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Showing posts with label Long Arm Quilting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Long Arm Quilting. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Make It Modern with Hobbs - Trig Play

The May challenge for the Island Batik Ambassadors is
Make it Modern with Hobbs.

Today is my day to show
Trig Play
with a new, to me, batting technique.


As Island Batik Ambassadors,
this month is our second industry partner spotlight challenge
and
we are to use any of the Hobbs Battings provided to create a Modern Quilt.


The biggest challenge this month for me was deciding which of the modern characteristics my quilt might include.
A modern quilt as defined by the Modern Quilt Guild (the use of bold colors and prints, high contrast and graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, Minimalism, expansive negative space, alternate grid work)



I chose an Island Batik Basic, Butternut, and the black and white fabrics from the ambassador fabrics that were provided.
I was going for minimalism with expansive negative space and designed a large triangle pattern.

Once the quilt top was finished, it was time to choose which Hobbs batting to use and black seemed to be the obvious choice.



But, I was concerned about the large white triangles looking grey with the black batting.
As luck would have it, I was able to visit with Steph in the Hobbs Batting booth during quilt market and fellow Island Batik ambassador, Jennifer - The Inquiring Quilter. was there too.


Steph suggested putting white Hobbs Thermore batting behind the white triangles to keep the white fabric from greying out with the black batting.


In order to do this, I simply cut triangles from the batting with the same pattern that the fabric triangles were cut from. As I quilted on my long arm, I placed the white batting pieces under the white fabric triangles and right on top of the black batting.


Next, I just placed the quilt top over the layers of batting and quilted as normal. The white batting stayed in place with no problem and I just love how the white stayed white and the quilting has so much texture.


I quilted with more triangles
and
for the quilting in the butternut triangles, I added a little sunshine and circles for a bit of quilting contrast.
The color of the butternut batik makes me think of Tuscany and the sun quilting seemed to fit.


The binding is black with 4 random stripes of the butternut to mark my 4th Island Batik Ambassador challenge and I thought it added a little modern touch to the binding.
Trig Play finished at 42" x 50".

You can find the full list of Island Batik ambassadors posting for the 
Make It Modern with Hobbs Challenge

by clicking HERE.


It was so fun to play with a new batting technique and I will definitely do it again!
Thanks, Hobbs!



Friday, March 29, 2019

Vintage Reimagined - Concrete Window

The March challenge for the Island Batik Ambassadors is Vintage Reimagined.

Today is my day to show

Concrete Window.


It's been a long journey to meet the challenge, but I am so happy to share the finish.

The challenge was to be inspired by anything vintage whether it's a quilt, a vintage find, antiques, vintage furniture or architecture. Basically, anything vintage could be the inspiration.
The only rule was the quilt must be over 36". Any technique or color could be used.


I searched books, magazines, and the internet for inspiration
and
my first idea came from a block in Electric Quilt called the Cross Roads Block.


After a little research, I found that there are more Cross Roads (crossroads) quilt blocks than I could imagine. From Kentucky to California and everywhere in between there seems to be a Crossroads quilt pattern. Some from the Civil War and some brand new.

So still I was struggling.
I felt like I was forcing a design that just wasn't really me.
Do you ever do this?
I think that is where my UFOs come from...

On a trip for a cup of Joe one Saturday morning, I spied this vintage concrete block fence and knew this was the inspiration I was looking for.


Then a light bulb moment -

A church window.
I just love the shape.


My quilt blocks were designed with Electric Quilt 
and
I used the colors of the window to choose the fabrics for the quilt.
 Island Batik French Blue - Mum Universal and Island Batik's solid Grey 
for the main part of the quilt.


The border is from the Island Batik blenders collection Large Netting in Pineneedle I was so happy to receive.

The batting is Hobbs Tuscany Collection Silk Blend.  Perfect for a lightweight quilt.


I quilted Concrete Window with Aurifil 40 wt. #2615 Aluminum on my Handiquilter with big leaves from edge to edge.  


Inspiration can be found anywhere
 and 
I just love how this quilt came about from a trip to the coffee shop 
on a beautiful Saturday morning.

I'll always think of that when I cozy up with this 54" square quilt.


You can find the full list of Island Batik ambassadors posting for the 
Vintage Reimagined challenge 
by clicking HERE.


Where will your next inspiration come from?




If you are looking for the All About Strings Blog Hop post and giveaway, click HERE.  
Entries end Sunday, March 31st and the winner will be announce Monday April 1st.

Thursday, March 28, 2019

All About Strings Blog Hop - Last Day, My Day, and Giveaway - Wavy Strings

Welcome
to
the final day of the
All About Strings Blog Hop.

 I'm sad to see this hop end.
My vision became a reality thanks to everyone who played along.

It has been so fun to see string
quilts and sewing projects
take center stage for one week
and
to all that participated or commented -

Thank you so much!


The projects have all been fantastic and the posts have had so many
tips and new ideas!!

Today is my day to show a new favorite quilt.

Wavy Strings


I just love making blocks with strings, it feels therapeutic.  
I actually made more blocks than are shown here, but time wasn't on my side.


So it's a smaller quilt than planned - 48" square, but still, love 
and
 I have a good start on another one.

I will draw the pattern up with the next one and will share all the details then.  
This one was a bit bulky and needs some perfecting.

