Island Batik Step by Step Challenge

 The Island Batik challenge for January 2022 reads as follows: 

Island Batik has developed ten colorways of gradations with 20 steps in each. There are so many quilt projects that make use of gradations in color and value. Your challenge is to create a project that demonstrates this step by step change in color value!

I love this challenge. I absolutely do. I love creating quilts with gradations, where color (or value) gradually changes from one to the other. I made a Gradations quilt in Konark, even though it wasn't a requirement. Cross Currents was based on the same theme. Even the Iberian Lynx Project relies on gradually darkening values to convey the message of strengthening populations.

Tantalizing Teals :-)

I received the letter for the 2022 Ambassador Program in December 2021. I had recently completed my Synergy Quilt for the Make Modern magazine. As I read the requirements of the first challenge, I wondered - how would Synergy look with changing values of blue and green (instead of rainbow colors in the original)? Absolutely snazzy, said EQ8!

I wasted little time in cutting fabric but when I started cutting the grey background fabric, it did not feel right. Neither white nor black were giving me the warm fuzzy feeling I was looking for. Back to EQ8. Yellow it was!!! Although I had plenty of solid neutrals (Black, White and Grey). I had very little yellow solid. Within minutes, I ordered solid yellow. Now I had to sit tight and wait. So many gorgeous teals and I had to wait??? UNACCEPTABLE.

So, while I was waiting for the yellow solid fabric to arrive, I made this other quilt with the step by step gradations theme.  I am calling this one Supernova :-)

Supernova

I know I am crazy. But look at these tantalizing teals. Do you really blame me? I was hungry and Gradations is my favorite food group :-D

Frozen Pond = Poor Reflections :-(

I used Hobbs Thermore batting. This is my favorite batting because it is really light and so easy to work with. I used Schmetz Microtex 80/12 needles for both piecing and quilting. I used Aurifil Thread (40 wt) #2600 Dove for quilting.

Here are a few more pictures.

Supernova on Snow

Thank you Paul!

Yummy Fabrics - Step by Step

Once yellow solid arrived (thanks to a rapid response from Maryellen), I made Synergy in Tantalizing Teals with a Solid Yellow background.  I used Hobbs Premium 80/20 Cotton batting and quilted with Aurifil thread (40 wt) using the Schmetz Microtex 80/12 needle.

The Yellow sings and the Teals dance on the hot surface. And I am thrilled with this song and dance quilt!!!

Jubilant Quilt - Dull Reflection

I wanted a reflection of this simmering yellow in a cool pool, but alas all ponds are frozen resulting in blah reflections. May be in a couple of months, I will try again.

Against a red brick wall will do nicely

Winter is cold, Quilt is Hot

Snow does make a great setting

Dreary Urban Backdrop = Perfect for a Bright Quilt

Supernova finished at 52" square and Synergy (in Tantalizing Teals) finished at 56" by 70". Quilted using my walking foot. Used background fabrics for both bindings. Overall, I am very happy with my January, except the frozen bit. But enough about me. I'd love to hear from you. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

The Island Batik February Challenge and Blog Hop begins on January 31. I will be posting on February 16. You don't want to miss it. 

The other Island Batik Ambassadors are busy posting their “Step by Step” challenge quilts.
Do check them out. 

• Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs
• Megan Best ~ Bestquilter
• Pamela Boatright ~ Pamelaquilts
• Elizabeth DeCroos ~ Epida Studio
• Jennifer Fulton ~ Inquiring Quilter
• Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts
• Jane Hauprich ~ Stitch By Stitch Custom Quilting
• Reed Johnson ~ Blue Bear Quilts
• Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
• Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
• Denise Looney ~ For The Love Of Geese
• Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
• Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine
• Anorina Morris – sameliasmum.com
• Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion
• Claudia Porter ~ Create with Claudia
• Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads
• Brianna Roberts ~ Sew Cute And Quirky
• Michelle Roberts ~ Creative Blonde
• Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail
• Andi Stanfield ~ True Blue Quilts
• Sandra Starley ~ Textile Time Travels
• Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations
• Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt

Disclosure: The fabrics, batting, thread and needles were generously supplied by the following companies: Island Batik   Aurifil Thread   Hobbs Batting & Schmetz Needles !!

Island Batik 2022 - Unboxing 1

I am thrilled that Island Batik selected me as one of their 25 ambassadors in 2022.  This is my second year and I knew what to expect (sort of) when the first shipment of fabric and supplies arrived at my doorstep.  And yet when I opened the two boxes, I was giddy with delight. 

Setup for the Unboxing Video

Here is the Unboxing Video

Clearly, I am showing the gorgeous fabrics while failing to contain my delight.  Here are the supplies.

A generous box of batting from Hobbs.

Fusible Batting Strips for Totes/Baskets etc.

Queen Sized Batting - Polyester and Bleached Cotton

Queen Sized Batting - Wool and Cotton

A Fat Quarter Bundle of Tantalizing Teals - 20 fabrics. These will be used in the January project - Step by Step to make a Lap/Throw size Gradations Quilt.

Tantalizing Teals

In February, I will be using this half yard bundle of Lace & Grace to make the Row by Row Lap/Throw size quilt.  Lace and Grace is designed by Kathy Engle for Chris Hoover of Whirligig Designs.  In the video, I show the unopened bundle but you have to get close to see these beautiful colors.

