Sweet Dreams

In summer I dream of a chilly breeze. 
In winter I dream of a fire. 
At land I yearn for the stormy seas. 
Once there it is dry land that I desire.

It is no surprise that I made an Autumn Quilt in Spring :-) Meet Sweet Dreams.

Autumn in Spring

Island Batik's June Challenge Requirements/Guidelines are as follows:

• Project Type: Quilt for Quilts Across America
• Size: between 50” to 60” wide and 75” to 90” long. 
• Fabric: Any, in colors that appeal to children aged 2-17.
• Work with any size unit that you want, you can also use more than one unit size in the project.
• Must use at least 30 units total, made with the Studio 180 Design tool you received.

I received the Corner Beam Ruler.

Corner Beam Units

I used four colors - Orange, Green, Red and Purple - in light, medium, dark and very dark to make the Autumn Leaf Block.

10" Leaf Block

I love the gentle gradation of values going from light in the tip to very dark in the base of the leaf. 

In Orange

The leaf stem is made from Eucalyptus (now discontinued Island Batik Basic).  The background is Egg White. I used Schmetz Microtex 80/12 Needle for piecing.

I  made a total of 24 Leaf Blocks, arranged four across by six down.  

Design Wall

The sashing is 2" and the border finishes at 3".

Basting

The batting is Hobbs Premium Cotton. I used Schmetz Microtex 80/12 Needle for Quilting, using my walking foot in a 2" grid with my favorite squiggly stitch.

Quilting Detail

The Binding is a Green Vine fabric left over from the Wild Blooms collection. 

In the picture below, I am standing on a picnic table, with the Potomac in the background, while Paul took the perfect shot. Can you see the river to the right?

Finished Quilt - 52" by 76"

Since the quilt used only 24 Corner Beam units, when we were directed to make at least 30, I considered adding a fancy border.  But that would take away from the simple beauty of the quilt.

I wanted to follow the rules/guidelines but sometimes that is at loggerheads with design considerations. 

What could I do? The shape of the Corner Beam unit is similar to a candle/lamp flame.

So I made a Zippered Pouch. It used four Corner Beam units, bringing the number up to 28. I know it is not the required 30, but that is close enough!

Appliquéd Corner Beam and Semicircle Units

Instead of piecing the units, I appliquéd them using an invisible thread. I used Red, Green and Orange (for the lamps) but not Purple because it would not have a good contrast against the Solid Black background.

Diwali Themed Zippered Pouch

There are design decisions at every stage. Do you approve of mine? Please let me know. 

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties, including Quilting Jetgirl's Favorite Finish. See full list on the sidebar.

In other news, Angela has announced that June will be Blue. Here are my Island Batik Blues ready to become Hexie Blocks. 

All the Blues - Light, Medium and Dark

We will be receiving our second Ambassador Boxes in July. 

I need to arrange, consolidate and make room for new supplies. Would you be interested in Island Batik fabric scraps? 

No pressure :-D But I'd love to know.

Smiles and Sniffles

It is a busy time in the Sew Preeti Quilts studio but cannot show anything much yet. So here is a catch up post. Hope you are handling the heat well so far. It is only going to get worse :-(

All Island Batik ambassadors were invited to become affiliates for the Missouri Star Quilt Company, and I was accepted :-) 

This means that if you order over $50 from Missouri Star, you will get 20% off your order and I will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!

Here is what I got.

Steam a Seam 2 Stabilizer and Rotary Blades

Later this year, we have to make an Applique project and Steam-A-Seam 2 works best for me. 

Rotating Mat

I like that this rotating mat has 1/4" markings.

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Rainbow Scrap Challenge - I have completed all my Pink blocks for May. All fabric scraps came from Island Batik :-)

Light Pink

Dark Pink

June is Blue, said Angela. I am gathering all my Island Batik blue scraps.

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June Challenge - Island Batik June Challenge is sponsored by Studio 180 Designs. We are required to create a fun, simple quilt that falls in the size range for donation to Sleep in Heavenly Peace (50" to 60" wide, 75" to 90" long) using a tool that we received in your January box!

I received the Corner Beam Ruler. 

I am making a scrappy quilt and I will be sharing with you next week. Stay tuned. Here is a sneak peek.

Corner Beam Blocks in process

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The Etsy Shop Sale ends on May 31, 2024.  All patterns are 25% off.

