I thought I needed a small gift … so I made this zipper pouch. No pattern, but I loved the fabric and felt that the zipper was a perfect match. The fabric was from my Island Batik stash and it was from an older collection. I quilted some feathers on the front and back, but you can’t really see them very well.
Thanks, Irene, for taking pictures!! My husband says it’s a typical picture – I’ve got my eyes closed! LOL
Don’t Forget:
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.
Here’s what Island Batik had to say about our March project:
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!
Almost the minute I saw this 10″ stack, I knew EXACTLY what I wanted to make!
It’s called, “Earthly Stories” by Jean Wells of The Stitchin’ Post and was paired with 2 yards of Weave-Brownie (Blenders) and 2 yards of Cornsilk (Neutral) [Both are available year round]. Pre-cuts and yardage of Earthly Stories is available in stores now. Here’s a picture of all of the fabrics in Earthly Stories:
I wanted to make a “Bear Paw” block (with a difference) … I’d use the Cornsilk for the background and sashing. The Weave-Brownie would be used for some of the cornerstones and the binding. Unfortunately, I did not put my ideas in EQ and my plan turned out different than I thought. However, I do like the end result!!
First, I cut 6 1/2” squares from 24 of the darkest 10″ squares. From the remnants of the squares I cut, I used the Accuquilt, Qube 8″, die #5, to make 2 1/2” unfinished half-square triangles (HST), pairing them with the Cornsilk fabric. Then 3 HST were sewn together and added to one side of the 6 1/2” squares. 3 more HST were sewn, along with a cornerstone and added to the adjoining side. Throughout the process, I used my Oliso M3 ProLight Iron. (I LOVE ❤️ this little iron!!!)
Once I had the 24 blocks done, I arranged them on my design wall. If you look closely, you will be able to se that some of the blocks were not square and needed to be trimmed by about 1/4” on the 2 sides without the HSTs. I wanted to add some “Brownie” cornerstones, but only in select areas.
While I was working on the sashing, I had this niggling feeling that I might not have enough of the Cornsilk fabric for the cornerstones… groan …
And yes, the niggling feeling was correct! What to do? Make the quilt smaller? I didn’t like that idea … use the left-over 10″ squares as cornerstones? I neglected to take a picture, but it looked way too busy! I auditioned the Weave-Brownie and immediately thought, “YES!!!” So, that’s what I used!!
The quilting: I used Silly Moon‘s Rocket to outline the bear claws (stitch in the ditch) and Beanie 2/6 to make the flowers in the brown cornerstones and the main squares in the bear claw.
And yes, there is a flange binding:
Here’s a picture of the finished quilt:
Quilt Stats:
Size: 60″ square
Fabric: Island Batik: “Earthly Stories” by Jean Wells of The Stitchin’ Post and with Weave-Brownie (Blenders) and Cornsilk (Neutral)
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.
So Scrappy provides a different colour each month for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. January’s colour was “Pink.” I pulled out all my Island Batik scraps and started to play. I started out with rectangles that were 2 1/4” x 4 1/2“. I know it’s a super weird size, but my binding is cut at 2 1/4” and I started out with cutting binding scraps. I added a 1″ of solid white between the 2 rectangles.
I wasn’t sure if I would have enough blocks for a totally pink quilt and thought I’d add another colour into the mix. It turned out that I had enough to make this baby quilt.
I don’t know what I was thinking when I made the sashing 1″ wide and the cornerstones were 1″ squares that finished at 1/2” square. The quilt would have been bigger and easier to assemble if I had made the sashing 2″ wide and the cornerstones 2″ square. However, I did get it assembled, quilted and bound. The simple quilting was straight line with a walking foot on my domestic sewing machine. The label is already on it – ready for donation at the next guild meeting.
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.
In September, when I was at a retreat at Loon Lake, I was given a little mini charm pack. I immediately arranged them and sewed them together as leaders and enders. It didn’t take long and I soon had a rectangle of cute little squares.
They have been sitting on my sewing table since the retreat. I’ve moved them a few times, more than a few times! A few months ago, I got out the fabric that would be the lining for a future little bag. Another day, I choose the zipper that I would use. These 3 components got moved a LOT, but always to a different spot on my sewing table.
Finally, I got sick and tired of moving them around! I found some scraps of Hobbs 80/20 batting and spent about an hour making this little bag!! YAY – it’s finally done!!!!!
