Sunflower Medallion Cutting

The Island Batik Ambassadors December challenge is Medallion quilts.  I've designed a new quilt, Sunflower Medallion for this project.  This is the last Island Batik Ambassador challenge for 2020.  

I'm cutting out the pieces from my stash, rather than from a particular collection.  This quilt will have a lot of blues, yellows, and orange.

As I cut out my pieces, I label each by color, size, shape, and identification letter.  They get sorted into little zipper bags for organization and easy access whilst sewing.

I pulled some of my fabric from these Island Batik stash builders rolls.  They are 5" x width of fabric strips and are so helpful when you are looking for just the right color. I see the perfect red orange peeking out at me in one of these rolls.

My Janome Memory Craft often becomes a fabric stand as I'm cutting.

  

And as usual, I'm cutting as many pieces as I can with my Accuquilt Go.  This is the 2-1/2" square die.  You can cut out 54 squares at a time with this die.  It's so fast!

This lovely orange fabric is called Pumpkin.  Isn't it gorgeous?  It's so ~ orangey.

Here I am cutting the Pumpkin fabric with one of my strip dies.  I have strip dies for 1-1/2", 2", and 2-1/2" widths.  They're so versatile.  You can cut across the whole width of fabric and get perfectly straight strips every time.  Then you can use them as is, or cut into smaller bits.  Definitely my most used Accuquilt dies.

I cut these strips into smaller strips.  So quick and easy.

I also changed my rotary blade before I started cutting this project.  There's nothing quite like a new blade.  It seems like I never notice how dull my blade is until I put on a new one.  I've been trying to change my blade once a month.  It's so nice to be able to cut easily and cleanly every time.  This is a big project.  I wasn't able to cut all the pieces out in one session.  Hopefully two will do it and then I can begin piecing.  How do you approach cutting out a new quilt?  Do you cut all the pieces at once, or a do a little as you sew along?  Do you have a die cutter, rotary cutter, or use templates?  Please leave a comment below.

*********************************************************************************

Be creative ~ Sew something beautiful today.

Jennifer Thomas

Connect with me:

Subscribe to the Curlicue Creations Newsletter

* indicates required

Email Address *

This is an affiliate link.  Clicking this link will not affect the purchase price.  However, if you do make a purchase, I may receive a commission.  Thank you.

Crocker Baby Quilt Finish

 Here's the finished Crocker Baby Quilt enjoying a little sunshine on a hot July afternoon.

Note:  Some of the items used to make this project were given to me by Quilty Box at no cost to me.

 I finished it up with a label and a photo session.

 I quilted every one of the 36 squares on this quilt with a different design.  Here's a few of them.

 Curvy square in a square.

 Swirls and pebbles.  I wish this photo had come out better.  It's such a cute design.

 Skinny vertical lines.

 The center of the quilt.

 Chunky ribbon candy, divided with horizontal lines.

 Here's the quilt relaxing on the front porch with a pillow.

 A little peek at the vintage blue floral fabric I used for the backing.

 I used a gold floral print for the binding.  Some of this fabric was also used for the quilt top.

 Pretty folds.

I gifted this quilt to my Dad for his 79th birthday to use as a lap quilt.  Happy Birthday Dad!

Be creative ~ Sew something beautiful today.

Jennifer Thomas

Click here to visit the Curlicue Creations shop.

Connect with me:

Subscribe to the Curlicue Creations Newsletter

* indicates required

Email Address *

This is an affiliate link.  Clicking this link will not affect the purchase price.  However, if you do make a purchase, I may receive a commission.  Thank you.

Christmas in July with Island Batik and Accuquilt

 This is my son, Gavin and the table topper I made for him and his girlfriend Mariah.  They just moved into their first apartment in May ~ how exciting!  They have the cutest dinette set.  This was the perfect cheery accent for their table.  I was so happy to bring them some Christmas in July.

Christmas in July is the Island Batik Ambassador theme for this month.  This month's challenge includes industry partner Accuquilt.  It was so much fun to do.  Each one of the ambassadors was given a new Accuquilt Go Me to create a small quilted gift for a new sewist.  Then both the quilt and the Go Me cutter were given to the recipient.  My son expressed interest, so I chose him and his girlfriend.  Because they are just starting out, I also included a small sewing machine, fabric, and a box of sewing necessities.  

