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
