What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

The October Challenge requires the Island Batik Ambassadors to make a bag using Patterns by Annie. We get to choose the bag and the fabrics.

I chose fabrics from the Garden Glory collection and the Leader of the Pack pattern. Here is my completed bag.

Happy Me!

I am in love with this gorgeous fabric collection by Claudia Pfeil. These rich and warm hues sing to me the most melodious Autumn Symphony.

My chosen fabrics

I chose the bright orange as the main fabric, maroon as coordinating fabric and green as ...

Meet Nirali!

Nirali

Here is the story or TWO WEEKS AGO (imagine you are watching a thriller on Netflix).

Co-sponsored by Aurifil Threads, Island Batik's September Challenge is named Threaded Chaos, requiring us to make a crib-size (or larger) Crazy Quilt, using our assigned Spring 2025 Collection and Aurifil Threads.

When I made a Crazy Quilt the last time, we were not assigned a fabric collection. I chose solids so that the decorative stitching was better visible.  This time, the fabric and threads were not up to us.

I received the Everlasting Collection, designed by Jerry Khiev.

Everlasting Collection ...

Picture this - a completely solar-powered, aerodynamically designed, sleek automobile of the future. Its exterior is so dark and shiny that the passing landscape is reflected perfectly on its surface.

Cool Trees, Scorching Planet

In January, we received a mini Oliso Iron, complete with a matching Solemate (a base for placing the hot iron) and a thick wool carry case. Island Batik's August Challenge is to decorate the carry case for our Oliso Mini Irons.

This was an unusual project. The thick wool carry case would certainly break a needle or two, if I tried sewing on it. The idea ...

Rosemary came home on May 1. She is a short-haired almost all-black Bombay cat. 

Rosemary

She is affectionate and agile. Loves to play, and often zooms around the house. Surprisingly, she is not interested in our food. She neither begs nor does she sniff our plates. 

It has been a while since we had a third family member. After Jonesie passed away and Louie displayed misdirected aggression (and returned to the shelter), we had been a pet-free home for a few years.

When we spotted a mouse in the house on Easter, and the mousetraps did not work, it was ...

July is the time when the Island Batik Ambassadors celebrate Christmas! We have just received our second shipment of supplies and they did not disappoint. 

Here is the Unboxing Video. 

It is all about the supplies. I am losing my looks and the fabric gets prettier every year :-D

The Bounty

In September, we will be making a Crazy Quilt. I will be using the Everlasting Collection designed by Jerry Khiev. This collection will be in stores in September 2025.

Everlasting Collection

Dark & Light Yardage to Match

Island Batik's June Challenge is co-sponsored by Funky Friends Factory. 

I chose Dizzy Dolphin.

Bubbles!

Let's start from the beginning.

I downloaded and printed the pattern. I chose a light and a dark fabric from an older Island Batik collection, called Exuberance. I had used this collection to make Trevor (the quilt with dimples).

2nd fabric in 1st column, 8th fabric in the 2nd column

The dots gave the impression of playful bubbles.

Pattern and Fabrics

The step by step directions were clear and the pattern was easy to make. I used Schmetz 80/12 Microtex needle for ...

Welcome to my stop on the Island Batik + Accuquilt Irish Chain BlogHop. 

Directive - Create a stunning quilt using the GO! Irish Chain Die from AccuQuilt!

Here is my response!

A Stunning Finish, as requested!

But let's start at the beginning. 

The Challenge

Fusion  by Jerry Khiev for Swan Amity Studios

Inspiration Board

Accuquilt Die to make 10" Finished Irish Chain Block

Dull

Meh

Whatever

I have always used the Irish Chain as an alternate block, not the focus block. Naturally, I was ...

Island Batik's April Challenge requires us to make a lap-sized (or larger) quilt using the timeless Drunkard's Path Quilt Block, making sure that the technique used is curved piecing and not applique.

Naturally, many ideas were considered and discarded. I am saving them to a very long list of possible future quilts.

In the end, I chose the quilt block - Moon Over the Mountain. I have been fascinated by this quilt block for a long time. I looked for tutorials and found few but none of them appealed to me.

It was time to design it myself.

Thank ...

March is Ambassador's Choice. 

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!