And the opposite side, with a peak of the lining:
And, it is no longer on my sewing table!!!
Favourite Finish of the Month
Each month, Yvonne, @ Quilting Jetgirl, hosts a Linky party where people link a picture of their Favourite Finish of the Month. It’s well worth going to have a look!!! There is a ton of talent showcased and lots of eye candy.
This month, can you believe it? I only have one favourite finish!!! Usually I have several and can’t decide. You can read more about this quilt on THIS POST.
Don’t Forget:
I am 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.
As an Island Batik Ambassador, I receive a lot of thread from Aurifil Thread, plus, I have purchase lot of it from Carola when she vends at quilt shows. And recently, the small fabric store (Essem) that I occasionally teach and work at is also selling Aurifil thread. Yup, I do LOVE it!
Karen Neary is a Canadian Aurifil seller. She is prompt and thorough with her products. It’s well worth visiting THIS POST to see some beautiful creations using Aurifil Thread. I was able to purchase some Monofiliment (invisible) thread from her! Karen recently posted this picture on Facebook to illustrate the various thread weights.
From Left to Right, the weights are. 12. 28. 40. 50. 80. I use 50 weight for piecing and either 50 or 40 weight for quilting.
She also sent me this … which explains what the bottom (print side) or label on the Aurifil Thread spool is all about:
A Finish!
January’s colour for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge is Pink (see So Scrappy). I started 2 projects using my Island Batik Scraps … and this one is finished.
This quilt was made with the Accuquilt die “Glorified 9 Patch.” Of course, using the die makes sewing curves so very easy!!!
I used Aurifil Thread for piecing and quilting.
Quilt Stats:
Size: 35″ x 35″
Fabric: Scraps of pink Island Batik and Island Batik Solid White
I’m hoping to teach this quilt at Essem in March. Class participants will use the Accuquilt Die to cut PERFECT pieces and learn how to piece curves together easily. Contact Essem Textiles if you are interested in the class.
Don’t Forget:
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.
I wasn’t going to … I really wasn’t going to be doing any last minute sewing/quilting. Nope … I was all organized and didn’t need to … until ….
I went to set up my nativity scene. It’s beautiful ceramic figures that a fellow nursing classmate made. When she passed away during Covid, I gratefully accepted the set! What memories accompany the figures. I know that she completed them in the mid 70’s when taking a year away from nursing school. I had placed them on a piece of gorgeous dark blue fabric (Ravine), fully intending to make it into a table mat … but of course I forgot until I went to set up the set!
I figured that I had time, so I pulled out backing, Hobbs fusible batting and did a very quick meander with Aurifil #2600 (Dove Grey). Binding it with the same fabric and called it ‘done.’
I love how the lights and the fabric really show off the figures!
Don’t Forget:
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.
A few months ago, I was asked to use some left-over fabric from a quilt I made for an Island Batik catalogue quilt and send the mini to Hobbs batting. They have hung it in their booth at the Houston Quilt Market! It’s probably the only time I’ll have a quilt at the show (ha! ha!)
The collection for this mini is Petal Poetry, a signature collection for Megan Best of Best Quilter. This collection is so very pretty!
I ‘borrowed’ the following pictures from Hobbs Batting as I can’t seem to find one that I took. I find that highly unusual since I ALWAYS take pictures of my finished projects … but I’ve looked several times and can’t find it!
Yvonne, @ Quilting Jetgirl, has a link party with the Favourite Finish of the Month. As usual, I find it extremely difficult to choose only ONE favourite!! How can I even begin to choose only ONE??? Well, I can’t! I guess it’s because I generally like everything that I make! Which one is your favourite?
Don’t Forget:
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.
Back in May, when my son and his partner, Sara, were helping me to set up a booth for Essem Textiles, Carola’s Quilt Shop was setting up sort-of across the way. They saw a quilt she had hanging there and fell in love with it. Later, I went and bought the 5 fat quarters I needed to make the quilt. Here is a picture of the bundles of Tim Holtz fabric: (picture borrowed from Carola’s FB page).
It’s taken me since then to make the quilt and I gifted it to my son for his 42nd birthday – and yes, it was late! (How did my baby boy turn 42???).
