Sulaxi -Timeless Traditions Blog Hop

Meet Sulaxi.

Thank you, Paul!

Sulaxi is my response to the Island Batik Timeless Traditions Challenge and Blog Hop.  This challenge requires us to make a Lap (or larger) Quilt using the assigned Summer 2025 collection with the following stipulation.

Use any or all of the following classic, traditional blocks! Use a minimum of 5 different blocks in your quilt in any combination and size of the blocks. 

1. Four Patch Quilt Block 
2. Nine Patch Quilt Block
3. Half Square Triangle Block
4. Quarter Square Triangle Block
5. Friendship Star Block
6. Flying Geese Quilt Block
7. Variable Star Quilt Block
8. Ohio Star Quilt Block
9. Nine Patch Chain Quilt Block
10. Pinwheel Mosaic Quilt Block

I received the collection Butterfly Ballet designed by Kathy Engle.

As usual I turned to EQ8. Several designs were made and discarded.  Here is the final choice.

EQ8 Mock-up

This design uses the following five blocks.

1. Four Patch Block 
2. Nine Patch Block
3. Half Square Triangle Block
4. Quarter Square Triangle Block
5. Flying Geese Block

Four Patch Blocks

Quarter Square Triangles

Flying Goose Blocks

Nine Patch Block

Blocks on the Design Wall

I forgot to take a picture of the half square triangle blocks. Can you locate them in the flimsy below?

Basting

The Quarter Star Triangles also make the Ohio Star Quilt Block in the center and the Half Square Triangles are used in the corners that form the Variable Star Quilt Block. 

One could argue that I used 7 out of 10 prescribed blocks. But it is not about arguments. It is about the design and overall cohesion and Sulaxi is brimming with it :-D

The batting is Hobbs Tuscany Cotton Wool Blend in Throw Size (60" by 60").  

Marked for Quilting

Sulaxi finished at 50" square. I am loving her bright fall colors and the festive vibes of a Diwali celebration.

Sulaxi

I used Island Batik Meringue for background. I used 80/12 Microtex Schmetz Needle for both piecing and quilting.

Shimmer by the River

Thanks to Schmetz Needles,  Oliso and Hobbs Batting.

Thanks to Lumin Fabrics/Island Batik for this collection and foundation fabrics. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

Below is the full line-up of the Ambassadors, the collections they’ll feature, and their post dates. Mark your calendar and get ready to be inspired!

WEEK 1

November 3: 

Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs

Susan Deshensky, Lady Blue Quilt Studio

November 4: 

Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts (You are here ALREADY!!!)

November 5: 

Brittany Fisher, Bobbin with Brittany

Denise Looney, Quiltery

November 6: 

Renee Atkinson, Pink Tulip Quilting

Suzy Webster, Websterquilt

WEEK 2

November 10: 

Kimberly Flannagan, Kimberly's Quilts

Solomae Stoycoff, Cuddle Cat Quiltworks

November 11: 

Connie Kresin Campbell, Freemotion by the River

Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail

November 12: 

Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations

Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights

November 13: 

Carol Stanek, Stitch with Color

Sarah Pitcher, Pitcher's Boutique

WEEK 3

November 17: 

Lisa Pickering, Lisa's Quilting Passion

November 18: 

Connie Kauffman, Kauffman Designs

November 19: 

Mania Hatziioannidi, Mania for Quilts

Tina Dillard, Quilting Affection Designs

November 20: 

Kim Jamieson-Hirst, Chatterbox Quilts

Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood

We’ll launch the first two projects of the Island Batik Timeless Traditions Blog Hop next Monday, but the first week’s giveaway starts now! We put aside two Fat Quarter bundles of the Enchanted Flutter and Cherry Blossom collections that will be featured next week!

All you need to do is visit this post on Instagram and/or this post on Facebook and answer a simple question in the comments: Has a tradition ever inspired something you’ve made - a quilt, a gift, or a handmade project? (We’d love to hear how traditions influence your creativity.)

This giveaway ends on November 8th! Winners will be notified in comments the following day — please check your notifications on November 9th!

Miracle Fish

Welcome to my stop on the Sunlit Garden Blog Hop. 

I was thrilled when Jennifer Thomas of Curlicue Creations asked whether I would like to join the Sunlit Garden BlogHop.  Of course, I said YES!

Here is my quilt, named Miracle Fish!

Miracle Fish, 60" by 60"

The red and green together is evocative of Christmas, but this collection has vibes of Spring with floral reds and leafy greens. Christmas made me think of Christ and Christ made me think of Fish.

 

EQ8 Mock-Up

Me: What does that Jesus in Fish symbol signify?
Paul: Jesus was the fisher of men.
Me: That sounds painful. No fish wants to be fished or hooked. I thought it is because He multiplied fish to feed people.
Paul: That could be too.
Me: Wasn't He the shepherd? Guiding humanity?
Paul: That He was. Jesus was many things.
Me: That I agree.

This fabric collection can be many things too - bright Spring vibes or Christmas vibes. Many possibilities.

Starting 

Making

The flimsy was just under 60" square. So I used the 60" square Hobbs Silk Blend Batting. 

Silk Blend Batting from Hobbs Tuscany Collection

I quilted in one direction using my walking foot. I used Turquoise Variegated Thread to mimic water.

Quilting Detail

I used 12 out of the 20 fabrics in the collection. The background is Island Batik Solid White, as is the binding. I used Dark Green backing and here are some close-up pictures.

Wavy Stitch Quilting

Labelled

I enjoyed making this quilt.  Why am I calling it Miracle Fish? 