 Here's the Go Me.  It's absolutely adorable!  It comes with a carry bag, a pattern and idea book, a cutting mat, and two dies.  One die cuts half square triangles and the other die cuts quarter square triangles.  Of course you can buy additional dies, too.  The possibilities are truly endless.

 For my project, I designed the topper with EQ8 design software on my computer.  

 Next I chose these gorgeous Island Batik fabrics.  The first three fabrics are from Whispering Feathers by Kathy Engle (I love this collection sooo much!)  The first green is a blender, and the last two fabrics are Island Batik solids.

 Here's the Accuquilt Go Me open are ready to cut.  I'm thinking this would be great to take to retreats or if you enjoy travelling.  It's such a nice compact size.

 If you've never used an Accuquilt cutter before, the pattern and idea book includes everything you need to know and some great ideas to get you started.

 Fabric before cutting.

 Fabric after cutting.  So easy!  And accurate, too.  Notice how the triangles are cut with the corners already trimmed.  This makes it easy to stitch them together with everything matching up flawlessly.

I wish they had these way back when I started quilting!

Here's a final look at Gavin and Mariah's table topper.  I quilted it simply with diagonal parallel lines stitched out from the center.  I used my favorite Aurifil thread, Hobbs batting, and Schmetz needles for beautiful results.  I can't wait to see what the kids make with their new Accuquilt Go Me.

Be creative ~ Sew something beautiful today.

Jennifer Thomas

Click here to visit the Curlicue Creations shop.

Connect with me:

Subscribe to the Curlicue Creations Newsletter

* indicates required

Email Address *

This is an affiliate link.  Clicking this link will not affect the purchase price.  However, if you do make a purchase, I may receive a commission.  Thank you.

3D Challenge featuring Diamond Pillow

 This is the project I made for the last Island Batik Ambassador challenge of 2019, Diamond pillow.

Note:  The fabrics for this project were generously given to me by Island Batik at no cost to me.

 This month's challenge was to make something 3D.  It could be a quilt with a 3D look, or a 3D object.  It should be fun to see what everyone comes up with.  Originally, I planned on making a backpack purse, but I changed my plan when the cost of all the zippers and other bag making supplies totaled over $50!  It did not fit into my current budget.  Then I designed a really amazing and involved 3D quilt design.  I also discarded that based on the time factor involved.  Perhaps another day for that idea.  The Diamond pillow was perfect.  I had everything I needed on hand and I made the entire project in just one day.

 I chose to use the Quiet Shades collection to make the diamond.  Aren't these colors so soft and peaceful?  They remind me of a misty morning sunrise.

 I drew the diamond block in EQ8, and printed it out as a paper piecing pattern.

 I used these two Aurifil threads for piecing.  They are colors 2026 and 2568 in 50wt.

 Piecing the top part of the diamond.

 Piecing the bottom part of the diamond.

 The purple background fabric is Dandelion Jelly.  

 I added a 1" border in the same purple fabric around the diamond block to make it look like it is floating.

 If I were to make this project again, I would make the border around the block wider to get a better 3D diamond effect.  

 I'm still ecstatically happy over my Diamond pillow.  It's going to live on my sewing chair in the quilt studio.

 I took a few photos in different locations.  This is on my front porch glider.

 Here it is on my lawn with some Oak leaves.  It's time to begin Fall cleanup. 

This was my final project for the 2019 Island Batik Ambassadors, and I don't yet know if I will be continuing into 2020.  It's been another amazing year.  I love the inspiration of the monthly challenges, and getting to create with the gorgeous line of vibrant Island Batik fabrics.  It's been an honor to be part of such a talented group of designers.

 Diamond Pillow

Quilt Stats:

Pillow size:  14" x 14"

Block size:  12" x 12"

Fabric: Quiet Shades by Island Batik

Thread:  Aurifil

Be creative ~ sew something beautiful today.

Jennifer Thomas

Click here to visit the Curlicue Creations shop.

Connect with me:

Subscribe to the Curlicue Creations Newsletter

* indicates required

Email Address *

This is an affiliate link.  Clicking this link will not affect the purchase price.