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Thursday, January 17, 2019

ISLAND BATIK AMBASSADOR BLOG HOP


This blog hop's theme is Getaway. Since I don't do appliqué or theme quilts very well I decided to say that making this quilt was a journey for me. The journey involved designing the quilt.

I was given the fabric collection (of course from Island Batiks) called Soul Song. It was in my surprise package that I wasn't able to use until now. The collection was unusual in that it had two completely different looks. Ten of the fabrics were small dots in all different colors and ten were tans and blacks with geometric shapes on them. What do I do with two fabrics that to me didn't go together at all even though they were in the same collection?

Here is a sampling of what the fabrics looked like.




I started like I usually do and open EQ8 and think about doing a log cabin block. Being rushed for time, I decided that I didn't have time to make a lap size quilt of log cabins. So I did something I haven't done before. I made it up as I went a long!

Luck would have it that I received a wonderful package from FedEx labeled Accuquilt that same week. I found out that Accuquilt graciously gave the ambassadors an Accuquilt Go 



with some dies! Perfect timing! In that package was a die for 2-1/2" strips. I also had a die for 1", 1-1/2" and 2" strips so I decided to use my new toy to cut strips. I cut the tan and black strips with the smaller die and the colored strips with the 2-1/2" die.



I then cut them into sections. The fastest way to cut a lot of different strips is to line them up and cut them all at the same size. (I had to use two rulers to get the size I wanted. I don't use my mat to measure.)



I thought maybe a type of Rail Fence quilt would work so I sewed them together alternating the colored fabrics and tan fabrics.



I then laid a few of the blocks out in a Rail Fence design and stood back and looked at it.



Too boring! So I decided to cut them in half diagonally.



Now the tricky part. How do I cut the second piece so that they fit together? It took me a couple tries but finally figured it out. (Luckily I was able to use the ones that I cut wrong since there are only a couple different ways to cut them.)



I put them together. I liked the look but decided that I didn't want to take the time to match all of those seams!



So I cut a thin strip of one of the fabrics in the collection that I hadn't used yet to put in the middle of the block. Now I was happy with the block! 



So I continued with all of the strips and laid it out on my design wall.



I decided that a border was not necessary so I pieced the backing with my leftover fabrics, 



used some wonderful Hobbs Tuscany Cotton/Wool batting, 



that was given to me in my Island Batik box, and put it on my quilting machine. That is where I am right now since I had to get this blog out! Have to figure out how to quilt it now (the hardest part for me). Any suggestions? I always start by quilting in the ditch (with the Aurifil Monofilament thread that I was also given) on each side of the diagonal strips. I'm thinking some type of curves since the quilt lines are all straight.




I was pretty pleased with myself! Not only did I design something that I had no idea what it would look like when I finished but also that I made a scrappy quilt (which is hard for me since I am so predictable and uptight about knowing what my finished project should look like). 

Well as usual I am late getting this out, which has been a pattern for me lately.

I will be having a give away of five fat eighths of some Island Batik fabrics (not from this collection since I used most of it). If you want to be in the drawing be sure to leave a comment and your email address so I can contact you if you win. Also if you have any suggestions for quilting this let me know and if you are interested in a pattern on how to make this quilt with the measurements I would like to know that too. I will be choosing a winner when the blog concludes in the first week in February.



Be sure to follow all of the other Ambassadors blogs on the collections that they received and enter the drawing from Island Batik's blog for 20 FAT QUARTERS!

ISLAND BATIK GIVEAWAY

As always: Do what you love and love what you do. Thanks for reading and please share with your quilting friends.

WEEK 1
Monday, January 7 - Crystal Ball


Tuesday, January 8  - Ditty


Wednesday, January 9 - Elk Lodge


Thursday, January 10 - Feline Fine


Friday, January 11 - Flea Market


WEEK 2
Monday, January 14 - Fortune Teller
Jennifer Fulton- The Inquiring Quilter


Tuesday, January 15  - Gypsy Rose


Wednesday, January 16 - Paisley Park


Thursday, January 17 - Soul Song


Friday, January 18 - Twilight Chic


WEEK 3
Monday, January 21 - Winter Park


Tuesday, January 22  - Bazaar


Wednesday, January 23 - Blossom


Thursday, January 24 - Boho


Friday, January 25 - Brookview


WEEK 4
Monday, January 28 - French Blue


Tuesday, January 29  - Midsummer Night


Wednesday, January 30 - Oh Deer


Thursday, January 31 - Snow Berry  


Friday, February 1-  Candy Cane Lane and Icicle
Anne Wiens- Icicle - Sweetgrass Creative Designs


Barbara Gaddy - Candy Cane Lane  -Bejeweled Quilts by Barb

97 comments:

Vicki in MN said...