New pattern coming next month.

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I rarely give book/movie recommendations. This one is worth it!

Laapataa Ladies is an Indian movie set in rural India in the year 2001. It is wedding season and several newly-weds are on their way home in a crowded train, to begin a new life with their new partners. Two brides, similarly attired, their faces covered with red veils are mistakenly interchanged. Finding their way home, they discover more than they ever expected. 

I have watched it thrice. I smiled, laughed and cried every time.  

What is making you smile today? Are you feeling sniffly? I'd love to know.

Island Batik 2024 - Unboxing 1

I am excited that I made the cut for 2024. I am one of the 26 brand ambassadors selected by Island Batik. This is where I show off my newest fabrics and supplies generously provided by Island Batik and other industry partners include Schmetz Needles, Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Designs, Hobbs Batting, Oliso Smart Iron and Funky Friends Factory.

Here is the Unboxing Video.

Here are the supplies.

Breezy by Kate Colleran Designs

In February, I will be using this half yard bundle of Breezy (Original Collection by Kate Colleran) to make the Log Cabin Lap/Throw size quilt.  In the video, I show the unopened bundle but you have to get close to see these beautiful colors.

Fabrics from the Breezy collection

The matching yardage in deep purple and palest pink is so pretty :-)

Two yards each of Leaf Pile-Purple and Tea Rose (Precious Pinks)

The Log Cabin challenge and Blog Hop will have prizes and giveaways. Make sure to revisit in February.

Thanks to a generous supply of Solid Neutrals in Black, White and Light Grey, we always have plenty of background options. They also make perfect backings. 

Island Batik Solids - Black, Light Grey and White

My box also included six yards of Platinum - a light grey perfect for background and backings.

Island Batik Neutral - Platinum

I also received 12 half yard cuts from Island Batik Foundations. These include four solids, four basics and four blenders. Island Batik Foundations are available all year round. 

Island Batik Foundations - Blenders, Basics & Solids

Stash Builders are a set of 5" wide strips, 20 per pack. They are the perfect resource to make a scrappy quilt and easily lend themselves into 2.5" strips, 5" squares and more.

Stash Builders - 5" strips, 20 per pack

My box came with two precuts from the Island Batik Basics regrouped into the Gradations - Brilliant Blues and Tantalizing Teals. 

Brilliant Blues - 10" Squares

Tantalizing Teals - 2.5" Strips

I received a pack of 10" squares of the Prisms Collection. Prisms is a signature collection designed by Kathy Engle for Claudia Porter. It comes with matching yardage, two yards each of Champagne (Island Batik Neutral) and a Dark Green Blender (BE31-G1).

Winter 2023 Prisms - Signature Collection by Kathy Engle for Claudia Porter

My box also included a 2.5" Strip Set of Monarch Collection, designed by Kathy Engle. It came with matching yardage, two yards each of Buttermilk (Island Batik Neutral) and Red Blender (BE29-B1)

Fall 2023 Monarch designed by Kathy Engle

From Schmetz Needles, I received a set of needles and a handy luggage tag showing a graphic
of needle types.

Needles for Piecing, Quilting, Costume, and Vinyl

Oliso, a new industry partner, generously provided a smart iron to each of the ambassadors. Mine is yellow :-)

From our industry partners at Studio 180 designs, I received a Corner Beam Ruler. I will be using this ruler to make a quilt for the May project - Create for a Cause. 

Studio 180 Designs - Corner Beam Ruler

I received two batts of throw size Cotton-Wool Blend batting from the Tuscany Collection by Hobbs Batting.

Hobbs Tuscany Collection - Throw Size Cotton Wool Blend Batting

Hobbs will be sending more batting in the coming months. We will also receive threads from Aurifil and I will be sure to show you when I do.

We will be making a toy in April, using a design of our choice. The pattern is generously provided byFunky Friends Factory. I will be making the Dachshund dog :-)

I will be sharing the February Island Batik Challenge and BlogHop Project on February 6, 2024. Hope you will revisit. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar. 

Disclosure: The fabrics are provided by Island Batik. 

The batting is provided by Hobbs.

The needles are provided by Schmetz Needles.

The Corner Beam Ruler is provided by Studio 180 Design.

The smart iron is provided by Oliso.

The toy pattern is provided by Funky Friends factory