, the solids were a perfect choice ...
It has come to my quilty attention
that I have never made a bed size red, white and blue quilt.
How is this possible?
I love these colors.
Some of these fabrics I pulled for a quilt a ew years back that never was sewn.
I am going to be adding and subtracting but this is a good start for the upcoming
Susan Ache is not new to quilt-alongs.
Stitching Kindness SAL by Susan Ache @ Moda, 2022
I love the beautiful quilty goodness of
read moreIf I could be doing anything quilty, it would be improv piecing. It is like taking a journey. "Come hither ye fabric scraps; together we will travel and see where we end up."
Here is the Island Batik Challenge for March. It reads
"March brings a free month for you to determine your own project of any size, using any theme and any technique!! This is an opportunity for you to express your creativity without guidelines. Have fun!"
And I did have fun. See how the bits and pieces grew.
Starting Point |
Growing |
Coming Together ... |
Wish you a very happy 2023!
I have news. Island Batik has selected a new slate of ambassadors for 2023. And I am honored to have made the cut.
Here is a link to the Unboxing video.
Testing the set-up - Looking good! |