In other news, I have been working on the October Challenge for Island Batik, which is sponsored by Accuquilt. We have to make a quilt/project using the North Carolina Star Block on Board Die.
The September Island Batik Challenge and Blog Hop is called Pieced to Perfection. We were required to make a paper-pieced project at least lap sized, using as many different fabrics as possible from our assigned collection.
I received Chromatic. It is an original collection designed by Deb Tucker of Studio 180 Designs.
Chromatic Bundle
Chromatic Fabrics
And here is my response to the challenge!
Bromeliad Garden
I chose "The Palm" block from EQ8 Block Library (under Old favorites).
The on-point layout uses 24 blocks. I used 21 (out of the 22) fabrics from the Chromatic collection. I used three fabrics from Island Batik Basics, so that each leaf uses a different fabric. I chose the solid white background for maximum contrast with these dark/bright fabrics.
I started with making an audition block and after about three attempts, I was ready to roll.
Audition Blocks
I chose this block because it gives me the opportunity to show off every fabric (except the white one) from the Chromatic collection.
Since paper-piecing is not my strong skill, I wanted a block where imperfections did not cause a fatal flaw. Leaves, you know, are not exact :-) Further, since each leaf is its own block, a mismatched/imperfectly shaped leaf does not mess up the adjacent one.
Imagine the horror of mismatched seams, especially after all the effort of piecing and tearing out (hair and) paper.
Since the quilt finished at about 47" square, I pieced the back, using the leftover fabrics from the front.
I like to think that I "zipped" the two white pieces together :-D
The quilt is named Bromeliad Garden, for the shape of the leaves.
Pieced (Zipped) Backing
I quilted diagonal lines using my walking foot. The Backing and Binding are Island Batik Solid White.
Quilting Detail
Of course I added my label and thanked my quilt model for his patience and support of all my quilty endeavors. He was rewarded handsomely for his efforts :-)
If you'd like to win a handsome reward (in Island Batik fabric), please leave me a comment on this post. I will pick two winners on September 15.
Be sure to check each of the Ambassador’s posts as many of them will be offering their own giveaways – all the more reason to enjoy the Pieced to Perfection Blog Hop!
The full list of Ambassadors’ names, collections they will be using in their projects, and their post dates are as follows:
