Bollywood Beats

Island Batik's September Challenge and Blog Hop focuses on the Studio 180 Design tool we received in our second Ambassador box. I received the Tucker Trimmer Tool.

The Tucker Trimmer is used to trim down units that are made with triangles: half square triangle squares, quarter square triangle squares (hourglass units), and combinations of half square and quarter square triangle squares (combination units). 

I also received the Honeycomb fabric collection, designed by Kathy Engle for Jackie Kunkle of Canton Village Quiltworks, shipping to shops in September. 

Schmetz Microtex Needles 70/10 and Aurifil 40wt Thread were used for piecing.  I used 16 out of 20 fabrics to make 60 half square triangles.

Ready to Piece

Ready to Trim

Tucker Trimmer in Action

I chose Island Batik Solid Black as a background. I knew the hot colors would pop on the solid black background.

Setting Triangles

Piecing in Progress

I enjoyed every moment of the process. This Honeycomb collection is my absolute favorite in the entire Spring 2022 collections. Goodness, these are my colors - fiery, spicy and intense. There is nothing soothing or calming about this color palette. They make me want to break into a song and dance. 

The quilt is bursting with energy and dancing with passion. Therefore, I have named her Bollywood Beats. It is no surprise that at one point during the photoshoot, Bollywood Beats just took off, down the wooded path, all sass and style. 

There she goes

Oh no...

I am so glad I was wearing sneakers and I was finally able to catch up with her, panting and out of breath. 

Paul: She is yours, alright.

Me: Of course. Wait, what do you mean?

Paul: Precocious and Opinionated.

Me: Paul, you are not helping!!!

Paul: Naughty Bollywood Beats

Me: I have a good mind to hang her upside down over the water.

Paul: Will she learn her lesson?

Me: It is worth a try.

Naughtiness Tamed

Paul held her tight.  Consequently Bollywood Beats promised to pose for pictures. Here she is, behaving herself.

Bollywood Beats

And then, like any other naughty child after the tantrum is over, she is hugging me.  

Hugging

Then we danced and twirled together, as Paul took more pictures.

Showing off

Happiness!

Diva much?

Swirling with Bollywood Beats

One more picture with the flowers - gosh don't they echo the colors of the Honeycomb collection? Honestly, I feel like the fabrics did all the heavy lifting and I had all the fun.

Nature Inspired?

The pieced backing is Fondant (Island Batik Neutral). I chose the Hobbs Black 80/20 Batting.

Island Batik Neutral - Fondant

Hobbs Batting - 80/20 Black

Quilted a grid using a walking foot with all over squiggly lines. I used Schmetz 90/14 Needle and Aurifil 40 wt thread for quilting.  Binding is also Solid Black.

Fondant Backing

Bollywood Beats finished at 70" by 88". Oh, but I hate to finish this blogpost, because it has been so much fun. A few more pictures? 

Be still, my heart!

Love the Contrasts

Labelled

Deceptively soothing backing :-)

Of course, I am in love with Bollywood Beats, but I'd love to hear your thoughts. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar. 

Topsy Turvy Quilt Pattern (also using the Honeycomb Collection) is on sale in my Etsy Store till 9/15.  

Did you know that the Island Batik Blog has fabulous giveaways every week? You don't want to miss it. 

Please visit other Island Batik ambassadors blogs. See full schedule below. Not only they have gorgeous quilts to show off, they may also have giveaways of their own ;-)

WEEK 1

September 6

Gail Renna, Quilt Haven Threads

Michelle Roberts, Creative Blonde Gifts

September 7

Sandra Starley, Textile Time Travels

Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations

September 8

Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs

Jennifer Fulton, Inquiring Quilter

September 9

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 1 and Giveaway

WEEK 2

September 12

Lisa Pickering, Lisa’s Quilting Passion

Suzy Webster, Websterquilt

September 13

Denise Looney, For the Love of Geese

Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail

September 14

Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts

Connie Kauffman, Kauffman Designs

September 15

Megan Best, Bestquilter

Maryellen McAuliffe, Mary Mack Made Mine

September 16

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 2 and Giveaway

WEEK 3

September 19

Elizabeth DeCroos, Epida Studio

Jane Hauprich, Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting

September 20

Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood

Andi Stanfield, True Blue Quilts

September 21

Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights

Claudia Porter, Create with Claudia

September 22

Mania Hatziioannidi, Mania for Quilts

Reed Johnson, Blue Bear Quilts

September 23

Blog Hop Week 3 Round Up + giveaway

WEEK 4

September 26

Pamela Boatright, Pamela Quilts

September 27

Anorina Morris, Samelia’s Mum

Brianna Roberts, Sew Cute and Quirky

September 28

End of Blog Hop + Final Round Up

Catching up

It has been a very busy year for me. According to Paul, all the busy-ness is self-created and self-inflicted. He is mostly correct and even if he was not, I am not going to argue with him. He is the only quilt model I have in these pandemic times.  Cannot afford to irritate him. 

Paul: Really, how busy have you been?
Me: So busy that I have not made a single zippered bag this year.
Paul(in mock horror): NO. 
Me: Even before I finish this thing, I have the next one ready to go, with no time to play in between. 

Therefore the RSC blocks had fallen behind. But I am caught up now. 

Meet my June RSC blocks. 

Dark Blue for June

             

Paul: Neat!
Me: Thanks
Paul: How will you put these together?
Me: If I knew that, it wouldn't be called Improv Piecing. Would it?
Paul: So you don't know?
Me: Totally clueless. Pizza tonight?
Paul: Sure!!!

I really don't wish to dwell upon June. Cause you know that is old news (especially since Angela has already announced the color for August). 

So let me show the purple fabrics and blocks for July.

Starting Point

Chain Piecing

Strip Sets

Finally Blocks!!!

PHEW!!! I am caught up, finally. Sharing with Angela's Linky Party. Surprisingly, Angela too is "Catching up".  Wild coincidence!!!

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My pattern Topsy Turvy was published in the Make Modern magazine, Issue 47.

Published

And get the subscription. It is totally worth it.

It started here - just playing with scraps till something emerged.  The overwhelming response I received from you prompted me to formalize it into a pattern.  Here are a few more pictures. 

Floating!!!

Labelled

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There are a few other projects that I cannot show at this time.  Here is a glimpse of the backings, as they were stuffed into a bag to be mailed. 

Island Batik - Sunset, Bumblebee and Lemongrass

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Positivity 2022 Update

When Bernie and I decided to set up the Positivity QAL last year, we did not know what to expect. I had thought that if we got ten quilts that would be respectable. But we received more than 20. We were giddy with happiness.  Naturally, we decided to do it again this year. We even got more sponsors and more prizes. Similar to 2021, I set up a lazy schedule from Memorial Day to Labor Day. 

We had the Finished Flimsy Linky Party last Sunday and there were less than 10 link-ups in total. Thank you so much to all of you who are participating in the QAL. Honestly, I was expecting more and I am a bit saddened by the lack of response. On the upside, almost everyone who linked up with a completed flimsy will be getting a prize!!! Check out Bernie's blog on 7/24/22 for the prize announcement.

So if you have not yet participated but would like to win one of these awesome prizes (for the completed quilt reaching Mercyful Quilts), you can still join in. Although a free pattern/instructions have been provided, you can use any pattern of your choice. You still have four weeks to complete the quilt. See the detailed schedule.

I will baste my flimsy this weekend. Quilting next week.

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Of course there are other projects in the works. Here is what I can show you.

I will be using all colors of the rainbow to make the August project for Island Batik.  It is a mini quilt!

Fabrics for Island Batik's August Project

In September, we have the Island Batik challenge and bloghop, featuring the Spring 2021 collections and Tools provided by Studio 180 Designs. 

Ready to sew HSTs

Using Tucker Trimmer to square HSTs

If your summer is lazy and relaxed with lots of ice cream, I am happy for you.  If your summer is a rollercoaster of one thing after another, hold my hand tight. I am right there with you :-)

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