The Island Batik February Challenge and Blog Hop is co-sponsored by Studio 180 Design who provided tools to all the ambassadors to make the table/bed runner.
So many droolworthy fabric collections and fabulous projects for inspiration! Here is the complete line-up.
WEEK 1
February 4:
February 5:
February 6:
November 7:
Blog Hop Round-Up Week 1 and Giveaway
WEEK 2
February 10:
February 11:
February 12:
February 13:
February 14:
Blog Hop Round-Up Week 2 and Giveaway
WEEK 3
February 17:
February 18:
February 19:
February 20:
February 21:
Blog Hop Round-Up Week 3 and Final Giveaway
WEEK 4
February 24:
February 25:
February 26:
End of Blog Hop + Final Round Up
Make sure to check the Island Batik blog every week for fabulous giveaways. There will be a contest for the best project.
I will post on 2/19/25. Here is a progress picture.
I completed my Blue Blocks for February's RSC. Sharing with Angela's Linky Party.
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| Blue Blocks for February |
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| Island Batik Scraps |
I am also working on my March project. It is Ambassador's Choice. I may even have a new pattern and a giveaway. Only one way to find out :-)
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| Work in Progress |
In April, we have to make a project using the Drunkard's Path Block. I borrowed the 3.5" Accuquilt Die and tried some practice blocks.
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| Fugly! |
It is not going well :-(
I will practice some more before I come up with Plan B.
Sew much to do! I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.
Fabulous batik collections! I love all your projects in progress, the runner is going to be beautiful with bright and lovely colors, love your pretty blue RSC blocks too. It looks like your March project is ready to be quilted, can't wait to see it finished! Have fun sewing curves the way that suits you, I love the colors you choose, it reminds me a mix of sun and night. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love the fabrics you have to use for your quilts. It takes a little while to learn how to do the Drunkard's Path really good but one can actually do it with just a couple pins and practice.
ReplyDeleteAmbassadors Choice is really pretty. Seems like the colors for this year’s Island Batik lines are prettier than ever.
ReplyDeleteI'm experimenting with making Drunkard's Path blocks look like pac man gobbling up dots. Not sure about the results but the cottons are from the 80s and 90s.
ReplyDeleteCurved piecing is a bear. You are wise to practice in advance. I find the best way to piece the Drunkard Path unit is to mark the curved seam allowance on the back side of each piece. I use finished size templates that I draw registration marks on. Then I put the templates on the fabric and mark the registration marks there. Pin starting at the center of the seam. Pin each registration mark. Then keep pinning between pins. Now sew. Oh yes, don't forget to clip the seams to help ease the curve.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your choice of yellow fabric to highlight the Island Batik fabric. Genius.
You've got some fun projects in the works. I've been avoiding any type of circular block, I'm challenged enough with straight seams! Good luck with your efforts.
ReplyDeleteI hate curved piecing and found online tutorials for easy shortcut ways to make the quarter circles. You sew a full circle with a tear-away backing, turn right-side-out, cut into quarters and applique to a background. You have to look really close to see the difference.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you'll be up to with Ambassadors ' Choice - always my favorite! But In the meantime I can look forward to your Radiant Burst on the 19th, and I'm hoping we get lots of info about the Drunken Path block. (I have a template that calls my name...)
ReplyDeleteI struggle to get smaller curves to look neat, too. That's why I try to stick with 6.5" curves or larger (as much as I love curves, I love them neat and tidy). I suppose I should challenge myself to get better at the small ones, too.
ReplyDeleteSmaller curves aren't impossible! Are you pinning at least on the ends and in the middle? Are you sewing with the smile side up? Keep trying. . I always love your projects!--TerryK@OnGoingProjects
ReplyDeleteYou got a lot worked on this week. Smaller blocks make tighter curves. I think mine is 4.5" and it isn't a problem getting it smooth. On the other hand, I haven't made one since last year and who knows how my curves would turn out now! I hope you are loving the Studio 180 Wing Clipper. I'm a big fan of their rulers and have way too many of them. But I do use them so I guess I can justify my collection!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I love your yellow/colorful Flying Geese! Wow! The white-on-white sashing in your blue blocks certainly help the blue to shine! Very pretty! Love that pattern!
ReplyDeleteYour Ambassadors Choice is also lovely. Love those bright colors! I started a Drunkards Path quilt. I found that I had to pin – a lot. A much more experienced quilter suggested using a basting stitch first. I do so appreciate you sharing your learning journey and the other sewists sharing tips. I’ve been reminded to be patient with myself. Thank you!
Okay, I have tips and tricks and even evil shortcuts for you with your curved piecing on those Drunkard's Path blocks. If you're just fed up with the curved piecing altogether and want to be rebellious about it, you can do it this way like I did for my Mission Impossible Quiltcon entry: https://www.rebeccagracequilting.com/2019/04/mission-impossible-how-to-machine.html. If you want to keep trying with those curves, I suggest lots of super-skinny pins like I used for my Drunken Dragons quilt Way Back When (when I could still thread a needle without wearing glasses!): https://www.rebeccagracequilting.com/2011/10/quilting-at-speed-of-natural-selection.html. Can't wait to see your new projects; I know they will be beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt must be so fun to be a Batik Ambassador!
ReplyDeleteI won't share any tips on curved piecing because it looks like the other commenters already have that covered. I will say that I agree with Yvonne that larger curves are easier. Love the collection you got and can't wait to see your runner. Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2025/02/12/wednesday-wait-loss-419
Those geese are so pretty. Great collection. I look forward to seeing your finish this week!
ReplyDeleteI can realate very welll to your drunkard's path blocks. I can never get my curves as they are supposed to be with templates. So I have opted to oversize and then trim them. It works for me... maybe you want to give that a go? xo
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