July is the time when the Island Batik Ambassadors celebrate Christmas! We have just received our second shipment of supplies and they did not disappoint.
It is all about the supplies. I am losing my looks and the fabric gets prettier every year :-D
The Bounty
In September, we will be making a Crazy Quilt. I will be using the Everlasting Collection designed by Jerry Khiev. This collection will be in stores in September 2025.
Everlasting Collection
Dark & Light Yardage to Match
Of course, we need threads to make a Crazy Quilt. Aurifil supplied the following four spools - one for piecing (50wt) and three for quilting (40 wt).
Aurifil Threads to match Everlasting Collection
We received a generous supply of precuts.
Playful Purples (10" Squares) and Brilliant Blues (2.5" Strips)
Colorburst by Jerry Khiev for Heidi Pridemore, 10" Squares
Ceramic & Cherry Yardage
As always we received a 6 yards of Neutral and 4 yards each of Black, White and Gray.
6 yards of Buttermilk
Black, White and Gray
If we want to make a scrappy quilt, there are stash builders to help us out.
Stash Builders - 5" by WOF strips
We also received 12 half-yard cuts from Island Batik Foundations. These are available all year round and match perfectly with seasonal collections.
Island Batik Foundations - Blenders, Basics & Solids
I will be using the following fabrics in October to make the bag. The Yellow id from Island Batik Blenders. The remaining three fabrics are from the Garden Glory collection designed by Claudia Pfeil.
Fabrics from the Garden Glory Collection
We received a generous supply of batting from Hobbs Batting. Queen sized Premium Polyester, 80/20 Bleached Cotton, and Cotton Fusible.
Queen Size Batts from Hobbs Batting
Tuscany Collection Batting from Hobbs
We have yet to receive the Summer Precut and the bag pattern from ByAnnie.com. I have selected Leader of the Pack. I will share when I get them.
Thank you so much for voting for Honi. She won the Viewers Choice Award. I chose fabrics from the Fossil Finesse Collection.
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!
A Stunning Finish, as requested!
But let's start at the beginning.
The Challenge
These fabrics should be available in stores in May 2025.
Fusion by Jerry Khiev for Swan Amity Studios
Inspiration Board
Accuquilt Die to make 10" Finished Irish Chain Block
EQ8 Designs and so many of them.
Dull
Meh
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...
Slightly Better (Alternate Stars)
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 A Square: 3 7/8"W x 3 7/8"H (9.8 cm x 9.8 cm), 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.
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
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!
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!
Where did you go?
Yes, I have Tunnel Vision
But you fascinate me...
I am absolutely thrilled with this finish. I have named her Honi.
Honi (pronounced HO – nee) is the traditional Hawaiian greeting. The English translation is “to kiss”, but actually, the original greeting was touching forehead to forehead, nose to nose and exchanging breath.
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, including Yvonne's Favorite Finish for May. 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:
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.
