Puff Quilt - Trevor

Welcome to the first Island Batik challenge and blog hop of the year 2023. 

The first challenge of the year is to make a cozy, squishy Puff (Bubble) quilt using the fabric from your assigned Fall’22 collection 0.5 yard bundle!! 

I received Exuberance collection. This is an original collection by Deb Tucker of Studio 180 Designs.

Like most of the ambassadors, I had the same question - what is a puff quilt and how do I make it? I watched about half a dozen videos on the YouTube and made a list.

A list of all the things I disliked about making a Puff Quilt. Here they are:

1. Do not like the pleated squares.  Quilters and tucks don't go together. Generally, we hate them and painstakingly unravel stitches to smoothen them.  Accepting those tucks was a departure for a quilter's soul. It was also extra work - work I wanted to avoid. 

2. Do not wish to buy polyfill when I am rolling in batting. Although I had a small bag of polyfill left over from Gertie the Gecko, the puff quilt would need more. But I have plenty of batting which could be used directly (or cut up in bits), to make the puffy squares.

3. Do not like the idea that I will need a separate backing, in addition to the top and bottom fabric of the squares. This just seemed like extra work and extra fabric for no good reason. There has to be a better way to make this puff quilt.  At least, a different way.

4. The puff quilt would be too thick to machine quilt and must be hand-tied.  Tying the quilt would be slower and less secure than machine quilting.  It might also require special needle and wool.

Paul: You did not get any cheese?
Me: Cheese? You are allergic to cheese.
Paul: Yes, but you need a lot of cheese to go with all that whine (wine).

Me (eye rolling): Everything about this Puff Quilt is a challenge. 

Paul: When do you shy away from a challenge?

Me: I am going to try and come up with a way to make a Puff Quilt that eliminates these issues. 

Paul: Go, Preeti, Go!

Concept - Make the quilt top. Place batting behind each square and secure it in place. Add backing and stitch over the seams, in the channels between batting mounds. 

Making the Puffs

Trial/Audition Puff Quilt

I chose 16 fabrics from the collection to make 16 four-patch blocks.  Arranged so that the lightest and darkest fabrics crossed diagonally in the middle.  I used Schmetz Microtex (80/20) needle for piecing and quilting. I used Aurifil Thread for both piecing and quilting.

Quilt Top

I cut the batting squares 4.5". This would allow some room for the foot to move between the two puffed squares, thereby allowing me to machine quilt.

I used three layers of batting for each square. At a loft of about 1.5", it would provide a decent amount of puffiness.

3 Layers of Batting - About 1.5" high

Adding batting, one row at a time

I placed and pinned batting stack for one row at a time. Took it to the machine and stitched one/two Asterisk marks in the middle of each square in that row. Repeat for the next row.

Two done, six to go

Puffiness in Progress

Although this was a time-consuming process, it went smoothly.  Bollywood music was a big help :-)

All Puffed up

Layered on top of Backing

Since the flimsy was 44.5" wide, I could not use a regular (44" wide) fabric for backing.  I also had to account for added width to accommodate the puffiness. 

I quilted on my machine, using the regular foot. Technically speaking, quilting is stitching three layers (top, batting and backing) together.  Honestly speaking, quilting is a loose term here because I was stitching the backing to the flimsy, moving in the channels between the puff mounds.  I used the regular foot because it is not as wide as the walking foot. 

Quilting in process

Channel Quilted

Quilting was complete. No, I would not need to tie this quilt. PHEW!!!  

The last challenge was binding. 

Several of the YouTube Puff Quilts were turned inside out and then hand-tied. This eliminated the need for binding. But since mine was done differently, it needed a binding. Also, binding gives a neat finish :-) What do you think?

Ready to Bind

To make binding easier, I needed enough room (non-puffy flat surface) along the edge of the quilt.  To achieve this, I moved my needle as far left as possible and quilted/stitched down the edges.  Still, it would be impossible to completely machine stitch the binding. I machine-stitched the binding to the front, folded it to the back and hand-stitched it. 

Finished!!!

Although this method eliminated each of my peeves (tucks, need for polyfill, separate backing, and hand-tying), it is not as puffy or biscuit-y as those YouTube quilts. 

I like the understated puffiness. It is similar to a goose down comforter in puffiness.