I used a muslin foundation to stitch the strings and then a stitch and flip method for 
the top and bottom of the blocks.

Rainbow is my favorite colorway and I love scrappy quilts.



I quilted it with straight lines in Aurfil 40 wt. long arm quilting thread in white.

Part of the fun for me is the pictures.  
This one shows a big Dodge City water tower in the background.





All week I've invited bloggers to inspire us with string sewing projects and quilts.
It's been incredible!

I'm excited to introduce today's line-up of bloggers.

Creatin' in the Sticks - YOU ARE HERE 

Have fun visiting each blog and making new friends.

They have worked hard to show us some new ideas, so be sure to thank them with 
a sweet comment!

Find the rest of the schedule by clicking HERE

You can find links to all the posts on the Pinterest Board.


Giveaway!!

One of my favorite fabric shops is the 



One of my readers will receive a 
$25.00 Gift Card to go
SHOPPING!!!

Come back every day of the hop, visit all the blog posts of the day, leave a comment, 
and
 enter the giveaway.
(I've extended the time to enter to allow for everyone to visit all the blogs)

The winner will be announced on Monday, April 1st, 2019
no foolin'



Thank you, again, for the super fun and inspirational week!
Stay tuned, I'll have this pattern ready soon.


Sunday, February 10, 2019

Color It In - Project Quilting Season 10, Challenge 3

This is the third challenge of Season 10 of
Project Quilting.

I'm excited to join in this challenge, "Bigger Than a Breadbox"

My entry:

Color It In


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kim announces a challenge and you have one week to create something quilty.
Prizes can be won and it's a great way to meet new blogging friends.

The rules:

  1. Your project must have one measurement (length, width, or height) larger than 16″, and another measurement larger than 8″. 
  2. Projects need to be created during the week of the challenge (started on or after February 3, finished by February 10).
  3. Your project does not need to be a traditional quilt, but must meet at least one of these three requirements: include patchwork, include appliqué, have 3 layers stitched together by hand or machine.
  4. Incomplete or unfinished does not qualify. Every challenge piece must be a FINISHED project seen through from INCEPTION to COMPLETION during the challenge timeline.
  5. Link up by Sunday, February 10 at noon CST

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This challenge came the same weekend that I was able to open the boxes I received 
I am so excited to be an
 Island Batik Ambassador for 2019
One of the many benefits of being an Ambassador for Island Batik this year
is the gift of an 
Accuquilt - Ready Set Go! Ultimate Fabric Cutting System.
This challenge seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to figure out the cutting system,
so I used a free pattern from the Pattern & Idea Book from the GO! Qube 8" Block,
Pencil Me In Wall Hanging

Instead of using my new Island Batik fabrics, I thought I should start out with some scraps from
my stash to figure this whole new world out.


As I was cutting, I found out, 
the system is really easy to use and my worry about fabric was silly.
But, this challenge gave me a chance to try out my new toy. 
I'm calling my new quilt, Color It In.
I used Kona Solids for the pencils and border and white stash scraps for the background.
The pencil tan color is Moda Grunge


Color It In

Project Quilting Season 10, Challenge 3 - Bigger Than a Breadbox
Made by Carla in Dodge City, Kansas
Size: 42" x 18"
Die-Cutting and Crosshatch quilting.


You can see all the other challenge projects and vote for your favorites starting at noon central on
February 10th
by clicking 
HERE
This one is #117

Now, which one of my teacher friends or relatives needs this one???
I may need to make a few more.



Sunday, January 27, 2019

Make it Love - Project Quilting Season 10, Challenge 2

This is the second challenge of Season 10 of
Project Quilting.

I'm excited to join in this challenge, "Red, White, and Blue."

My entry:

Make it Love


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kim announces a challenge and you have one week to create something quilty.
Prizes can be won and it's a great way to meet new blogging friends.

The rules:

1. Your project should contain ONLY the colors RED, WHITE, and BLUE. It does not have to use all three, but it cannot include any additional colors.
2. Projects need to be created during the week of the challenge (started on or after January 20, finished by January 27).
3. Your project does not need to be a traditional quilt, but must meet at least one of these three requirements: include patchwork, include appliqué, have 3 layers stitched together by hand or machine.
4. Incomplete or unfinished does not qualify. Every challenge piece must be a FINISHED project seen through from INCEPTION to COMPLETION during the challenge timeline.
5.  Link up by Sunday, January 27 at noon CST.


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I worked this challenge a bit backward.
I quilted first on the long arm by combining a couple of Handi Quilter pre-loaded designs
on solid Kona white fabric with a scrap of batting between.  
The quilting is with Aurfil 40 wt. long arm quilting thread.

This was great practice in placement with the preloaded designs on the Handi Quilter.
My thought was to make a little Valentine decor
and
not go the predictable patriotic direction.
As blue is not a traditional Valentine color, I felt this might be a challenge.
Next, I trimmed the design and used fabric markers to color the design with red and blue.



It really looks like it's been appliqued.
Can you imagine all those tiny pieces?


Here is the back to show the quilting.




Make it Love

Project Quilting Season 10, Challenge 2 - Red, White, and Blue
Made by Carla in Dodge City, Kansas
Size: 15" x 11"
Fabric coloring and Computerized Longarm Quilting


You can see all the other challenge projects and vote for your favorites starting at noon central on
January 27th
by clicking 
HERE
This one is #110