Here’s a picture of him (and me and grand-dog) with the quilt:
And a picture of the quilt itself:
The quilting in the blocks used the Silly Moon ruler “Kite” … which broke as I was fighting with it on my little machine with a low shank. I didn’t have the proper ruler for my bigger high shank machine. And simple swirls with variegated thread were quilted in the sashing.
I used a light grey fireside on the back and it shows off the quilting! It’s a nice cozy quilt!
I used Hobbs 80/20 batting and Aurifil thread.
Don’t Forget!
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.
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.
So, you might be wondering WHY I’m a Silly Moon affiliate? Well, I was asked and said, “yes.” But also, I absolutely LOVE ❤️ the rulers.
Here’s a little about the beginning of my Silly Moon journey:
The first Silly Moon ruler I bought was “Turkey.” A friend of mine was helping vend at a quilt show and convinced me to buy it (Thanks, Judy D!). It was something that sat and sat. Finally, one day, I decided that I would use it on this donation quilt. You can read about it HERE.
My next venture with Silly Moon was with a “Cupid” ruler. I did all over hearts. I backtracked on a heart, then did another one from that point … it’s fun and simple and fast! The quilt on the left used all 4 sizes, the one on the right used mostly one size.
I believe it was during the Covid days that our guild had Kellie (owner of Silly Moon) do a workshop using 2 rulers, “Charming” and “Edgie 6“. We were instructed to make a small table mat using 5” squares. Well, for those of you that know, me, you know that I often don’t follow the exact instructions and I obviously made the following quilt bigger than a small table mat. In the centre, I followed the instructions in the class and used the appropriate rulers. Practicing the different motifs on different blocks. Then, I used a mixture of the Charming and Cupid rulers when finishing the quilt. You can read about it on THIS POST. I found the class was excellent and the rulers were easy to handle. You can access the on-line class HERE.
I’ve been buying Silly Moon rulers ever since. Rare is the quilt that doesn’t have some ruler quilting on it!! I think “Rocket” is the most used ruler I have. It is fantastic for stitch in the ditch, or a 1/4” echo and a zillion other uses.
At one point, I bought the “Twinkle” rulers. I made this Christmas wreath for an Island Batik challenge in July 2021. I used the Twinkle ruler in the centre and the 4 corners. You can read about it HERE.
“Rocket” was used to do a 1/4” outline on all the stars. You can see a close-up of it HERE.
The “Beanie” rulers are VERY versatile! They can do circles, arches and tons of things. I used them to do a Baptist Fan on this quilt. You can read about it HERE.
Visit Silly Moon to shop for the rulers and also visit their YouTube channel to see videos!
I have other Silly Moon rulers, but these were quilts that were quilted when I began my Silly Moon journey!
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!
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.
Fellow Island Batik ambassador, Denise Looney, offered a free sew-a-long to her St. Paddy’s quilt. Each week was free, and then you had to purchase it for a small amount. You can get the pattern on her blog “A Quiltery.”
I used a variety of Island Batik greens from the “Sandalwood” collection. “Ice” was the background fabric. The pattern is paper pieced. It’s a fairly simple pattern, but it took me AGES to make all the blocks. (And yes, I was working on 2 other quilts at the same time!). Unfortunately, I only took this one progress picture.
I decided to only do the centre medallion because I wanted it for a topper on my piano. I’m really impressed with how pretty it is!!! Thank you, Denise!
Fabric: Island Batik: various fabrics from the Sandalwood collection and “Ice.” Binding is “Seaweed.”
Here is my Affiliate link: https://glnk.io/mzmmj/quiltinggail If you order over $50 from Missouri Star, you will get 20% off your order and I will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
Earlier this year, Joanne, of Canuck Quilter offered a free mystery quilt. I couldn’t resist! She offered 3 different sizes and I chose to make the baby size. Although she had a parade of finished quilts (see HERE), I missed the deadline. But I’m here to show you mine now!
Here are the progress pictures:
And the finished quilt:
Quilt Stats:
Size: 36″ x 48″
Fabric: Island Batik: a 10″ stack of Island Batik “Constellations” and the light fabric is “Fondant.” “Blueberry” is the blue border. Binding is “Marble Storm” from Blenders
Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl hosts a “Favourite Finish” each month. My favourite finish is (again) hard to choose. My Island Batik paper pieced tree skirt (see THIS POST) or my Half and Half mystery. Which one is your favourite?