Well, if fish can climb a tree, that is miraculous!

Fish climb a tree

Paul and I went to a children's playground one early morning to take these pictures. The playground furniture provided several fun settings for the photoshoot. The cloudy sky provided the diffused lighting.

Playfully Yours

Matching Tulips!

Cloudy Skies, low temperatures and high winds make for a bitterly cold season. How I wish for a Miracle? Sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

The Sunlit Garden blog Hop continues through March 9, 2025.  Here's the list so you can visit all the blogs this week:

March 3:  Curlicue Creations 

March 4:  Freemotion by the River

March 5:  Sew Preeti Quilts (you are here)

March 6:  Quilting Gail

March 7:  Kathy's Kwilts and More

March 8:  Quilted Delights

March 9:  Sew Cute and Quirky

Also gathered my yellow scraps to play along with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC) in March. 

Will share with Angela's Linky Party.

Island Batik Yellow Scraps

Nilsa - New Quilt Pattern & Sale

Meet Nilsa. She is my newest finish and a pattern is available now.

At 60" by 83", Nilsa can be a Mercyful Quilt. The pattern can also be used to make a Quilt of Valor.

Nilsa, 60" by 83"

I used the Island Batik collection - Blushing Garden to make Nilsa. 

Have you seen Blushing Garden? It is a beautiful collection with my favorite colors - red, pink and gold. Even a bit of teal to brighten things up. They are beautiful and sunny!

Nilsa Quilt Pattern is now listed in my Etsy Store. 

It is Layer-Cake Friendly. If you have been just petting a layer cake for a while because there wasn't a suitable pattern for it, this is your chance. All you need is about 4 1/4 yards of background fabric. That will take care of all the background, borders and binding. 

Here I go again!

If you wish to use Blushing Garden, you are in luck. It is available in stores right now.  For background, I recommend Egg White from the Island Batik Foundations.

If you'd rather use fabrics from your stash, that works perfectly too. 

The Signature Shot!

Nilsa Quilt Pattern has eight pages of detailed instructions complete with colored graphics, and a full-page Coloring Sheet.  I have also provided step-by-step guidance for on-point setting, showing diagonal columns and how to attach setting triangles.

Love these colors!

Finally, the pattern is 25% off from Monday, 11/20/23 through Sunday, 11/26/23. 

Separately, there will be a storewide sale beginning on Thanksgiving, 11/23/23. 

But wait, there is more. For a chance to win a free copy of Nilsa PDF Pattern (or any pattern of your choice from my Etsy Shop), please let me know in the comments - what is your favorite Thanksgiving side dish? If you are Anonymous or No-Reply, please include your email.

I will pick one lucky winner on Monday, 11/27/23.   

UPDATE - The two lucky winners are Elana and Frederique. Emails have been sent.

Till then, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

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

A Quilt for Eva

I met Eva for the first time about two years ago.  She is married to Bill who started out as a co-worker but ended up being a friend.  Since his retirement, they live in New Jersey.

On the Design Wall

Eva and I connected over our love of spicy food and gold jewelry.  When I showed her the first of the International Sister Quilt Blocks, her response was immediate. She loved them.

Setting Triangles

This was the first year I participated in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge and the International Sister Quilt Block was a perfect block for the purpose.

Piecing the Sisters

After 10 months of block-making I had enough blocks for making two quilts. Of course, I would give one to Eva and make the other for display in the Quilt Show (Quilters Unlimited) in summer of 2020.
The plan was to piece and quilt them over the Christmas break.

32 Sisters

So colorful

If you want God to smile, tell him your plans.

On November 19th, I received the news that Eva had a stroke and that she was in a rehab facility. And I knew that I had to drop everything to complete her quilt. Because she needs it now.

Kristi with Completed Flimsy

Walking Foot Quilting

Christmas inspired backing

The backing was pieced with a Christmas inspired backing and green floral fabrics.
I chose a yellow striped fabric for the binding.

Binding in process

Eva's quilt finished at 57" by 72".

But there was a small problem.
One sister's headdress almost blended/merged with the background so much so that it looked like that a part of her head was missing - at least from a distance.

No, I did not notice it before quilting

BEFORE - Not enough contrast (see left side of the headdress)

I had to think outside the sewing box.  Fortunately, orange fabric marker provided the ideal solution.
I started using the marker on the headdress and then realized that I should take a before picture.

Permanent Fabric Markers

Here is what it looked like after it was touched up.

 

AFTER - Light Orange Headdress

I love the fact that the marker-enhanced print is absolutely perfect and no one would know unless I told them. Of course I am telling you because this is totally worth sharing with my quilty sisters.

Completed

I even found a young model to show it off.

Christmas is in the air

The completed quilt was delivered to Eva the day after Thanksgiving. She was overwhelmed to receive the quilt and I felt overcome to see her.

Sisters in the Sunshine

Love each one

Pieced Backing

Labelled

Delivered

The quilt waits for Eva on her bed in the rehab center where she will stay for the next several weeks.

Quilt for Eva

I just want God to smile kindly on Eva and help her make a complete recovery.
And if she ever feels tired or disheartened in her journey, she has 32 sisters cheering her on.

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties including Sandra's Dreami.  As usual, I'd love to hear from you.

_____________________________________________________________________

Remember the baby-maker quilt?  This is the baby that the baby-maker made.  I met him for the first time on Thanksgiving day.

I am still tickled to think (believe) that I made the quilt that made this baby - the cutest baby ever!!!