Aurelia

Aurelia was published in Make Modern Issue #56.

Aurelia is now available in my Etsy Shop as a standalone pattern.  It is a detailed pattern with 8 pages of step by step instructions including a coloring page. 

I am offering a 25% discount till Friday, April 5, 2024.

Designed in EQ8, Aurelia uses Island Batik fabrics from two collection. The blues came from the Porcelain Blue collection and the Purples are from the Morris Mist collection.

Aurelia finished at 60" by 84". Not my usual colors, nevertheless I am thrilled with this finish. 

Blue Skies, Breezy Day

For background I chose Egg White (Island Batik Neutral) and Island Batik Solid Black.

I used Fondant (Island Batik Neutrals) for Backing. The Binding is Powder Blue (Brilliant Blues).

Fondant Backing, Powder Blue Binding

I chose a variegated thread and quilted using my walking foot with my favorite squiggly lines.

Walking Foot Quilting

Labelled

We took it out for pictures. I had a fun time, shooting with the polar bear :-) climbing up on a short wall at a roundabout, till the security guard asked me to step down. I apologized sincerely and got down immediately. We had already taken the pictures ;-P

Thank you Polar Bear!

It was a breezy day and Paul held the quilt in place atop the polar bear, discreetly hiding in the shadows, while I took the picture. 

For the next pictures, I modeled and Paul photographed. 

Polar Bear in the background

Fiery Tree Backdrop

I am in love with Aurelia. She has an ice-maiden vibe about her - regal and stunning. But I promise you she is very approachable. Here are a few close-ups. 

Texture

Crushing on You

One last look!

What is a new pattern release without a giveaway?

Two random readers of this blogpost, who leave a comment (with their emails if they show up as Anonymous/No-Reply), will win a free PDF copy of this pattern. I will announce the winners on Saturday, April 6, 2024.

Winners Update - The winners are Jenny (#9) and Deb (#26). Emails have been sent

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

But wait there is more. Visit Emily's blog to see her version of Aurelia (Hint - it is pink). Who knows she may have a giveaway too. 

Nishat and Meteor Shower

Nishat was published in Annie's Bright & Colorful Quilts

Nishat

Designed in EQ8 and made using the Flutter Wings Collection, Nishat embodies the spirit of famous terrace gardens in Kashmir, India.

Flutter Wings Collection is available in quilt stores now.
I used Egg White (Island Batik Neutral) as background.  The binding is Fiery Orange. 

Everything ok here?

Spring has Sprung!

Nishat finished at 64" by 88" and I am very happy with it.

Swirling Spring

Published!!!

She walks in beauty

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Meteor Shower was published in Colorful Quilts for Kids.

Finished & Published

Meteor Shower is a layer cake friendly pattern and finishes at 51" by 59.5".  

Meteor Shower

I used the Island Batik Constellations Stack (10" squares) to make this quilt.  No background fabric required. The backing is Blurple :-D  I used my walking foot to quilt it. The binding is light gray solid.  

Labelled

Meteor Shower was instantly claimed by Joyce and I am happy that the quilt found a new home.

Grey Binding

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As promised I have completed my Purple Blocks for Rainbow Scrap Challenge. All scraps are Island Batik. It is great to be an ambassador :-)

Light Purple

Dark Purple

March blocks are done and I am wondering whether April will be Blue or Orange?

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties, including Angela's. See full list on the sidebar. 

Ambassador's Choice

In the land of Island Batik, March is Ambassador's Choice Month.  Mine is Lula May. 

EQ8 Design

Lula May

Designed in EQ8, and made with Island Batik's Celebrate Collection, Lula May finished at 62" by 82".

Love this collection!!!

I wanted to step away from square blocks. I designed a rectangular block measuring 12" by 16". The triangle in a square made the basis for the elongated star. The strip pieced alternate block combines the colors used in the stars, using the leftovers and tying the pattern together. 

Design Wall

Alternate Blocks

I used Aurifil Thread to piece (50 wt) and quilt (40 wt). The batting is Premium 80/20 Black Cotton/Poly Blend. I used a Microtex Schmetz 80/12 Needle for both piecing and quilting. Microtex needles are "sharp" needles which is an absolute must if you want the needle to pierce the tightly woven Batik fabric. 

Quilting in process

I used my favorite squiggle stitch with my walking foot to quilt Lula May. I added a skinny border to make sure that my binding did not eat up my star points. I chose a yellow binding for maximum contrast with the black background. 

My favorite - Model and Picture :-)

Paul - This looks like a Gay Jewish quilt.
Me: It kinda does.

Paul: Intentional?

Me: Nah, just happened.

Paul: I like it.

Me: Yup, she has pizzaz!

She walks in beauty...

Lula May was claimed by Ted, a former co-worker turned friend. 

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The Rainbow Scrap Challenge color for March is purple and I have gathered my geraniums, lilacs, irises and violets. All fabrics are Island Batik scraps. It is good to be an ambassador :-)

March = Purple

 

Looks like Mother Nature got the memo too.  I plucked these tiny blooms on my morning walk.

Grape Hyacinths

I am busy making my purple blocks. These yellow hexies will become the centers of the purple flowers. 

Flower Centers

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties, including Angela's. See full list on the sidebar. As always I'd love to hear from you!

Rainbow Parade - New Pattern, Bloghop & Giveaway

Spring is around the corner and I am ready to say goodbye to winter blues. Here is a new colorful quilt to get us in the mood for the new season. Meet Rainbow Parade.

Rainbow Colors

Made using Island Batik Blenders, Rainbow Parade finished at 57" by 70".

Basting

Light and Dark

The quilt uses eight colors (light and dark) for a total of 16 fabrics, plus the background.  

I am thrilled now that the pattern is published. 

The instructions are super simple and the detailed graphics ensure that it is a breeze even if you are a new quilter.

Yours Brightly

Is it Spring yet?

I am sure you would like to see this done a few different ways. And that brings me to my awesome pattern testers.

Ahead of the pattern release, Cathy, Bonnie, Frederique and Diptee agreed to test drive Rainbow Parade and they will be sharing their versions today. Please visit their blogs/social media  - for they have their separate giveaways. 

Love a Rainbow

The Rainbow Pattern is now available in my Etsy Store and it is on sale (20% off) till March 12, 2024.  I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

What is a pattern release without a giveaway? So, I have two prizes.

1. A PDF download of the Rainbow Parade Quilt Pattern (you can be anywhere in the world)

2. Fabrics to make your own Rainbow Parade Quilt (US readers only)

To be eligible, please leave me a comment on this blogpost. If you show up as Anonymous, please include your email, so that I can contact you. I will announce the winners on March 16, 2024.

Update - Astrid (#49) won the Rainbow Parade Quilt Pattern. Pat (#4) won the fabrics. Emails have been sent.