Paul: This is finished!

Me: Yup.

Paul: What about all those challenges you were whining about?

Me: Killed each one of them.

Paul: Impressive! Did you name it?

Me: Yes. Trevor.

Paul: Trevor? Like Trevor Noah?

Me: Yes, because it is has dimples and it is cute :-D

Cloudy Day - Bright Quilt

Trevor by the Lake

Binding

Bye Bob, till next quilt.

In my continued effort to manage my stash, I am offering two prizes - scrap packs of batiks from my pre-ambassador days. As these are mystery prizes I won't be showing pictures of the scraps. However, if you are the winner, I will reach out to you to ask for your favorite colors, before creating the scrap pack just for you.

To enter the giveaway, please visit the Island Batik blog, and leave me a comment letting me know which collection is your favorite. If you show up as Anonymous (or a no-reply-blogger), make sure that you provide your email.

I will announce the winners on Saturday, 2/18/23. 

The blog hop continues. See full list below.

WEEK 1

February 6

Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood

Sarah Pitcher, Pitcher’s Boutique

February 7

Claudia Porter, Create with Claudia

Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs

February 8

Elita Sharpe, Busy Needle Quilting

Reed Johnson, Blue Bear Quilts

February 9

Suzy Webster, Websterquilt

Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts (You are here)

February 10

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 1 and Giveaway

February 11

Special St Valentine’s Day Post

Renee Atkinson, Pink Tulip Quilting

WEEK 2

February 13

Denise Looney, For the Love of Geese

Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail

February 14

Anorina Morris, Samelia’s Mum

Sandra Starley, Textile Time Travels

February 15

Susan Deshensky, Lady Blue Quilts

Randi Jones, Randi’s Roost

February 16

Special Island Batik Designers Feature

February 17

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 2 and Giveaway

WEEK 3

February 20

Brittany Fisher, Bobbin with Brittany

Lisa Pickering, Lisa’s Quilting Passion

February 21

Victoria Johnson, Forever Quilting for You

Mania Hatziioannidi, Mania for Quilts

February 22

Lana Russel, Lana Quilts

Pamela Boatright, Pamela Quilts

February 23

Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations

Maryellen McAuliffe, Mary Mack Made Mine

February 24

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 3 and Giveaway

February 27

Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights

Connie Kauffman, Kauffman Designs

February 28

End of Blog Hop + Final Round Up

Nihal

The Hindi/Urdu word Nihal means happy and satisfied in every way.  Imagine a traveler coming from hot and dusty desert, with a parched throat.  They would become "Nihal" after they had a drink of cool and refreshing water. Happy and satisfied in every way!

Meet Nihal. 

Location Courtesy - Kids Play Structure in Mari's Backyard

To make Nihal, I used a pack of 10" squares - Cheers, designed by Carl and Linda Sullivan of Colourwerx. Cheers is from the Island Batik Spring 2022 Collection.  I also used Island Batik Solid light grey fabric for accent and binding. 

Nihal is published in Annie's Special Publication - Fun with Squares. The issue is available now. 

Nihal on the cover!

My friend and fellow Island Batik ambassador Connie says that I am now a Cover Girl :-)  From someone who has many quilts on covers, that is a big deal. No arguments from me.

Quilt Picture on the cover of the magazine, on top of the same quilt

Speaking of arguments, the following conversation happened. 

Me (supremely excited): Look Paul, my quilt is on the magazine cover.
Paul: Well, the way I see it, the magazine is on your quilt.
Me: That is me taking a cool picture.

Paul: Isn't that magazine sitting on top of your quilt?

Me: Yes, it is. But a picture of the same quilt is on the cover of the magazine too. 

Paul (finally getting it): Oh yeah!!! That is cool. Well-done, babe.

Nihal finished at 57" by 66". 

I took the brand new quilt to Mari's place.  She graciously let me model my quilt, while she took the pictures. The grey/beige stone wall provides the perfect backdrop, while the mortar lines echo the pattern in the quilt.

At Mari's House

Raise a glass to this!

I thought this picture was really cool but something was missing.

Cool

Fixed it.

Cheers!

If I am going to raise a tall glass of a refreshing tropical drink and say Cheers, I do need a pair of sunglasses. Don't you agree? I wonder what Linda and Carl will say.