Here is my response.

Dreaming of Daylilies

Designed in EQ8, and made with Poetic Bouquet collection, it is a combination of Irish Chain blocks and appliqued Daisy blocks.

This is a lovely collection with beautiful gradations in purples and aquas.  I wanted to show off these value gradations in the design.

EQ8 Mock-up

Value Gradations

The petals are lightest in ...

March’s Island Batik Ambassador Challenge is called "It’s All Up to You," meaning the Ambassadors have a month to create any project of any size, theme, and technique using Island Batik fabrics. This gives us a chance to have a little fun this month.

I am excited to share a ...

Island Batik's February Challenge and BlogHop requires the ambassadors to use their assigned Fall 2024 collection (I got Radiant Burst) and the Studio 180 Design Tool (I got Wing Clipper) to make a Table Runner or a Bed Runner.

Sounds simple? Yes. But wait there is more.

1. We must make at least 12 units.

2. Use as many fabrics (from the 20 in the collection) as possible.

NOW, we have a challenge :-)

Well, here is my response.

Glowing Front

And I used leftover blocks from Mirabelle to make the backing, so it is two-sided. 

Moody Back

Double-Sided Runner ...

The Island Batik February Challenge and Blog Hop is co-sponsored by Studio 180 Design who provided tools to all the ambassadors to make the table/bed runner. 

So many droolworthy fabric collections and fabulous projects for inspiration! Here is the complete line-up.

WEEK 1

February 4:

• Kim Jamieson-Hirst, Chatterbox Quilts
• Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood

February 5:

• Brittany Fisher, Bobbin with Brittany

February 6:

• Mania Hatzioannidi, Mania for Quilts
• Carol Stanek, Stitch With Color

November 7:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 1 and Giveaway

WEEK 2

February 10:

• Connie Kresin Campbell, Freemotion by the River
• Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights

February 11 ...

 I am honored and thrilled to return as an Island Batik Ambassador for the year 2025.

We received a generous shipment of fabric from Island Batik and other supplies from industry partners. 

A Very Generous Haul

Here is my Unboxing Video.

The fabrics and products are shown/described below.

Four queen sized batts from Hobbs Batting,  including 100%Wool from Tuscany, Heirloom 80/20 in Natural, Heirloom 80/20 in Black, and 100% Cotton with Scrim Binder.  

Hobbs also sent a bag of stuffing that will be used to make the soft toy from Funky Friends Factory in June.

Thank ...

A new year calls for a new pattern!

Garden City

Backing is Aruba (Tantalizing Teals)

Hi Handsome!

Walking Foot Quilting

Hobbs Batting, a long-time sponsor of Island Batik, provided us with various types of batting to assist with the finishing process of each project.

As an Island Batik Ambassador, one of the perks is receiving two boxes each year from Island Batik and ...

Do you remember Lula May?

The scraps leftover from Lula May became Signal Sam.

Signal Sam

Signal Sam is my response to the December Challenge which states "December brings another month to embark on your own project, regardless of its size, theme, or technique! Seize this chance to unleash your creativity without constraints. Enjoy the process!"

Leftover Strip from Lula May

There is something very satisfying about taking the scraps from a completed quilt and making a brand new one. I definitely enjoyed the process.

Bold and Beautiful

Signal Sam uses the Island Batik collection Celebrate, designed by Kathy Engle ...

Recently a former co-worker-turned-friend called me and asked the standard opening question - How are you? Unable to hide my sadness, because I had received yet another rejection email, I replied - I've been better.

I've been better

In a year so dark, it is easy to pinpoint the two bright spots:

1. Our long-awaited trip to Hawaii ...

Island Batik November Challenge requires us to make a Dresden Quilt using our assigned Summer 2024 collection.

Here is my response. I have named it "Like It Or Not" (LION). LION finished at 45" by 46".

Vintage Fans, 45" by 46"

I received Peach Blossom,  an original collection by Claudia Pfeil. 

Fabrics

There are so many options for Dresden Plate designs. I could use a skinny Dresden Ruler (12 degrees) to make 30 blades per circle or a double Dresden (36 degrees) to make 10 wide blades per circle. I chose the 18 degree ruler. 

I wanted to make a ...