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Island Batik Ambassador Program: May Challenge

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This month, the Island Batik Ambassadors were given the challenge to create a project using our assigned Studio 180 tool and a half yard bundle of Island Batik fabric. I was assigned the Celebrate collection by Kathy Engle, and the Tucker Trimmer I tool. Celebrate will be shipping to quilt shops soon! This tool makes it quick and easy to make accurate half square triangles. I used all 20 designs in the collection and made 30 units in two sizes to create a table runner. I chose Slate from Island Batik's Bodacious Blacks collection to really set off the bright, happy colors of Celebrate. I had some fun with thread colors this time, using Henrik Müller's Aurifil collection, Proud & About. I am a Schmetz lover for life! I usually use their 90/14 topstitch needles, but I find that their microtex needles work even better for batik fabric.  This wa

Island Batik Ambassador Program: April Challenge

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This month, the Island Batik Ambassadors were given the challenge to make a crazy quilt using the Aurifil Color Builder sets we were given. I received the Hawaiian Blue Ginger set. Look how gorgeous these threads are! As you can tell, my favorite from this set was color 4651, which is a variegated thread with shades of yellow and pink.  I immediately knew that I would be pairing this lovely thread with fabric in shades of my favorite color, teal. I also knew I would not be making a quilt in the traditional sense.  At first, I considered making a quilt coat. However, I have almost no experience with garment sewing, and wanted to be sure this project would come out great and be worthy of showing off the thread. So, I decided to do what I do best and make a bag. I have been a huge fan of Patterns By Annie for quite a while now, and my By Annie Bag Makers Group on Facebook now has over 33,000 members in 94 countries. We are always sharing lots of photos and trying t

Island Batik Ambassador Program: March Challenge

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This month's challenge was to make any project I want, with any Island Batik fabric collection I choose.  I made Bowl Me Over 2.0, Patterns By Annie. The red strips are from Ravishing Reds, and the Parakeet (lining) is from Tantalizing Teals. I used Aurifil thread, although this is not the collection I was assigned for the April challenge- you'll see that soon. I used a Schmetz microtex needle, which I find works better with batiks than my usual Schmetz topstitch needle. The label is by Kylie and the Machine, and I used my rivet press from Kam Snaps.

Fabric delivery!

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Yesterday I received my parcel from Lovely Jubbly Fabrics. They're in the UK and I'm in the US, but somehow their fabric keeps jumping into my shopping cart. It's a mystery! 🤣 Look how nicely they wrap everything up. ❤️ Libs Elliott fabric! I also got a decal and a pin. 

Misadventures in Bag Making- Episode 2: Zipper Woes and Wisdom

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The next episode of Misadventures in Bag Making is up! https://youtu.be/Y2zJpkMdtPc

Island Batik Ambassadors - All Puffed Up!

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*Fabric shown in this post was provided by Island Batik Fabrics as part of their Ambassador Program.* The first challenge of the year for the Island Batik Ambassadors is to make a puff quilt. This is a project that has intrigued me for some time, but for some reason, I had never tried it before this challenge!  I was lucky enough to be assigned Juicy Mosaics, a gorgeous line of batik fabrics by Kathy Engle for Island Batik. Just look at these colors! 😍😍😍 I read and watched videos about many different techniques for creating a puff/bubble/biscuit quilt, but as per my usual way of going about things, I decided upon a combination of winging it and combining tips from various sources.  I designed my quilt as I went, using a combination of strips and squares. The quilt was a bit cumbersome to work with, but I think the result is worth it.  These shops have Juicy Mosaics in stock now: Creekside Quilts OR Hancocks of Paducah Stitchin Heaven Castle Sewing Centre-CANADA JellyRoll

Pretties 🥰

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I just got a big delivery from Pineapple Fabrics. I had a bit of difficulty resisting their clearance department. 😬😂