April’s Island Batik Challenge

Last month, for the Island Batik challenge, I HAD to use the “Glorified 9 Patch” Accuquilt Go! die. And, I made the quilt on the right. You can read more about it on THIS POST. I enjoyed making the blocks SEW much! I knew I wanted to use the die again to make another quilt that was totally different! I think I achieved that goal!
As I was making the March quilt, I thought about April’s challenge to do a Creative Border or Binding. The idea to use the “big curve” portion of the die came to life when I thought it would make for a creative, curved border.
It was a little unsettling to have those pieces on the outside of the quilt with nothing to piece and match up to the notches. (Well, duh, that was the idea, right?)
I used Hobbs Heirloom Permium Cotton Batting that was a dream to free motion quilt with. I also used Schmetz Microtex 80/12 which goes through the batik and batting with ease.
I started out quilting the quilt with Aurifil #1148: a pretty teal that I received from Island Batik last year. It was perfect for outlining the colourful blocks and completing the circles. (You can see a little of it at the corner on the picture below.) Then I started to do the freemotion quilting to fill in the circles. Oh MY … talk about a disaster … then I decided to try pebbles … still disastrous … then I decided I HAD to take all of the free motion quilting out. That took a bit of time! Actually – a lot of time! A couple of evenings at least!
Once all free motion teal was removed, I switched to Aurifil #2309, an off white. It was perfect! You can see the quilting, but not all the mistakes! I know, I know … if you look closely, you can still see the mistakes …

I made the bias binding according to one website, but I won’t tell you which one because the measurements were so very misleading. I ended up with enough bias binding to use on 3, yes 3 quilts. In the end, I guess that’s better than not having enough binding, right?
I LOVE the vibrant colours of the Island Batik fabrics in this quilt! Since we’re social isolating, all the pictures were taken in my front yard. Spring is just starting to show it’s pretty hopeful self! The hyacinths smell heavenly and the tree with the pink blossoms is alive with the buzzing of bees!


Disclaimer: The products featured in this Blog post were given to me by Island Batik, and their co-sponsers Aurifil, Hobbs Batting, Schmetz Needles & AccuQuilt!
One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!
Happy Quilting!
Gail
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Right now, in this time of chaos, uncertainty and the unknown, it is important that we Celebrate Success! I know that most of us are starting to settle into our “Stay at Home,” “Lockdown” or whatever situation we are in. I know for myself, this is really, really important as we learn to adapt to our new reality!




Florabunda:
An Island Batik project was completed … but that’s not counted in my stash.




















Circles is being quilted




This month’s Island Batik challenge is to use the Accuquilt die we were given in January.
Circles – borders on and it is sandwiched ….




I told you that I worked with a friend and she made a cute little pouch. Well, I had to make one … actually 2.