Free Theme: Island Batik – June

/ quiltinggail

 

6 - Free Theme

This is the title for June’s Island Batik challenge.  We can make what we want … but of course we need to use fabulous Island Batik Fabric, Aurifil thread, Hobbs Batting and Schmetz Needles!  I didn’t use the Accuquilt Go! for this month’s project. However, the Accuquilt Go! would have been used if I wasn’t using a strip set!

In an earlier post, I teased you with the start of my project.  Doesn’t the black make those blues just POP?

fullsizeoutput_cd8

fullsizeoutput_c64The Island Batik fabric I used is a fantastic strip pack called Kismet!  Add a little Bubblegum pink (on the right), Island Batik’s Solid black and this is what I came up with:

6i+oUqltTRCi1drs8H4I6Q_thumb_3873

I started off following a video by Man Sewing with a variation of The Three Dudes Quilt.  I made the blocks as he instructs, then I went off on my own tangent, rearranging the blocks and adding sashing.   The Island Batik strip set was PERFECT for this pattern.  There are 2 each of the individual fabrics. Otherwise, you’d need to buy 2 strip sets.

The blocks were made by making strata strip sets, cutting them at 14″ and placing them right sides together … one horizontal and one vertical.  Sew around the outside and then cut the blocks diagonally.  Once the blocks were made, I didn’t care for the layout that Man Sewing did … SEW, I changed the arrangement until I was happy.

 

I forgot to take a picture before I sewed the blocks together … so the picture on the left is of the wrong sides of the blocks.

Here’s a couple of close-ups of the quilting.  I definitely think I was some-what influenced by the quilting I did with the Helen Godden Flower Power quilt-along.

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_3871

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_3874

There wasn’t enough fabric for the back, so I put in a diagonal piece.  The purple fabric is “Geometric Arrow Plum” from the Santa Fe fabric collection and the pink is “Bubblegum”

0olbwdB0RpKwkMlyqPH5oQ_thumb_3867

Here’s my process for the diagonal back …

I put the top on the design wall.  I cut the rich purple piece diagonally (no it’s not at a 45 … it’s the length of the quilt, plus about 8″ … and that piece was cut from corner to corner.  I placed it over the quilt top. Then I measured the distance between the 2 purple pieces and cut a strip of the Bubblegum fabric that width, plus 2″.  When I do diagonal backs, I don’t want the diagonal to end up in the corners … it’s too difficult to make it line up perfectly … But, I’ll say it’s to eliminate the bulk in the corners (grin!)  This method is pretty easy to do with Island Batik fabrics as it doesn’t stretch (much) on the bias.  If I was using regular quilt fabric, I’d place a thin strip of interfacing down the cut.

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_3848

Below is a picture of preparing to trim the pink once it was added to the diagonal.

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_3849

Stats:IMG_5928

  • size: 60″ x 60″
  • Thread: Aurifil #4030 for the quilting … it’s a wine coloured thread.  It blended with some of the purple, but showed up on everything else.
  • Bobbins: 8!  yes, 8 bobbins … there’s a LOT of quilting in this one!
  • Binding: 2¼” of Geometric Arrow: Plum
  • Batting Hobbs Cotton Batting
  • Schmetz Needles: Chrome Microtex 80/12

A HUGE THANK YOU to Island Batik and the Industry partners for the wonderful fabric and products!

 

 

 

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

*****************************

25 thoughts on “Free Theme: Island Batik – June”

  2. Awesome job on the quilt. The quilting is wonderful. But I am intrigued by the backing. I might need to try this…I’m trying to “stretch” a backing to make it work for a top. This might be the solution.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks, Anja!
      I have seen other diagonally pieced backs, but the formulas always left my head spinning and had super silly amounts … but this way works fine for me!
      Let me know how it works out!
      Happy Quilting! 🙂

      Like

    • Thanks, Dione! I tried to do the diagonal back from another tutorial and I ended up with WAY too big of a piece – so this method works for me.
      Happy Quilting! 🙂

      Like

  4. Pingback: Winnie The Pooh Quilt ALong – Day 2 | Quilting Gail

  6. Hi Gail! What a fabulous IB quilt for June. I saw those diagonal pieces you were cutting and wondered how they fit into this project. What a great idea and it sure looks fun on the back. AND look at all that fabulous quilting! It really shows much better on the backing. Great job. ~smile~ Roseanne

    Liked by 1 person

  7. WOW! So pretty! It really does look like stained glass. I don’t remember the layout of the original (and I admit to not clicking the link again to check) but I really like yours, and the black is just the perfect accent to those luscious colors. Your quilting is stunning–8 bobbins!!! Holy Cow!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks, Emily!
      I hadn’t considered it looking like stained glass – but the solid black certainly highlights the colours! Island Batik has such awesome fabric and colours! (and I already know that you agree with me! 🙂
      Happy Quilting! 🙂

      Like

Comments are closed.