Welcome to my stop on the Island Batik + Accuquilt Irish Chain BlogHop.
Directive - Create a stunning quilt using the GO! Irish Chain Die from AccuQuilt!
Here is my response!
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| A Stunning Finish, as requested! |
But let's start at the beginning.
The Challenge
These fabrics should be available in stores in May 2025.
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| Fusion by Jerry Khiev for Swan Amity Studios |
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| Inspiration Board |
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| Accuquilt Die to make 10" Finished Irish Chain Block |
EQ8 Designs and so many of them.
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| Dull |
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| Meh |
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| Whatever |
I have always used the Irish Chain as an alternate block, not the focus block. Naturally, I was stumped. May be try using it as an alternate block...
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| Slightly Better (Alternate Stars) |
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| Maybe (Alternate Trees) |
When everything else fails, put the blocks on point.
Far from Stunning
It was time to think outside the BOB (Block on Board). The Accuquilt Irish Chain Die cuts these four shapes:
Shape B Square: 2 1/4"W x 2 1/4"H (5.7 cm x 5.7 cm),
Shape C Rectangle: 3 7/8"W x 2 1/4"H (9.8 cm x 5.7 cm),
Shape D Rectangle: 7 1/4"W x 2 1/4"H (18.4 cm x 5.7 cm).
Using these shapes, and keeping the overall size the same, can I come up with anything else? After some trial and error, I got here.
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| EQ8 Block, with Units A, B and C from the GO! Die |
And here is the mock-up.
Finally!!! I had a winner. It doesn't look like a traditional Irish Chain. Will I be scolded for not making a "Traditional" Irish Chain? But it was certainly Stunning :-)
First Block Cut
First Block Completed!
Full Steam Ahead!
Piecing in Progress
Secondary Design Emerging!
Basting
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| Cotton Batting from Hobbs |
Binding
I used Schmetz Microtex Needle 80/12 for both piecing and quilting. I used Aurifil 50 wt for piecing and 40 wt for quilting. The batting is Hobbs Natural Cotton with Scrim Binder. I used Oliso Iron to press seams open. The background, border and binding is made with Island Batik Neutral Meringue. I used 18 out of the 20 fabrics in the collection.
I used my Walking Foot to quilt squiggly lines, following the seams.
Lights, Cameras, Action! And lots of Wind!!!
You are a Beauty!
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| Best Model Ever! |
I really, really wanted a reflection shot, but neither the sun nor the water worked in my favor.
We tried
This was fun!
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| Where did you go? |
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| Yes, I have Tunnel Vision |
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| But you fascinate me... |
I am absolutely thrilled with this finish. I have named her Honi.
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| Pink Rectangles Kissing or Just Touching... |
Quilting Detail
Walking Foot Quilting
And one last look...
Could the Picnic Bench match any more perfectly?
I am in love with Honi and will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.
Visit Island Batik Blog for weekly giveaways and make sure to explore all the amazing creations on the Ambassadors’ blogs and join in on their additional giveaways for even more chances to win. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.
Here is the complete list of Ambassadors, the collections they’ll feature in their projects, and their scheduled post dates:
WEEK 1
May 5:
May 6:
May 7:
May 8:
- Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights
- Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts (You are here)
May 9:
Blog Hop Round-Up Week 1 and Giveaway
WEEK 2
May 12:
May 13:
May 14:
May 15:
May 16:
Blog Hop Round-Up Week 2 and Giveaway
WEEK 3
May 19:
May 20:
May 21:
May 22:
May 23:
End of Blog Hop + Final Round Up
In other news, I made some green blocks for the May Rainbow Scrap challenge, using Island Batik scraps. Here they are. Will be sharing with Angela's Linky party on Saturday.
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| Framed 4-patch Blocks, May RSC |
Turned out so great! Done off those alternatives are tempting too!
ReplyDeleteHoni is beautiful! I like the rectangles instead of squares. It's an Irish chain with a twist. This would be a good design for a magazine, happy stitching!
ReplyDeleteHoni is beautiful. I really enjoyed the progression of your design process. Stepping away from the traditional is what makes this design so special.
ReplyDeleteHoni turned out beautifully. It's always fun to see the design progression. That "aha" moment when you know you've got what you want is pretty addicting. I like your different take on the pattern, hopefully you didn't get scolded.
ReplyDeleteOkay, that is a stunner! Love that it's a one block design with a secondary pattern that emerges. It's never a bad thing to take a die and not make the block it's designed for. Die owners like me (although I don't have this one --- yet) love knowing that a particluar die has some versatility to make blocks beyond what it was designed for. I'd expect to see a design like this offered on the Accuquilt site as a "for purchase" or free pattern to feature the die.
ReplyDeleteHoni looks like an Indian design - really nice!!
ReplyDeleteHoni is stunning. I like how you laid all those pieces out and created something more no traditional - Inquiring minds tho - did you get scolded? haha
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is stunning. That is a beautiful line of fabric. I really enjoyed seeing your thought process. I actually liked a number of your rejects; Irish Chain is one of my favorites. But...I also think that it's important to show the versatility of the die and you nailed it.
ReplyDeleteWow more great colors and ideas ty for sharing....
ReplyDeleteI love the design and beautiful fabrics
ReplyDeleteClever girl! Turn you loose with your favorite colors and I know it will be a show stopper! It is good to see the AccuQuilt dies used for more than one pattern. Good job.
ReplyDeleteGreat quilt, Preeti! You created a lot of patterns from which to choose! EQ8 is great and Fusion is such a beautiful collection.
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing your choices and the final choice is stunning! The rectangle shapes are unique and make the colors dance! Thanks for the inspiration and eye candy that you always provide, and for your entertaining blog posts!
ReplyDeleteLove how this turned out might have to save up and buy this die.
ReplyDeleteHoni is beautiful! I love your creative use of the Irish Chain BOB. Definitely stunning.
ReplyDeleteHoni is gorgeous! Thank you for sharing all of your options! --TerryK@OnGoingProjects
ReplyDeleteHi Preeti, what a stunning finish. I would say that you succeeded! Thanks for linking up to Free Motion Mavericks
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning new quilt, I love this alternate way to make Irish Chain, original and perfect! Beautiful fabric collection too. Lovethe story behind the name, and how the rectangles are just touching ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this beauty well photographied, and linking up.
You won't be scolded by me. I am sucker for anything that tweaks the expected. Your blocks and resulting quilt are graphically strong and easy for even a novice quilter to pull off.
ReplyDeleteIt really is stunning. I certainly hope that you don't get in trouble... I mean, you used all of the components from the die! Thanks for sharing in Sew & Tell.
ReplyDeleteLove reading your process to Honi. You really shared a lot that could be done with the die. Great job. Honi is a winner.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic use of this die! The main criticism I hear about AccuQuilt BOB dies is that it’s a lot of money to spend on a die that only makes one kind of quilt, but you’ve shown that there are lots of completely different quilts that can be made with the Irish Chain BOB. And Honi is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAn absolutely beautiful finish! I especially like the idea of the one with the little trees
ReplyDelete