I still have 5 New Starts to finish and 5 UFOs … Working on them slowly!
Don’t Forget
Here is my Affiliate link: https://glnk.io/mzmmj/quiltinggail If you order over $50 from Missouri Star, you will get 20% off your order and I will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
Carol, from Just let me Quilt, is hosting “On the Road Again” blog hop. Here’s what she had to say about the blog hop:
Challenge: May starts the summer of travel so where would you like to go? Make something showing transportation vehicles (cars, planes, buses, etc.), summer fun, or a place you’d like to travel to.
I was debating and mulling over what to do for this challenge. I’d have one excellent idea, and then a day later, I’d throw it out. Another idea, and another day and ‘nope’ it’s not going to work. Silly cars?? planes?? Sailboats?? Mountains?? the beach?? SIGH!!! Such a fun theme, how can it be so difficult?
THEN … along came a post from Sew Can She … and I knew it was perfect for what I wanted! Rockets and Stars!! You can find the pattern HERE.
Now, I do not have any dreams to be in a rocket or to circle the earth or to go to the space station. Nope, not a single one. But, I’m almost 100% positive that the little boy that gets this quilt will at some time, dream of being an astronaut!
I made a few changes to the original pattern. I decided to do the stars in a different colour than the rocket blasts and I added a strip of sashing between the rows. And, when I was quilting it, I wish I had added one at the top and bottom as well.
Here’s a close-up picture of the quilting and a picture of the back:
Here is my Affiliate link: https://glnk.io/mzmmj/quiltinggail If you order over $50 from Missouri Star, you will get 20% off your order and I will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
Did you do the Fall Mystery quilt that was posted here on my blog? Several local people did the mystery and I got to see some of them in person at a guild meeting …
Here’s Patti’s, Patricia’s, & Stella’s
Below is Lynne who used the extra blocks to make another quilt! She donated both of these quilts.
At the Boundary Bay Quilt show, I spotted 10 hanging around the venue. If I missed yours, please accept my apology!
I had been under the impression that they would all be grouped together so people could see the variation that fabric choices make. (Obviously, I was mistaken) At any rate, here they are … no two are alike! I’m in AWE at how the different fabrics make such a different looking quilt!
The last 2 quilts are mine. The last one was made with Island Batik’s “Cheers” fabric collection. Hobbs batting is in the middle and Aurifil thread was used to piece and quilt it! All sewn on either my Feather weight or my domestic Janome (M7).
Please note: The clues to the Fall Mystery, using a Layer Cake, or a 10″ stack, will be removed at the end of May.
Something NEW!
Tomorrow, May 10, Jenny’s new tool box will be available for pre-order! The MSQC home page will be filled with all the information. Unfortunately, the kit is not coupon eligible for a 20% discount, but if you purchase it and use my Affiliate link: https://glnk.io/mzmmj/quiltinggail , I will still make a small commission.
Details of the Tool Box: This aqua metal toolbox is embossed with the Missouri Star logo and comes with Quilt Town floral fabric-lined inserts that easily lift out so you can store additional notions. The inside of the toolbox lid is magnetic to hold pins, needles, and other small notions. Elastic straps are also included to hold needle packs or a small template, and there’s extra room underneath the inserts for additional supplies. Jenny’s Signature Series Tools are made from German-grade surgical stainless steel and come beautifully etched with Missouri Star logos. The actual kits will start shipping sometime in August.
Here is my Affiliate link: https://glnk.io/mzmmj/quiltinggail If you order over $50 from Missouri Star, (aside from this Tool Box), you will get 20% off your order and I will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
If you were to ask me what my LEAST favourite part of quilting is, it would be Hanging Sleeves. They are not something I enjoy doing! But sometimes, it is necessary.
I belong to the Boundary Bay Quilt Guild and we have a quilt show coming up next weekend (May 4 & 5). Of course, I entered several quilts and each of them needs to have a hanging sleeve.
Here’s a partial picture of the quilt show’s raffle quilt. It’s a beauty!! You can buy tickets at the show.
About Hanging Sleeves
If you’ve been following me for very long, you’ll know that I highly dislike hand sewing. In fact, after about 10 minutes, my hands are so sore, it’s ridiculous! So my hanging sleeves are put on by machine, or pins.