Fall 2021 Collection - Lace & Grace by Kathy Engle for Chris Hoover

It comes with four yards of matching yardage. 2 yards of Bluegrass and 2 yards of Pistachio.

2 yards of light and dark yardage to match Lace & Grace collection

I also received 12 half yard cuts from Island Batik Foundations. These include four solids, four basics and four blenders. Island Batik Foundations are available all year round. 

Island Batik Foundations Bundle

For the Fall 2021 pre-cut, I received a set of 10" squares of Chantilly, designed by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton of The Quilt Rambler.  Deep purples and rich pinks with teals, blue and green.

Fall 2021 Pre-cut - Chantilly designed by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton of The Quilt Rambler

Matching Yardage

I also received two stash builders. If I had unwrapped them to show the gorgeous fabrics in the video, it would have been a bloopers reel with me trying to manage the 5" fabric strips while they slipped out of my hands and flew everywhere. But here in the still pictures, you can see the beautiful fabrics without any mishaps :-)

Violets and Lilacs

Teals and Azures

Four yards of Black, White and Grey are standard for every Island Batik shipment and I am so glad that we never run out of these basic neutrals.

Black, White and Grey Solids

Six yards of Fondant was also included in the box.  It is a beautiful background with a grey interlocking tile/herringbone pattern.

6 yards of Fondant

But wait there is more. Sadly, I don't have it yet.  Supply Chain issues (beyond our control) means that we will be receiving the remaining supplies (Winter 2021 Precut, Schmetz needles and Aurifil Thread) in the next shipment, hopefully in early February.  

In the mean time, there is plenty of pretty fabric in my studio and lots to do. 

Sneak Peek of February Challenge

I will be sharing my January Island Batik Project (Step by Step) on January 28, 2022, and the February Island Batik Challenge and BlogHop Project on February 16, 2022. Hope you will revisit. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar. 

Disclosure: The fabrics are provided by Island Batik. 

The batting is provided by Hobbs.

In other news, I am working on my red scraps (January is red) for the 2022 Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  

Improv Piecing with Red Scraps

Will be sharing with Angela's Linky Party. 

What is keeping you busy? Do let me know.

Synergy in Make Modern #44

I have news!!!

My pattern Synergy is in the Make Modern Magazine, Issue 44.

Synergy in Make Modern #44

Meet Synergy. Measuring 56" by 70", Synergy is made entirely with Island Batik Solids, provided to me free of charge by Island Batik. It is good to be an ambassador :-)

Orange Foliage, Rainbow Quilt

My favorite :-)

Breeze was a Brat

More Fall Foliage

Oh my beauty!

The quilt was completed in November 2021. The  pictures were taken on November 14, 2021. All instructions and pictures were sent on November 20, 2021. And then I had to sit tight till NOW.  

Sitting Tight?

Sunny Side Up

You have no idea how hard these last few months have been for me. This is a very big deal to keep bottled for this long a time. Therefore I am relieved (thrilled and giddy with happiness too) that I can now share this news with you.

Forgive me if I got a little trigger-happy :-)

Cloudy

Breezy

Sunny

I highly recommend the Make Modern magazine. Whereas a single pattern may cost about $12, you can get the entire issue (with 10 terrific patterns) for just $12. The 105 pages are chock full of quilty goodness with detailed patterns, features and articles!!!

But there is more. Isn't there always?

I wanted to see Synergy pattern in different colorways. Using EQ8, I modeled Synergy in Tantalizing Teals. But got stuck on the choice of background color. White was too plain, Black was too dark and Grey was too dull. But Yellow was perfect.

There was just one problem. I had about 12" of Island Batik Solid Yellow.  I needed 2.5 yards. I reached out to Maryellen, a fellow IB ambassador who owns the Etsy store MaryMackMadeMine. Maryellen rushed the fabric to me. I recommend her Etsy store for all your Island Batik needs.

Synergy in Island Batik Tantalizing Teals

Thanks to Maryellen, I was able to complete the quilt and shoot pictures to time this blogpost with the publication of the Make Modern, Issue 44. 

Frozen Pond = Poor Reflection

Hello Yellow!!!

Synergy Goes Wild!

Lighting up the Urban Landscape

Fire on Ice!!!

Paul: Is this your January challenge quilt for Island Batik?
Me: It can be.

Paul: But?

Me: But I made another quilt as my response to the challenge.

Paul: You could've killed two birds with one stone.

Me: But I have so many stones...

Paul: And you like throwing stones?

Me: I like playing with fabric, especially such gorgeous fabric.

Paul: Why stop at one when you can make two?

Me: Exactly!!! You totally get me :-)

Cold Weather, Hot Quilt!!!

Although Synergy (in Island Batik Tantalizing Teals with Yellow background) fulfills all requirements of the January IB challenge (Step by Step), I am sharing it here as a Synergy pattern.  All fabrics were provided by Island Batiks.

Upcoming Posts 
January 21, 2022 - Unboxing Video and Post
January 28, 2022 - Step by Step Challenge 

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar. But I'd like to hear from you. Which Synergy do you prefer - Rainbow Synergy or Teals Synergy?