Monday, September 15, 2025

Nirali

Meet Nirali!

Nirali


Here is the story or TWO WEEKS AGO (imagine you are watching a thriller on Netflix).

Co-sponsored by Aurifil Threads, Island Batik's September Challenge is named Threaded Chaos, requiring us to make a crib-size (or larger) Crazy Quilt, using our assigned Spring 2025 Collection and Aurifil Threads.


When I made a Crazy Quilt the last time, we were not assigned a fabric collection. I chose solids so that the decorative stitching was better visible.  This time, the fabric and threads were not up to us.

I received the Everlasting Collection, designed by Jerry Khiev.

Everlasting Collection - Selected Fabrics


Aurifil Threads - One 50wt, Three 40wt


I added some more Aurifil Threads from my stash. 

40wt Quilting Threads

Back to the problem - Crazy Quilt. Since what (primarily) defines a Crazy Quilt is decorative stitching it is important that the decorative stitching is prominent. 

I chose the stack and whack technique to make the blocks with two important rules
1. Use background fabric in each stack. This would allow the focus fabric to shine and also provide a blank canvas for the the decorative stitching to be more visible.
2. Add a strip of contrasting fabric when re-piecing the whacked units. This strip would be like a red carpet for the decorative stitch divas to parade on.


Adding contrast skinny strip

Almost Block

I patiently made all the blocks. Then I added the decorative stitches - one block and one thread color at a time. The blocks finished at 7" by 12".

Light Thread on Dark Fabrics


Dark Thread on Light Fabrics

I used Meringue as the background fabric. All decorative stitches were made using my Elna Excellence 730 Pro. Of course, some stitches worked better than others.  

I used Schmetz Microtex 80/12 Needle for piecing and quilting. The batting is Hobbs Poly Down. I quilted in one direction only, using wavy stitches. The backing is Doughnut. The binding is Pistachio.

Here is the finished quilt, measuring 42" by 48". I named her Nirali, meaning unique.

Beauty in the Backyard


Thank you, Paul


Here are some close-ups so that you can see the decorative stitching.

Peachy



Hot Pink



Green and Glowing



Too much? 


Just Crazy Enough?


Labeled



My Lovely :-)


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

Giveaway - If you'd like to win some free fabric (Island Batik of course), please leave me a comment on this post. I will pick two winners next week. 



Thanks to Aurifil for sponsoring this Threaded Chaos Challenge.
Thanks to Schmetz Needles,  Oliso and Hobbs Batting.
Thanks to Lumin Fabrics/Island Batik for this collection and foundation fabrics.

Follow Island Batik's Instagram and Facebook page so you may be picked as the winner for the drawing this week or the following weeks (during this blog hop). You need to comment on their instagram and facebook, to be entered into the giveaway.

WEEK 1

September 8: 

Brenda Alburl Aurora


September 9: 

Sarah Pitcher Berry Crush

Solomae Stoycoff Berry Crush


September 10: 

Lisa Pickering Colorburst

Renee Atkinson Colorburst


September 11: 

Connie Campbell         Earth Essence


September 12: 

(Island Batik posts: Blog Hop Week 1 Round Up + giveaway)


WEEK 2


September 15

Jennifer Thomas Everlasting

Preeti Harris Everlasting - YOU ARE HERE


September 16: 

Gail Sheppard Fossil Finesse

Susan Deshensky Fossil Finesse


September 17: 

Denise Looney Frosted Foliage

Kimberly Flannagan Frosted Foliage


September 18: 

Mania Hatziioannidi Garden Glory

Tina Dillard Garden Glory


September 19: (Island Batik posts: Blog Hop Week 2 Round Up + giveaway)



WEEK 3


September 22: 

Kim Jamieson-Hirst Geode Glow

Carol Stanek Geode Glow


September 23: 

Brittany Fisher Quiet Charm


September 24: 

Suzy Webster Stone Strata

Leah Malasky Stone Strata


September 25: 

Connie Kauffman Sunset

Emily Leachman Sunset


September 26:

(Island Batik: End of Blog Hop + Final Round Up)




43 comments:

  1. I like all the decorative stitches. Paul was a great holder. 24Tangent@gmail.com

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  2. I like how the colors pop in the blocks. petuniakr@aol.com

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  3. A very elegant crazy quilt. The decorative stitches all look so delicate. Beautifully done.

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  4. Lovely Crazy Quilting--to my mind-it can't be too much with crazy quilting...;))) Hugs, Julierose

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  5. It looks very beautiful Preeti. I love all of the stitching. They show off the beautiful fabrics.

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  6. Your quilt is beautiful, Preeti. I think you also got to use the prettiest fabric line. Everlasting is GORGEOUS and you spotlighted the colors perfectly.