I know that many of my friends already have their sleeves on and the quilts bagged and ready to go. Not me!! Why do it ahead of time when I can feel under pressure and get them done without delay?
An online friend of mine, Kathleen McMusing had a tutorial YEARS ago for using a blind hem for putting on hanging sleeves. On the 22nd of each month she has a blog post called “Tips and Tutorials.” This past week, she reposted about the hanging sleeve technique using a blind hem. See HERE. She has a plethora of tips and tutorials … so while you’re there, you might want to grab a cup of coffee or tea and spend some time on her site!
The following picture shows me using the Blind Hem stitch to add the hanging sleeve. For the 2nd or bottom row of stitching, I switched to the navy thread so it wouldn’t show on the front. My Oliso iron is awesome for pressing!!! (I received it as part of being an Island Batik Ambassador!)
I used the lint roller to get all the excess lint off the quilt. We are to put a label with our names and phone numbers on the quilt. I’ve just written it on the hanging sleeve. A small piece of paper will have the name of the quilt attached, just below the sleeve.
I tend to be thrifty with fabric, so I re-use the hanging sleeves! Sometimes, they are too long and I just fold them up on the ends. The quilt is going to be hanging and only the people hanging the quilts will see that it’s folded over. Well, I guess you now know as well!
Two done, 4 to go!
All but one of the quilts was made with Island Batik fabrics. They all have Hobbs batting and use Aurifil thread for piecing and most of the quilting.
I will be at the show each day, all day … you can find me vending at Essem Textile’s booth. Stop by to say “hi.”
A Finish!
I did have a finish this week. I showed it on my April Showers Blog Hop post. You can read about it HERE.
Well, that is correct!! I have NO new finishes … but I’m plugging along at several projects … and attempting to get ready for a retreat!
My Lone-star Left-overs is now a flimsy (1st pic). It’s a sort-of finish. I do all my own quilting on my domestic machine, so I don’t consider flimsies as a finish. It’ll be done when I get a round-to-it! The 2nd picture is the Fall Mystery Quilt where I used Island Batik’s “Cheers” fabric collection. And, yes, I’m using Silly Moon‘s Kite ruler … as well as the smallest Drop ruler (not shown).
I’m sure that I had a wooden Round TUIT years ago … but I have no idea what happened to it! LOL!!!
Favourite Finish of the Month
Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl hosts a Favourite Finish of the Month Link Party. Oh, why is it SOOOO hard for me to choose just ONE favourite finish? Especially this month because I have so many that I LOVE.
However, I think that my SAHRR (Stay At Home Round Robin) is my absolute fav of the above quilts! You can read more about this quilt HERE. I used Island Batik fabrics, Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 batting.
I was Featured!
Both Andree and Jennifer featured my quilt from last week. This was from the Give It a Whirl blog hop. You can read more about it HERE.
Carol from Just Let Me Quilt is the organizer and host for this Whirly Blog Hop.
Here’s what she had to say:
Challenge: Life can send us spinning sometimes, so let’s put those spins and whirls to good use in a quilt. Make something with pinwheel blocks, circle quilting, or whirly gigs. Try not to whirl out of control!
I went to EQ8 to figure out how many 8″ pinwheels, using 4″ HST, I would need for a decent size baby quilt. Here’s what I came up with: 15 pinwheel blocks and (15) 8 1/2″ unfinished squares.
Using Island Batik’s Sunny Meadow collection and solid white, I used the 8″ cube die to cut all of the triangles for the half square triangles. The cutting was done quickly, very quickly! I pieced it together and then had fun quilting! And yes, I just might have ‘whirled out of control‘ in the quilting. But I enjoyed every single minute of it!
Here are some close ups of the quilting:
Quilt Stats:
Size: 40″ x 48″
Hobbs 80/20 inside
Aurifil Thread:
Piecing: #2600 Dove Grey
Quilting: #2835 Medium Mint
At the moment, I’m debating whether to donate it or keep it for a special baby that I know nothing about … he or she may not even be conceived at this time. Time will tell.
The Blog Hoppers
Make sure you visit the following bloggers to see their “Give it a Whirl” quilts!
I decided I would make a scrappy quilt for the March challenge. I had have a large bag of green Island Batik scraps. I started out making 4 x 4 blocks with 2 1/2” squares all from the scrap bag. But, I didn’t count very well and made way too many blocks.
