For this challenge, we were encouraged to use an edge-painting technique that was used for a quilt called Full Bloom. A great youtube tutorial was the inspiration. (Click HERE). The basic premise is to appliqué the pieces using the edge painting technique.

This is the fantastic fabric I received, along with 5 spools of 40 weight Aurifil thread. The collection is called Poetic Bouquet, designed by Kathy Engle for Heidi Pridemore of The Whimsical Workshop.

I decided to use the Garden Party quilt pattern by Laura Heine. You can get the pattern HERE. I wanted a pattern that had some fairly large pieces and this fit pattern with flowers and butterflies fit my purpose!

I traced out the pattern onto six 22″ background squares of Frosting – an Island Batik neutral that is available year round. The individual pattern pieces were cut out using 19 of the 20 fabrics in the collection. (The 20th fabric was used for the binding.). The design board was handy for pinning each of the fabrics on the main squares. I was able to ensure that the purple petals and the light petals were in different positions.

Then I started to glue each piece into place, using Acorn Seam Align glue. (You can get the glue HERE). I had this glue in a “Precision Piecing” kit that has been sitting in a drawer for a LONG time. I had never used the kit because I don’t see the point in gluing each and every seam that I sew. ANYHOW, I decided to try it for gluing the pieces onto the background. It worked like a charm!!!! Especially with the Oliso Iron, to press it into place.

When the 6 squares had the individual pieces ironed on them, it was time to audition the layout. The first was an attempt at alternating the butterflies. The 2nd had all the squares in the same orientation and the 3rd had the 3/4 flowers. The 3rd layout won!

I decided that I would appliqué each square on it’s own. Since it would be easier to manipulate a 22″ square than a whole quilt. I chose to use Hobbs Batting Heirloom Cotton with scrim as I knew that it would appliqué nicely on my machine and not get caught up in the feed dogs. (Yes, it required frequent cleaning, but it worked). I was able to cut several layers of the batting easily with the Missouri Star Amelia Scissors as the rotary cutter would not cut through the layers. A test sample was made to make sure I was on the right path.

I was using the 40 weight Aurifil Thread I had received in my July box and quickly realized that I shouldn’t (or didn’t need to) use the 40 weight in the bobbin or I would run out of thread for the top. I used a lot of various Aurifil Thread 50 weight bobbins in colours close to what I was using on the top. Here is what the stitches looked like on the back of the batting. I used a few different Appliqué stitches on my Janome M7 to thread paint the sides of the pieces. #18 was used the most, #17 was used occasionally and a simple zig zag was used once in a while (on the stems and leaf centres).

Here are some close-ups of the stitching from the front.

Once each of the squares was appliquéd, they were sashed together with Island Batik‘s solid grey and a backing applied. The background was free-motion quilted around each of the appliqué pieces. The sashing and borders were quilted using the same appliqué stitch that was used for the edge stitching.

Quilt Stats:

• Size: 48″ x 70″
• Fabric: Island Batik: Poetic Bouquet, Solid Black (butterfly centres), Amber (flower centres, from Opulent Orange), Frosting (Background) and Solid Grey (sashing and borders).
• Hobbs Batting Heirloom with scrim binder: 80/20
• Aurifil Thread: 40 weight
  • 2745: Midnight
  • 2545: Medium Purple
  • 5005: Bright Turquoise
  • 1128: Light Blue Violet
  • 2515: Light Orchid
  • 4661: Mint Julep (Variegated)
• Aurifil Thread: 50 weight
  • 2140: Orange Mustard 
  • 2600: Dove Grey
  • 2692: Black
• Quilting: Aurifil Thread 50 weight: #2600, Dove Grey (a cone that I received from Missouri Star Quilt Co.)
• Schmetz Needles: Microtex 70/10 and Microtex 80/12

Make sure you visit Megan Best‘s blog! She has the same collection as me!!! And, I also heard that she used some of the same appliqué stitches as me!! I can’t wait to see her quilt!!

Where can you find Poetic Bouquet?

There are several stores throughout the USA that sell Poetic Bouquet, here are a few:

• Creekside Quilts: Oregon
• Missouri Star Quilt Company
• Mill End Store: Oregon

Thank you

The following, Island Batik and Industry partners, made this project possible. They supplied the products for free as my role as an Island Batik Ambassador! Island Batik, Aurifil Thread, Hobbs Batting, Schmetz Needles, Oliso Iron.

Adventurous Appliqué Blog Hop

Week 1: Visit Island Batik’s blog for a recap of Week 1: HERE.

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Week 2:

September 9:

Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs.

Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion

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September 10:

Gail Sheppard: Quilting Gail you are here!

Megan Best ~ BestQuilter

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September 11:

Kim Jamieson-Hirst ~ Chatterbox Quilts

Jane Hauprich ~ Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting.

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September 12:

Carol Stanek ~ Stitch with Color

Julia Schweri ~ Inflorescence Designs.

Victoria Johnson ~ Forever Quilting for You.

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September 13:

Visit Island Batik Blog for an opportunity to win some awesome fabric and see a recap of this week’s blog hop quilts!

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Week 3:

September 16:

Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt.

Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations.

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September 17:

Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts.

Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood.

Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights.

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September 18:

Sandra Starley ~ Textile Time Travels.

Susan Deshensky ~ Lady Blue Quilts Studio

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September 19:

Pamela Boatright ~ PamelaQuilts

Renee Atkinson ~ Pink Tulip Quilting

Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine.

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September 20:

Visit Island Batik Blog for an opportunity to win some awesome fabric and see a recap of this week’s blog hop quilts!

Don’t Forget

Here is my Affiliate link: https://glnk.io/mzmmj/quiltinggail 

PLEASE NOTE: Missouri Star is having a ton of promotions in September to celebrate their birthday! You will NOT receive 20% off these. Although, I may still receive a small commission!

Thank you for your support!

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:  

• Midweek Makers @  QuiltFabrication
• Wednesday Wait Loss @  Inquiring Quilter
• Happy Needle  and Thread @  My Quilt Infatuation
• Andrée / Free Motion Mavericks @ Quilting & Learning – What a combo!
• Put your Foot Down @ A Quiltery
• Finished or Not Friday  @ Alycia Quilts
• Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty
• Off the Wall Friday @ Creations – Quilts, Art, Whatever 
• TGIFF @ Anja Quilts