Welcome to today's stop on Island Batik's "Beat the Heat" blog hop. Although we can't actually help reduce the heat and humidity, we perhaps can offer some distraction by showing off the new Island Batik collections shipping to stores now.
We've had wicked heat and humidity this past month, so it was
nice to think back to January when the
first Island Batik Ambassador box arrived.
first Island Batik Ambassador box arrived.
In that box were two parcels wrapped in paper marked "Surprise",
which we were to keep secret
until now.
which we were to keep secret
until now.
Inside my parcels, was a collection called "Garden Party". Designed by the Colourworx team, the collection includes 20 different batik prints in saturated rainbow colours.
...and I headed off to the open EQ8 on the computer. I wanted to use large pieces to show off the fabrics; these are 8" squares, with triangle corners added to give a star shape. Alternate blocks with an X made from the cranberry yardage give the stars the appearance of floating.
The triangle point at the edges were pieced into the inner border to complete the star shape.
To make the borders, I pieced 1" width of fabric strips of each colour together, then subcut them into 6-1/2" widths. It made the piecing go really quickly to do it this way.
I decided to mitre the corners, and everything lined up perfectly.
This time, instead of basting on the floor as I always do, I decided to clamp it to my cutting table (which just happens to be in an air-conditioned room!) Polly was her usual helpful self when it came to basting... The batting chosen is my favourite Hobbs Tuscany Wool; you can see a bit poking out at the edge. It's Polly's favourite too, and the cut-off scraps go into a box for her which we call her nest, as she snuggles down inside to nap.
The backing is a plain muslin from Mrs Pugsley's Emporium, for which Aurifil #2000 in
50 weight was a perfect match.
For the blocks, I free motioned a flowery motif.
The borders got a squiggly line free motion stitched across the seam, rather than in the ditch.
The alternate X blocks have the same squiggle stitched through their centres. As this is a bed quilt, I wanted it left soft and squishy. The quilt is sized to fit a twin bed.
Hubby and I took it downtown to photograph at Amherst's beautiful Victoria Square.
Monday, August 5
Leanne Parsons
Sherry Shish
Tuesday, August 6
Bill Locke
Lisa Nielsen
Wednesday, August 7
Sandra Walker
Terri Vanden Bosch
Thursday, August 8
Pamela Boatright
Kathleen McCormick
Monday, August 12
Karen Neary
Carol Moellers
Tuesday, August 13
Michelle Roberts
Laticia “Tish” Stemple
Wednesday, August 14
(Debora) Anne Wiens
Gene Black
Thursday, August 15
Tina D Dillard
Bea Lee
Monday, August 19
Joanne Hart
Carla Henton
Tuesday, August 20
Connie Kauffman
Vasudha Govindan
Wednesday, August 21
Vicki Schlimmer
Mania Hatziioannidi
Thursday, August 22
Gail Sheppard
Monday, August 26
Maryellen McAuliffe
Jennifer Strauser
Tuesday, August 27
Connie K Campbell
Joan Kawano
I just love fabrics and especially batiks!
ReplyDeletemiroula@yahoo.gr
those blocks are wonderful, but the corners make this extra special. Great photo settings, that rounds it all up to be a success that is out of all our imagination.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a fun design, I love it! A beautiful spot for photographs too.
ReplyDeleteI love the colours in that quilt. I will have to look for the collection around here. I know a store nearby has started carrying Island Batiks, so I'll watch for it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt!!
ReplyDeleteI love your quilt design. The quilt came out beautifully with the red background. And those piano key borders are just lovely.
ReplyDeleteKaren beautiful as usual, I love bright colours and love batiks they are my favourite to work with.
ReplyDeleteLove your quilt.
ReplyDeleteCshelleyqbq(at)gmail(dot)com
Karen - as usual you have knocked it out of the park with this design!! It is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteNice use of all those wonderful, bright colors. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteyour quilt is lovely. you really showed those fabrics off well. I love how you made it so in the end it is soft and cuddly. thanks for sharing. quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
ReplyDeleteGorgeous quilt! Love
ReplyDeletethe floating stars.
Carla from Utah
Wonderful use of those happy colors. Nancy A: SewingGranda@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThat quilt is smiling, happy colors!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful quilt - shows off the colors so nicely.
ReplyDeletediantha.howard@gmail.com
Absolutely gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI love the construction of this and that you get to see so much of the fabric. The extending into the border is always a nice touch. I love that you mitered the corners - just what it called for. This is a real beauty!
ReplyDeleteI looooove bright quilts and the fabrics are just amazing. What a wonderful design and quilt.
ReplyDeleteLove your beautiful quilt!!
ReplyDeletebarbkaup)(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)
Love that bright bright quilt. Really shows off those beautiful batiks.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous quilt. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteWhat a great quilt! I love that it is Polly-approved! LOL! I love how you made the stars floating!!
ReplyDeleteOoh...I like this fabric collection. Love your pattern. It turned out great.
ReplyDeleteWonderful quilt, great colors and design. Jmikebalou (at)aol (dot) com
ReplyDeleteGreat pattern, Karen! I've just finished a "rainbow" bargello, so these fabrics are particularly appealing. Joanne, Armstrong, BC (you have my email address)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love the bright colors in your quilt. Beautiful. grinnie1961 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun collection to work with. I love how the made the corners of your border. dawn (Dot) bulthuis (@) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteA beautiful quilt and I love all the photos throughout. I am assuming you quilted this on your domestic machine.
ReplyDeleteLovely quilt - especially love the quilting motif! mumbird3atgmaildotcom
ReplyDeleteKaren, it’s quite beautiful! So bold, bright and cheerful! Love how those corners came out when you mitered them. I keep meaning to tell you how much I like your header picture!
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely Karen! Those colours sure do remind me of our summer heat- blue skies and "July-hot" reds yellows and oranges! Whew! Love the blocks extending into the border,and the mitred corners are the perfect touch!
ReplyDeleteGreat quilt--and it works well with the rainbow colors. lesliejp9@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteLovely quilt and a fabulous shot of Polly! (If I win, you know where to reach me ��)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Love the use of color!
ReplyDeleteLovely quilt in a lovely setting. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGreat colors and design, really beautiful quilt!
ReplyDeleteWow great quilt and the colors are to die for.... happyness04431@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteWhat a vibrant, cheerful quilt! You made great use of the fabric and really showed off each print. wordygirl(at)earthlink(dot)net
ReplyDeleteFabulous showcase of our lovely fabrics!!
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely. It has a real Moroccan feel to it
ReplyDeleteLove the colors!
ReplyDeleteI love the colours. Your pattern shows them wonderfully.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is wonderful! I love that you went into the borders to continue the design.
ReplyDeleteThis is a gorgeous quilt. The cranberry background really makes the colors pop.
ReplyDeleteVibrant and exciting quilt. Love the machine quilting also! Thanks for posting inspiring patterns.
ReplyDeleteI really love this design, Karen! It's beautiful and great for showing off the pretty fabrics. Your quilting is a great complement to it, too!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Karen, for my name was chosen, and I have some wonderful patterns, the Stuffie bag fabrics are chosen, cut, slashed and sewn back together again, this is something I have always admired so much, and NOW have made my own.
ReplyDelete