I didn’t like the look of the 16 patch blocks with a plain block in between. I know I had seen a quilt with 16 patches, alternating with a plainer block using half-square triangles. Do you think I could find it? Nope. Not a hope. So, I went to EQ8 and designed the first 2 blocks. I quickly realized that I could cut the 3rd block with my Accuquilt Cube 8″ dies (#5 for HST & #10 from Corners) and eliminate making a ton of half square triangles.
And this quilt was born.
Once I had the blocks up on the design wall, I decided I didn’t like it. It almost seemed unfinished to me. So I added half blocks all the way around with a 4 patch in each corner. The alternating blocks use a soft green called ‘mint.’ It’s an Island Batik basic and was the perfect choice for this quilt!
By the time I finished the above quilt, I still had lots of 2 1/2” squares left, many in 16 patch blocks. So, I pulled out ‘Ghost’ to make the neutral blocks and this quilt was born. I added a 4 1/2” border around it using Vegi Garden – Green Gr from the Fruit and Veggies collection. I used this collection last year for my Puff Quilt (see HERE). There was the perfect amount of this fabric for the borders and to bind the 2 quilts with about1/2 yard left.
Then, I started to tidy my sewing room and guess what I found? MORE 2 1/2” squares!!! a couple of 16 patch blocks!!!! and a few of the neutral blocks using ‘Mint.”!!! I guess that’s what I get for not being consistent in my cleaning!!! So, there was enough to make Quilt #3! And just the right amount of the green fabric for a border … This quilt was destined to have a scrappy border. I just did plain straight line quilting in this one. It’s OK … but it again showed me that I much prefer to do custom quilting as seen in the 2 quilts above.
When this quilt was complete, I did have a few stray neutral blocks and some green 4 patches, but not enough to do much with. I still have a fairly big bag full of green scraps, but they are all smaller than 2 1/2” square.
Here’s a picture of all 3 of them on the clothesline. A couple of them will definitely be donation quilts.
This Island Batik collection is absolutely gorgeous!
This collection is for Megan Best. She is an Island Batik Ambassador and we always had plans to meet. We only live about 17 miles apart … however, she lives in Washington State and I live in Canada 🇨🇦. I don’t need to tell you why it took over 3 years for us to meet in person.
Anyhow, last year, I needed to go down to Washington and I stopped by her place. She gave me a tour of her awesome studio! (Sorry, no pictures) and she showed me the beautiful quilts she has made with this collection. All of them are absolutely stunning! Then she asked if I’d like to make a quilt with this collection. Well, of course, I said “yes!!!”
I was gifted a fat quarter bundle … and then it was time to play. EQ 8 to the rescue!! But nothing said, “make me!” … So, I went to my Accuquilt dies and saw the Kite die in the 8″ Qube Angles box and paired it with the Triangles in a Square die. And I started cutting.
It’s such pretty fabric, it’ll make pretty blocks, right?
Well, no! It was too busy … and I hated it. And I didn’t take any pictures of the not-so-nice blocks. So I cut more triangle blocks out of white fabric and came up with this quilt:
The white set off the beautiful fabrics from the collection. I was happy! I used Hobbs 80/20 batting and quilted it with Silly Moon “Rocket” to make the straight lines. It is bound with a scrappy binding with left-over pieces. It is 44″ x 52.”
Then, I had the dilemma of what to do with the side pieces I had cut. I didn’t want the quilts to look the same, so I cut out lots of black triangles, using the Triangle in a Square die.
I add all of the side triangles I had cut with Pin Dot Floral and this quilt was born:
Such a different look with the same fabrics! For this one, I used Hobbs black batting. It’s perfect for dark quilts and doesn’t dull the beautiful colours! And again, I used Silly Moon’s “Rocket” for the straight line quilting. I love how the markings on the ruler make it super easy to have a pattern without marking the quilt! This quilt is 44″ square.
And a close up of the quilting:
I still have some left-overs of this beautiful fabric and I have a plan in mind!
Commitment
Do you remember, way back in January, I told you that my word for 2024 was Commitment? You don’t? Well, don’t worry … I had sort of forgotten as well.
I didn’t have enough UFOs to run the PHD in 2024 and Ms P Designs took it over. See HERE. But, I knew that I needed to be accountable and at least finish what I had started in 2024 … thus “Commitment.”
