Sew Preeti Quilts: September 2024

I have two new quilts to share.

Austin was published in Make Modern #60.

Good Tidings was published in Annie's Christmas Pattern Book.

Good Tidings

Both quilts were made using Island Batik Fabrics collection Peppermint Sprinkles.

Peppermint Sprinkles is a beautiful collection - perfect for Holiday sewing. I love that it has elements of the season such as reindeer and snowflakes but it isn't so Christmassy that the quilt/decor becomes outdated by January 1. It has year round appeal.

That was my thought process as I designed Good Tidings in EQ8. A fellow quilter/blogger once said that "Artwork means that art is the result of work". Those who cannot see the process, may think that art/design just comes to us magically :-)

That is why I often document my progress, showing the steps and the rejects that led to the final design. For Good Tidings, I wanted to capture the cold snowy season (blues) which carries with it the promise of warmth (red).

First Attempt

My design was well-received but came with a request.

"Is there something other than red you could use – silvery blue? We’d like to see this with more of a winter feel."

Changing colors/fabrics in EQ8 is easy.

Revision #1 - All Blue

It was certainly wintry. It lacked the warmth. So I tried two more options.

Revision #2 - A touch of red

Revision #3 - Warm-hearted

Oh yes. This was it. Not only the design was approved, it perfectly conveyed the holiday theme. Come home to the warmth of the season.

I am so happy!

White Borders, Aqua Binding

Swirling & Whirling

I remember felling dizzy after that photoshoot. Time to lie down for a nap.

Oh yes!

Why yes, I sparkle!

Crushing on you!

And one last picture...

Thank you, Paul

The Peppermint Sprinkles collection is also an ideal choice for Quilts of Valor, which brings me to Austin.

Austin

I wanted a modern take on the Quilt of Valor theme. Using turquoise instead of traditional blue was one way of achieving that objective. A longitudinal design, instead of the usual square blocks, helped get me there. Long borders (only on the sides) and vertical quilting lines emphasize the design.

Walking Foot Quilting

Quilting with Variegated Thread

Labelled

Love you!

Many thanks to Island Batik, who provided the fabrics for both quilts. Hobbs provided the batting. Paul, the model/photographer, was well-compensated for his efforts. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar. As always, I welcome your thoughts.

Island Batik's September Challenge and Blog Hop theme is Adventurous Applique and is jointly sponsored by Aurifil Threads.

Here is my response.

Finished!

For this challenge we were to use our assigned Spring 2024 Bundles along with the matching threads provided by Aurifil.

I received Geometric Symphony designed by Jerry Khiev. This collection has beige, fuchsia and navy fabrics in bold geometric prints.

Geometric Symphony

Aurifil Threads

We knew about the theme of the challenge for months and I had come up with several possible ideas. But when I saw the fabric, I had to discard each one of them. The bold geometric designs did not lend themselves to my delicate applique dreams. The large prints would overpower any small bird, cute butterfly or a petite mushroom.

I had to redesign using a larger block that could do justice to the bold prints, while making sure it wasn't overpowered by the fabric itself.

EQ8 Mock up

The flower top and the stems are pieced, while the rounded part of the flower and the leaves are appliqued.

Pieced Elements

Semicircle Applique Added

I used the Orange Peel Accuquilt Die to make the leaves. Thank you, Emily for letting me borrow your die.

First Block

The background fabric is Glaze (Neutrals) and I used Dark Grey (Solid) for stems. Once the blocks were pieced, it was time to match threads.

Thread Matching

Basting

I quilted with my walking foot using my favorite squiggly stitch but instead of a a grid, all sewing lines are vertical, emphasizing the direction of the quilt. Trimmed, labelled and bound, it was time for the photo shoot. I was looking for dark pink flowers to match the colors of the collection.

A Bloomful Day

Bob and Blooms

Blooms in Blooms

Bloomtown finished at 52" by 56". I used 12/20 fabrics. The background, border, sashing and binding is Glaze. I used Schmetz 80/12 Microtex Needle for piecing and quilting. The batting is Thermore by Hobbbs.

The remaining eight fabrics, 1/2 yard each for a total of 4 yards can be yours. Please leave me a comment on this post, letting me know your favorite from the Island Batik Spring 2024 Collections. If you show up as Anonymous or No-Reply, please include your email so that I can reach you.

~~I will announce the winner on 9/24/24.~~

Giveaway Update - The winner is #35. Email sent.

If you don't want/need the fabric, you can still leave me a comment mentioning as much. I so appreciate your support :-)

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

Below is the complete list of Ambassadors, the collections they’ll feature in their projects, and their scheduled post dates: Make sure you visit the Island Batik blog for exciting giveaways.