Island Batik Triangle Tricks Challenge

I am not sure how/why the name came to me.  I guess it takes three to make a band (two is just a pair/duo), just like you need three sides to make a triangle. The colors are definitely boyish. It fits and so it sticks.  

Meet Boy Band.

Boy Band

The Island Batik challenge for May is simple - get out of your comfort zone (working with squares and rectangles) and work with triangles.

I could have used HSTs or even HRTs because there is no dearth of ideas. But staying true to the challenge, I pieced triangles. 

Design wall is a must

Piecing rows

I used blue, green, aqua and purple fabrics from stash builders.  I used Aurifil thread for piecing (50 wt) and quilting (40 wt). Schmetz Needles are my favorite - always. I used Microtex 80/12 for piecing and 90/14 for quilting.

Basted

40 wt Aurifil Thread for Quilting

Boy Band finished at 37" by 46", perfect for a baby boy.  I used Hobbs 80/20 Cotton-Polyester bleached batting. Walking Foot quilting and scrappy pieced binding. 

Thank you, Paul!

Blue & Greens

Hello handsome!

Yummy Fabrics

This completes the May challenge :-)

I can close this door and move on to the next.

But I cannot shut the door on those who are facing new challenges and fighting old battles anew.

Framed Triangles

Last year, a record 26 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were enacted into law across ten states. In 2022, at least 320 anti-LGBTQ+ bills are already pending in state legislatures. Lawmakers in statehouses nationwide are seeking to ban transgender youth from participating in sports; criminalize medically necessary, life-saving healthcare for transgender youth; and ban discussion of LGBTQ+ youth and families in classrooms. 

Laws that would affect access to medical care for transgender people, parental rights, social and family services, student sports, or access to public facilities such as restrooms, unnecessarily and uncharitably single out already marginalized groups for additional disadvantage. They seek to put the authority of state government behind discrimination and promote mistreatment of a targeted LBGTQ population.

Adding background

These laws may have no direct impacts on you and me. But they do affect our communities, our workplaces and our country. That is exactly why more than 200 major companies have joined together to sign on to the Human Rights Campaign and Freedom for All Americans Business Statement on Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation. Together, these companies are united in opposing the wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, much of which specifically harms transgender youth, in states across the country. 

With Harmony (Triangles on Parade), I am adding my voice to the fight that continues.  

Using Island Batik solid white, I cut random triangles, framing them in rainbow colors (Island Batik Solids - Amethyst, Cobalt Blue, Turquoise, Green, Lime Green, Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink and Fuchsia). 

Harmony - Triangles on Parade

I used the Island Batik light gray solid as a background. Each triangle is different and yet they are in complete harmony with each other. Only if we humans could do the same.

It was a challenge to make the irregular shapes fit but so worth the effort. I have named them Harmony. Harmony  finished at 12" by 34" and I am very happy with the result.

Me: See my triangles on parade.

Paul: Are they proud?

Me: They ARE all colors, so I'd say yes!

I used Aurifil thread for piecing (50 wt) and quilting (40 wt) and Schmetz Needles - Microtex 80/12 for piecing and 90/14 for quilting.  I used Hobbs 80/20 Cotton-Polyester bleached batting. Walking Foot quilting and solid light gray binding. 

A few more pictures.

Cool ones

Walking Foot Quilting

Warm Ones

Pop of Colors!

And one last look.

Small Quilt - Mighty Message!

Harmony is rainbow-colored and Harmony is made from scraps. Not strictly a Rainbow Scrap challenge quilt, I will be sharing Harmony with Angela's RSC Linky. I hope Harmony will be allowed to the party.

I will be with mom in India, from May 2 - May 14, as she undergoes surgery. Please keep her in your prayers. 

The tutorial for Hands to Help will be published on May 8, 2022.  Mari has kindly agreed to share that post with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.  

Love & Hugs to you.

Hannah

Do you know Hannah?

Hannah

Here is how I came to know of her.

One Friday, I came home from work and kicked off my shoes. One landed face down - did not care.
Then threw the bag and purse on the couch. While the chicken pilaf was warming in the microwave, I got out of my work clothes, and threw them in the laundry basket, more or less.

Stacked

Whacked

Carrying my dinner plate in one hand, the glass of water in the other, and cellphone tucked tightly under my arm, I walked into the living room. I turned on the television and settled comfortably on the couch. Life was good!

Shuffled

Stitched

Pressed and Trimmed

Then I said to the blue button on the remote - Netflix.  I clicked on the very first suggestion. It looked like a stand-up comedy show by a woman who spoke with an accent.  I am a woman with an accent and I can be funny, especially when I am not trying (according to Paul).

No Blues

Between mouthfuls of spicy chicken and hot rice, I watched and listened and laughed. Once I laughed so loudly that I woke Paul from his nap.

Design Wall

He ambled into the living room, kissed the top of my head and walked away.  By then I had finished my dinner. I continued watching.

Quilting

But I had stopped laughing. After a few minutes of sadness, I had started sobbing softly. Since Paul was now awake, he heard my sobs. He walked into the living room, sat beside me on the couch and held me as I cried, sobs rocking my body.

Almost there

I felt her angst and her humiliation, while I was completely floored by her talent and delivery.

Pieced Backing

Next morning, I pulled out yellow, green, pink and purple fabrics - anything but blue.
And made a stack and whack quilt.

Yellow, Pink and Green

When the flimsy was finished, I was somewhat disappointed. No, I did not hate it. I just wanted to continue working on it. So I made a pieced backing.

Binding

The backing and binding fabrics are very similar.
The quilt finished at 45" by 53".  I have decided to call her Hannah.

Machine Binding

If you wish to better understand what happened to me, look for Hannah Gadsby (Nanette) on Netflix. 

Finished!!!

She is amazing and she is powerful. She completely destroyed my happy Friday mood in an hour. 

And I have no regrets. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. 

Sharp

Bright

If you don't already know the brilliant and incisive Hannah Gadsby, I want to grab you and tell you - please watch Hannah Gadsby.  If you can watch just one thing this weekend, make it Hannah.

Purple Pops

There are many comedians - funny, scathing and brilliant.  But Hannah makes you think and feel and hurt, while making you laugh.

Backing

That is me with Hannah

If you have thoughts about Hannah - the quilt or Hannah Gadsby - the comedian, I'd love to hear them. Yes, your comments make me happy and also because I am nothing without this community.

Labelled

Fake grass - real quilt

See you around, Hannah!

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