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  7. Beautiful quilt!! Your idea to add that narrow strip - genius!!

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  8. Nirali is beautiful, Preeti! You couldn't go wrong with that gorgeous collection of fabric. Fun to see how you put it all together, too!

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  9. Controlled crazy, I love this, especially the peachy toned fabrics really sing. Your machine stitches out the decorative stitches beautifully.

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  10. I gotta say, this is one of mt favorite quilts that you’ve made! I can’t pin point what that is…maybe the contrast or the decorative stitching or it could be the tiny slashing strips for accents. Probably a combination of the three, but it works!

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  11. I love how you did this crazy quilt. And what a great way to use a variety of machine stitches. (Don't count my name on the give away -- I have way too much fabric at this point! Someone else would love to have these beautiful Island Batiks.)

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  12. What a fun, thoroughly modern take on a crazy quilt! Great job.

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  13. You did a beautiful job on your quilt. It was a great variation!

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  14. I love your take on the crazy quilt! The colors are very you, and are stunning. I never thought a crazy quilt could look so modern.

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  15. I love this quilt - it shows up the decorative stitching so well!

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  16. I really like the fabric you added to make these colors just shine. And your decorative stitches are great accents. Quilting is adds movement. Great quilt Preeti!

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  17. Nice modern crazy quilt. I love the colors.
    Susan
    14themoney@duck.com

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  18. Love the decorative stitches! This reminds me, I need to try out all the ones my machine has.

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  19. Love the colors in this line. We should all use our decorative stitches more.

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  20. Brilliant to rein in the crazy on your crazy quilt with your 2 rules. Very pretty and still cohesive. basaran (dot) family (at) rogers (dot) com

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  21. It's lovely, like a dish of watermelon chunks!

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  22. Very Pretty! The decorative stitches make the quilt pop! Well done! darlsc@gmail.com

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  23. What a great plan you executed! I like how you met the challenge and the decorative stitching provides great interest!--TerryK@OnGoingProjects

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  24. charlotta58@gmail.com here - I’m not generally a fan of crazy quilts, but yours is beautiful. It might also be the first I’ve seen using only machine stitches. Finally(?) a chance to use all the stitches on the machine; I’ve always wondered why there are so many! LOL

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  25. That was quite a design challenge! You met it very well.

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  26. Such a great use of the pretty fabrics and decorative stitches. I see watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew melon chunks!

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  27. It is a beautiful quilt. Several years ago a friend wanted me to quilt a vintage crazy quilt. As I researched crazy quilts, the embroidery was to be showcased, but the blocks were backed with flannel and then joined together. I was encouraged to leave it as it was by "experts". In the end, I did sandwich and quilt it with a grid on point all over. It was what the customer wanted. And I reminded myself that there are no real quilt police. ;)

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  28. My first thought: watermelon. And the watermelon days are running out. Good job.

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  29. Your Crazy Quilt is beautiful! I love the addition of the contrast strips to highlight the decorative stitching.

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  30. This is such a refreshing quilt--shout out to the poster above who referenced watermelons. So many crazy quilts feel very "close", as they did historically. Your use of the bright, light background fabric gives this pretty quilt so much space. Something for me to remember.

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  31. Preeti, I've been watching your quilts on Make Modern and here with Island Batiks. Your imagination and work are so inspiring.

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  32. I love your quilt! Such a fun design and perfect name for it!

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  33. Outstanding! A modern quilt with a vintage vibe. The decorative stitching really makes it stand out.

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  34. Jerry's collection is gorgeous! It must have inspired you because Nirali is lovely. Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss. https://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2025/09/17/wednesday-wait-loss-450

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  35. Your blocks are dancing! And wearing such fine stitchery! I love it! The name is great too.

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  36. I don't know how you do it, Preeti. Stare at the fabric until shapes appear? Wonderful design, and a great name.

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  37. I'm with Nana. . .I don't know how you create winner after winner. This is a spectacular finish!--TerryK@OnGoingProjects

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  38. I absolutely love the colours you used. The stitches are wonderful and since many of us don't use the decorative stitches on our machines often, this is a great excuse to try them all out.

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  39. Your crazy quilt is gorgeous! It looks like you had a lot of fun picking the various machine embroidery stitches ;) They show beautifully and it's fun to watch closely for them. I had to look twice to check that your signature quilting was here, as the wavvy lines have a totally different look here! Another lovely quilt, Nirali is truly unique!

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  40. This is such a great modern take on a crazy quilt … it should be in “Make Modern! Love this … and love all these batiks! Candy (canbecan(at)icloud(dot)com)

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