So far this year, I have started 10 projects and have completed half of them! I’m totally fine with that because I KNOW that none of them are being placed in a bin and hidden until who knows when! They will get done! Unfortunately, none of the UFOs have been completed – YET … but they are in the works … and the SAHRR ’24 needs to be completed for the SAHRR parade in March. It will get done!
Temptation!
Scrappy quilts have definitely been on my radar recently! The project I’m working on for March’s Island Batik challenge is definitely scrappy! Then our guild recently had Cheryl Arkinson speak. She’s all scraps and scrappy. And then I attended a Zoom presentation by Carola from Carola’s Quilt Shop and it was all about scrappy quilts. Carola’s blog has lots of ideas and easy to follow!
The problem: I now have TOO MANY ideas!!! I want to start at least 20 of them!!! How can I even resist starting half of them?????
Favourite Finish of the Month
Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl has a Linky Party at the end of each month where we are to choose our favourite quilt of the month!!! Oh me, oh my. How do I choose just ONE Favourite quilt? As an Island Batik Ambassador, I get to work with many, many beautiful fabric collections!!! They are all quite different and beautiful. Each has a unique beauty! I must admit, I LOVE my Island Batik quilts … and these 3 are the favourites for this month!
When I made one of my Log Cabin quilts for the Island Batik challenge, (see HERE) I wanted to use the lovely dark purple fabric (Gears – Purple Hyacinth) to back one of my log cabin quilts. But, alas, there was not enough. I have sometimes been asked how to make my diagonal backs, so I thought I’d do a short tutorial on it.
My quilt top is on the design wall. I took the dark purple and pinned it close to the top, folded it diagonally (not at 45o), just diagonally, from corner to corner. You can see how it looks ‘off’ from the quilt. That’s OK. You just want to have it diagonal.
Then I took my roller and pressed that diagonal line. The next step was to use my fabric shears and cut the diagonal line. I placed the 2 halves over the quilt, going beyond the quilt by about 3″ on each side. (that’s the extra I like to have when I’m free motion quilting). If you are worried about cutting on the bias, you can always put a small strip of iron-on interfacing on the cutting line before cutting. In this case, you may want to mark the line instead of ‘pressing’ it. When working with Island Batik fabrics, I don’t worry about the bias stretching and I am gentle with it!
Then, I measured the distance between the two halves … it was about 12.” I added 1/2” for seam allowance and I cut pieces of fabric 12 1/2” wide. Those were pieced together to make one long strip. Each half of the diagonally cut piece was sewn onto the long strip.
Yes, I could have used one piece of fabric for the long strip, but I chose to use some of my favourite fabrics from the line in the strip.
When I go to sandwich my quilts, I make sure that the 2 opposite diagonal corners of the quilt end up on the centre piece. This will avoid any nasty build up of seams in the corners.
I’d love to hear if you’ve ever done this or if you plan to!
I’ll be linking to Kathleen McMusing’s Tips and Tutorials. If you’ve never been to her blog … the Tips and Tutorials has a plethora of fantastic quilting information. It’s well worth the visit. HERE.
Winner of the Fabric Draw
When I posted my Island Batik Log Cabin Challenge, I offered readers / followers to have an opportunity to win some Heavy Metal fabric. The Rafflecopter only worked for some people, so I took the list from the Rafflecopter and the list from the comments and combined them. I used a Random Number Generator and the it’s #14 … Stella M. I have emailed her and the fabric will be in her hands soon!
TGIFF stands for Thank Goodness it’s Finished Friday! There are a multitude of bloggers that take turns each week hosting TGIFF and this week it’s my turn.
Sometime before Christmas, I taught a class on making a Retreat Bag. The pattern is free from Emmaline Bags . I used an older Island Batik fabric. When I taught the class, I had forgotten to quilt the fabric first. I had used a scrap of Hobbs 80/20 batting and no interfacing. The result is a bit of a limp bag, but it’s still beautiful and will hold a lot of stuff. This is the large size with the wires inserted. I also used the same outside fabric for my pockets because I want to be able to see them! If you look closely at the first picture, you can see that 2 daffodils are budding. Spring is on it’s way!
Link Party
Join the Party and show us what you have FINISHED this week!
Quilting Gail 