Toby I think you did a fabulous job and the fabrics do look good together after all. I would have thought the same as you that they didn't go together when looking at the bundle. But you sure made it work great!

MTayon said...

The quilt turned out great! Thanks for sharing the “road” to this quilt!

MTayon said...

Thanks for sharing your journey of discovery! The quilt looks great!

For the love of geese said...

It looks wonderful for an improv quilt. Good luck choosing a quilting design, that is always the toughest for me as well. Denise-Fortheloveofgeese

jellybean said...

Thank you for sharing your process love the quilt

Allison said...

I love how your quilt turned out. Just beautiful!

@lutzcats said...

Wow...that quilt looks so REGAL!!! Thank you for sharing your talents and creativity with us today.

Lori Smanski said...

This turned out lovely. You are right, this was a journey in itself. Hmm, if it was me, I would quilt it in large circles, keeping it simple so as not to detract from all the lovely rails. Have fun. And thanks for the give a way.
quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

Calicojoan said...

What fun results you found yourself with too! Great design and the fabrics look fabulous together!

mumbird3 said...

Amazing quit - love it - mumbird3atgmaildotcom

scottylover said...

I love how this turned out! I think if you quilt it with an all-over curve or meander it will be great!

Sandy A
scotty4me39 (at) yahoo.com

Quilting Tangent said...

You could go straight lines or looping, curves maybe circles. I would do an overall loose loopy to break all the straight lines. 24Tangent@gmail.com

Cathy C said...

THis turned out great. I would quilt it something curvy - baptiste fan or swirls?

Cathy C said...

This turned out great. I would quilt it something curvy - Baptiste fan or swirls?

Gene Black said...

I think it turned out beautifully. I am also surprised at how the fabrics worked together.

Anne Wiens said...

My longarm quilter has an overall pattern called "Windy Leaves" that has become my go-to when I don't have a definite quilting plan.

Linda said...

I am enjoying following you since the mystery quilt. I thank you for this opportunity.
Lchin632@gmail.com

Kathy L said...

Great design. Beautiful fabric.

Anita said...

I love the improvised way you made the great blocks, gorgeous result!

Joyce Carter said...

Gorgeous quilt! That design was just right to use all the different fabrics. I would quilt it with a curvy design.
Thank you for the giveaway.

Geri said...

Great creativity. I love your results.

Leanne Parsons said...

Great job finding a way to work with the fabrics! I think it looks fabulous, especially with the diagonal strip separating the halves of the block.

Anna brown said...

Nice I love it and the colors are so pretty..ty for sharing your talents with us...happyness04431@yahoo.com

Sew News said...

OMG I love this quilt. Such a beauty

Diantha said...

What a great quilt! I really like the addition of the narrow diagonal strip. For quilting - I agree - some kind of curves, maybe on the horizontal and vertical seams.

sewnews said...

Love this. Really want this pattern! Lynn Yanez. sewnews@cox.net

Farm Quilter said...

Love your quilt - you did good, girl!!! For quilting it...swirls like Angela Walters does so there is lots of texture to complement those gorgeous fabrics!!! I'm looking forward to seeing it finished! Here is a link to Angela's youtube channel and her little lesson on swirls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDabNTxjhmo

Tami Von Zalez said...

What an odd juxtaposition of fabric - not your technique, but Island Batik's collection. I was thinking, "one of these things is not like the other."

Sharon Aurora said...

Your quilt brilliantly showcases this collection of fabric. Beautiful colors.

tac73 said...

Love how this quilt came together. Thank you for sharing the process.

Μοιρούλα said...

Gorgeous quilt!
Thank you for the giveaway.

Diane said...

I love this idea! I have been going through my scraps and organizing them, and think I will use this pattern to make a scrappy quilt. It should use up lots of my strips! Thsnk you!

myzbarb said...