And one more picture - an inside peek.

Win-Win, says Annie :-)

______________________________________________________

In RSC news, here are my January blocks for RSC2023.  Linking with Angela's Linky Party.

This being my third year as an ambassador, I had plenty of Island Batik blues from previous collections and stash builders.  

Island Batik Blues

The blue blocks are complete but it is too early to determine the layout. Whether I will complete the stars or if they will be disjointed/deconstructed is a matter of deliberation. I need a few more tropical drinks. May be a brainstorming with Mari?  

January is done. I am ready for February. Are you?

_________________________________________________________

Speaking of February, the Island Batik challenge for February is Puff Quilt.  I will be posting mine on Thursday, February 9.  I am using fabrics from Exuberance, a Fall 2022 collection, by Deb Tucker of Studio 180 Designs, which should be coming to stores in February.

Make sure you check the Island Batik blog in February, for awesome giveaways.

Puff Quilt in process

____________________________________________________________

Speaking of giveaways, here are the winners of the Unboxing giveaway - mpv61 and Auntlilly. Emails have been sent. 

Finally, speaking of winners, you know what makes me feel like a winner? 

A comment from you :-)  Truly makes my day.  

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

A joyful beginning!

Wish you a very happy 2023!

I have news. Island Batik has selected a new slate of ambassadors for 2023.  And I am honored to have made the cut.

We have received the first shipment of our boxes and I am so excited to show you the goodies.

Here is a link to the Unboxing video.

Testing the set-up - Looking good!

In February, we will be making a Puff Quilt. I have received the collection - Exuberance. This is an original collection by Deb Tucker of Studio 180 designs. This Fall 2022 collection should be available in stores in February 2023.

Exuberance by Deb Tucker

Matching Yardage

Island Batik Foundations Bundle includes four Solids, four Basics and four Blenders.

Island Batik Foundations Bundle

As always we received solid neutrals - 4 yards each of black, white and light grey, and 6 yards of another neutral. Mine is Pastry. 

Solid Neutrals

I received the Square Squared Ruler from Studio 180 Designs. For the May challenge and bloghop, I will use this ruler to make a quilt, using the Winter 2022 collection, which will remain a surprise till May. 

Winter 2022 Collection for May challenge & Blog Hop

A generous box of batting came from Hobbs. Four Queen-sized batts should be plenty till the next box arrives :-)

Aurifil Threads sent a color-builder box named Frangipani containing three spools of 50wt thread.  We will be using these threads in our Crazy Quilting projects in April.

Aurifil Color Builder - Frangipani

50wt Thread Spools

Schmetz Needles provided an assortment of needles.

Schmetz Needles

We also received a generous helping of precut yumminess.

2.5" Strips of Opulent Orange from Gradations by Island Batik Basics

 

A pack of 10" squares of Ravishing Red, from Gradations by Island Batik Basics

A Pack of 2.5" Strips of Juicy Mosaics, a Fall 2022 Collection designed by Kathy Engle, should be available in stores in February 2023.

A Pack of 10" Squares of Celebrate, a Winter 2022 Collection designed by Kathy Engle, should be available in stores in May 2023.

My box also came with stash builders.

It is a challenge to accommodate so many new supplies into an already full studio space. So I took inventory and pulled out some duplicates from my stash builder strips. May be you can help me by taking these extras off my hands :-)

Prize 1

Prize 2

Yes, I am having a giveaway. I considered cutting up these strips into 5" squares. But decided against it. What if you want a rectangle 5" by 10" or you might prefer strips 2" and 3" wide. To be entered into the drawing for these 5" by WOF strips, please leave me a comment telling me what project you are working on. If you follow me on Instagram, you can leave me a second comment, mentioning your IG name. If you show up as Anonymous, please include your email in the comment.

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

With so many fabulous fabrics and lovely notions, I can hardly sit still. Trust me, I am sewing up a storm but that is a separate post :-) Come back on the 28th when I will announce the winners of the giveaway and share my works in progress.

Disclosure: The fabrics, needles, ruler, thread and batting were generously supplied by the following companies:

In separate news, Angela has announced RSC 2023 and January is Bright blue. I will be playing along. Here is my fabric pull and the strips.

Island Batik Blues

Strip Sets - Ready to Piece

Sharing with Angela's Linky Party.