Your 'make it up as you go' worked out great! I don't think a lot of quilting is needed so maybe just a spiral in each diamond.

Mish Mash and More said...

Love that little diagonal strip; it makes all the difference in the world, a great difference!
djl3339@yahoo.com

Mindy Sebastian said...

I love a scrappy quilt, but I also have a hard time starting something if I don't have an idea of how it will end. Good job pushing out of your comfort zone! It turned out great!

cghundley said...

Your quilt is
looking amazing!
Love the cuts and
free design you
came up with.
Carla from Utah

Jollygirl said...

I love your quilt and I want the pattern. It is gorgeous! I think a quilting design with swirls would work nicely. Thanks for the post and the drawing.

Barb said...

What a fun quilt, love it when an idea takes me in a positive direction...

Nancy J said...

This turned out to be wonderful, I did like it with all those small matching seams!!! But what a time to do each one exactly.The tiny strip is the perfect way, and when all together, a beauty. Quilting, large loopy swirls, and maybe a line either side of the tiny strip? Something that doesn't subtract or is it distract from the wonderful design with super fabrics.

Jocelyn said...

Great job! Love those batiks.

Barb said...

Your design turned out very well! Love Island Batiks! They are all so beautiful.
barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

lorrwill said...

Something curvy. Another vote for baptist fan, clamshells, etc.

Deb B. said...

Thank you for sharing your process of how you came up with the quilt design. I really like how it turned out. I think a simple loose curvy design would be nice for your quilt. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.

Sewgirl said...

Nice job! I would also suggest some curvy quilting in an all-over design. All over designs often work well as it really highlights the details of the beautiful piecing you did.

nicolesender said...

You are so creative! Great way to use the batik you received!
nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

Sylvia Anderson said...

Isn't it a good feeling when something starts out one way, and then turns into a great looking finished piece? I really think this quilt is beautiful, and wonder if you are going to write a pattern for it.

JANET said...

Great idea to put the strip in the middle to eliminate any problems with matching seams. ndfromsd atgmail dotcom

Lisa England said...

Wow, that turned out just gorgeous! The quilt top has a lot going on with the fabrics and piecing (my favorite type of top!) so I think a curvy edge to edge design is all it needs. Swirls, flowers, wavy lines, loose feathers -- I think anything like that could work.
jklmengland at windstream dot net

spacer said...

Love your ideas. I need to learn to use my GO! More. Right now I’m mostly cutting wool circles.

GranChris said...

What a wonderful quilt. The accuquilt was a great gift.Makes cutting fast and easy.

Stevie said...

I'm impressed by your ingenuity. Love the quilt just the way you did it


stephaniewoodward@att.net

Kathryn said...

Very interesting pattern in these batiks. I'd do some modern straight lines on the quilt. Thanks for the giveaway.

Unknown said...

Love your quilt and the interesting design that you get after you added that thin tan piece. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.net

Cecilia said...

Great job!
cecilialyoung at gmail dot com

Dena@LivingWaterQuilter.com said...

fun process and quilt

VA said...

Stunning! The fabrics are beautiful and I enjoyed reading how the design came about.

jrquilts said...

GREAT JOB LOVE THOSE BATIKAS .
hjrogers@sympatico.ca

Unknown said...

Fascinating to read how you came up with the pattern including in it fabrics that you were unsure what to do with. and had a great result. This is an idea I'll have to use for my next charity quilt. I'd love to have the measurements for the original block and cutting instructions if possible. Really looking forward to the mystery paper piecing project as that is something new for me to learn. Thank you .

Unknown said...

Wow, such a beautiful quilt!

Thanks,
Lorri
btfly61@yahoo

Deb B. said...

Your quilt is lovely. Thank you for sharing your process for deciding how to use the fabric in this quilt. It is helpful and fun to read how you worked through it. I think a loose loopy pattern might work for the quilting. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.

Dione Gardner-Stephen said...

Adding the diagonal strips was a really clever way of keeping those seams apart so they didn't need matching. :) Love your project.

rosemaryschild said...

Your quilt is so colorful! I love these fabrics together! Thank you for sharing, Susan

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Beautiful quilt and you did a wonderful job of blending both groups of colors together!

Anita Jackson @ Domestic Felicity said...

I like how resourceful you are by using almost everything in the quilt, Great! I'm always bombarded by all the leftovers I have. Working on lots of scrap quilting right now!

Jayne said...

I love how this turned out and really think you should produce a pattern. I would also choose a curved design for the quilting

Bonnie58 said...

I love this quilt and would love to see the pattern. I agree, a curvey quilting pattern would be awesome - something not too tight, but looser and snuggly!. Thanks

Carol Andrews said...

Hi To y. Your quilt is fabulous, the fabrics are incredible and the pattern would be appreciated!
Carol Andrews
QuiltSchmilt@gmail.com
https://quiltschmilt.wordpress.com/

Dawn F said...

That is such an amazing quilt for making it up as you went! That would make a really cool pattern! I would quilt it with wavy lines I think.

Kathleen said...

What a wonderful quilt with a challenging set of fabrics. I am never as adventurous as you, but it gives me hope I could try that one day!

Sheepish said...

A fun quilt. I like the narrow sashing.

Roz said...

Toby, it's super! I love the dotted batiks. You did a great job for winging it. Wish I could think like that.

Angie said...

Very pretty quilt! Enjoy your day! angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom

Cindy Shelley said...

Love your quilt, love the narrow strips. Curved or circle quilting. Thanks for participating in the blog hop and the opportunity to win.

Deb FitzGerald said...

I would have found those fabrics challenging to use also, but you did it beautifully. I would definitely make that pattern. I love the fabric line. Thank you for the chance to win.

Beth said...

I'm not great with quilting suggestions as my skills are rather rudimentary si I tend to keep it simple. I loved hearing about the thoughts behind your design choices.

DawnyK said...

Wow, that's fabulous!!! Wonderful creativity to make your own pattern. For quilting, what about a point to point quilting of petals back to the center of each square and to each corner & side edge.

Kathy E. said...

You have such a creative, clever way to change up a block and make it more appealing! When the blocks were put together, the quilt became mesmerizing! So cool! Such beautiful fabrics to work with too.

Karrin Hurd said...

Great project, I really like the look of it!
Patches8@yahoo.com

Rozz01 said...

Great idea to put in the narrow strip and it adds eye appeal too.

Brenda @ Songbird Designs said...

Very nice quilt. I really like your idea of putting the strip in the center to cover where the seams match. Great thinking!! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Pamela said...

I loved the story of your quilt! How brave and creative! And it turned out beautifully. I agree with you on the curvy quilting. That will really make all those colors dance. Thanks so much for sharing this!

Linda H said...

For making it up as you went along, it turned out well. I look forward to seeing the finished quilt, when its all quilted. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

joolz said...

Heck, ya! I'd love a pattern of this.

Julie.mirdoch@shaw.ca

cindy m said...

This quilt is AWESOME!!!!! Love it!!!
lstangl482 at aol dot com

Cathy L Wilson said...

I love your quilt and how you made such dissimilar fabrics work together! I’d definitely like to have this pattern!
cathylouwilson@gmail.com

Marsha M. said...

You’ve done a great job of improvising as you go with fabulous results. Maybe someday I’ll be able to step outside of my comfort zone and just go for it too.
Thanks for sharing your design process with us.
Marsha
Meibert@comcast.net

Havplenty said...

Quilt awesomeness. With great eye appeal and to be designed as you went along. A make it work moment that turned out great.

tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com

jellybean said...

Love the quilt thank you for sharing

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

For two sets of fabrics you thought didn't quite go together, they sure look sensational in your quilt! It's lovely!

Leah said...

Beautiful! Love the layout and how well it showcases the fabrics! Gorgeous quilt.
Can't wait to see how you quilt it!

Gail said...

Beautiful quilt. I'm not good with scrappy.

TJenn said...

I am in awe at how you came about designing & developing your pattern - on the fly! How cool is that these days. This takes a lot of concentration & insight. I like the results also. Great job thinking outside the normal mode of quilting. Love those Batiks

Unknown said...

Love the challenge.Great pattern

Sew News said...

Looking forward to this being added to your patterns to buy Love it!

Anonymous said...

I have not started #4&5 blocks. Will there be a blog for either of these blocks? I love your insightful directions.

Anonymous said...

BTW I’ve not started #4&5 bc I have been a bit under the weather and used my few pockets of time to finish up a few UFOs. Blessed,
Robin

Anonymous said...

Can’t wait to see how yo will have us pull them all together.