Sunshine Blue Skies Quilt and Pattern in Connecting Threads

This is the Sunshine Blue Skies quilt that I've been sharing peeks of with you on Facebook and Instagram this week.  It's available through Connecting Threads as both a pattern and a kit.  The kit includes fabrics from Connecting Threads Sunshine Terrace fabric collection, as shown in the above photo.

I made this version of Sunshine Blue Skies using blue and yellow scraps from my stash.  

This quilt features two paper pieced blocks.  This one...

...and this one.  The two blocks together create a happy spinning windmill look.

I used Hobbs Thermore batting which is a thin lightweight batt, perfect for a summertime quilt.

Sunshine Blue Skies finishes at 41" x 50", just right for a lap quilt or a small picnic quilt.

Sunshine Blue Skies ready for some front porch sitting.

Here's a close up of the loopy meander quilting.  I used a yellow color changing thread by Superior, King Tut for the quilting, Sunstone.  The piecing was done with Aurifil thread and everything was stitched with Schmetz needles.

I used a piece of Bermuda by Island Batik for the backing.

I had just enough of this pretty blue and yellow flower print to use it for both the outer border and the binding.

Here it is, hanging over the front porch railing.

Sunshine Blue Skies quilt stack.

Sunshine Blue Skies

Quilt Stats:

Quilt Size:  41" x 50"

Fabric: From my stash

Piecing Thread:  Aurifil

Quilting Thread:  Sunstone King Tut by Superior

Batting:  Thermore by Hobbs

Needles:  Schmetz

Designed in EQ8

Pattern and kit available through Connecting Threads

Click here to order the Sunshine Blue Skies Quilt Kit:  Sunshine Blue Skies Quilt Kit

Click here to order the Sunshine Blue Skies Pattern Download:  Sunshine Blue Skies Pattern Download

If you sew a Sunshine Blue Skies quilt, please share a photo with me on Instagram @curlicuecreations.  I would love to see your quilt!

Don't forget, I'm a Missouri Star affiliate.  You can get 20% off your order of $50 or more by shopping through my link:  Shop Missouri Star.  You get to save $$$ and I get a small commission.  Win~Win for us both.

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas

Curlicue Creations

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Marvelous Minis Challenge featuring Pixie Garden

This is the quilt I made for the August 2024 Island Batik Ambassador challenge, Pixie Garden.

Disclaimer:  The products used to make this quilt were given to me by Island Batik and Industry Partners.

This month's ambassador challenge was to make a mini quilt!  I love mini quilts.  The quilt size requirements were 24" x 24" or under.  Pixie Garden comes in at 22" x 22".  The blocks are 4" square.

I mostly used fabrics from the 1/2 yard cut bundle that came in my July Island Batik Ambassador box, plus solid black.  These fabrics are basics, blenders, and solids and are available all of the time.

I used my Oliso iron and Heat 'n Bond Lite to create fusible applique pieces for both the tulip blocks and the nine patch blocks.  These pieces were tiny!

I considered just quilting over the fused pieces, but....I decided to secure them on all edges with a small zigzag stitch in matching colors of Aurifil thread.  I think it was worth the extra effort.

Here I am zigzag stitching around the small leaves on the Nine Patch blocks. I used Schmetz Vinyl needles to zigzag stitch all of the applique shapes.  They are non stick and work great for fusible applique projects, as well as for stitching on vinyl.

I put the top together in diagonal rows with Cheddar sashing and orange cornerstones.

I used Hobbs Fusible batting for this quilt.  I did micro grid quilting on the diagonal with Aurifil Monofilament Thread in a clear color.  It was my first time quilting with monofilament thread.  I'm pleased to say it went really well.

Close up of quilted Tulip block.

Close up of quilted Nine Patch block.

Close up of quilted corner with penny to show scale.

Backing and binding.

Pixie Garden glamour shot on steps with seashell and ocean coral.

Pixie Garden glamour shot with fall leaves.  I have a tree that has turned bright orange this week.  Maybe it was confused by the early fall school starting cool weather we've been having.

Pixie Garden end of summer green grass.

Pixie Garden on the pathway between my house and my quilt studio.

Pixie Garden

Quilt Stats:

Quilt Size:  22" x 22"

Block Size:  4" x 4"

Fabric:  Island Batik Assorted

Batting:  Hobbs Fusible

Thread:  Aurifil Clear Monofilament

Needles:  Schmetz Vinyl

Designed in EQ8

Be sure to visit my fellow Island Batik Ambassadors to see what they made for the Marvelous Minis challenge.  Here's the list:

Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs

Renee Atkinson ~ Pink Tulip Quilting

Megan Best ~ BestQuilter

Pamela Boatright ~ PamelaQuilts

Susan Deshensky ~ Lady Blue Quilts Studio

Brittany Fisher ~ Bobbin with Brittany

Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts

Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts

Jane Hauprich ~ Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting

Kim Jamieson-Hirst ~ Chatterbox Quilts

Victoria Johnson ~ Forever Quilting for You

Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs

Connie Kresin Campbell ~ Freemotion by the River

Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood

Denise Looney ~ A Quiltery

Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights

Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine

Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion

Sarah Pitcher ~ Pitcher’s Boutique

Lana Russel ~ Lana Quilts

Julia Schweri ~ Inflorescence Designs

Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail

Carol Stanek ~ Stitch with Color

Sandra Starley ~ Textile Time Travels

Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations

Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt

Don't forget, I'm a Missouri Star affiliate.  You can get 20% off your order of $50 or more by shopping through my link:  Shop Missouri Star.  You get to save $$$ and I get a small commission.  Win~Win for us both.

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas

Curlicue Creations

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Cascade Quilt and Pattern in Quilter's World Summer 2024

Yes, I'm behind on my blogging again. There has been so much going on this summer.  School is starting here on Monday and my last child is beginning high school.  Time has been flying by.  

Today I'm showing my Cascade quilt.

Disclaimer:  The fabric used for this quilt was given to me by Island Batik at no cost to me.

Cascade is in the Summer 2024 issue of Quilter's World magazine.  The pattern is on pages 76 through 81.  You can still order a digital copy of this issue online here:  Quilter's World Summer 2024  If you are lucky, you may still find a copy at your local quilt shop, but the Fall issue is out now.  I have a fun Halloween project in that issue that I'll be posting here soon.

Let me show you this gorgeous fabric I used for my quilt.  This collection is Fairy Floss by Island Batik.  It has got to be one of my all time favorite Island Batik collections ever!!!!  Look at all those gorgeous blues, greens, purples, and pinks.  It makes my eyes happy.

This quilt features two simple star blocks in different sizes and colors.  This is Star Block A.

Star Block B.

I believe Cascade was the first quilt I finished after I moved into my new home last year.  I'm still working on finding the best places to take quilt photos.  This one is on my front porch.  There is a farmer's field across from me that had nothing in it when this was taken, but is currently full of corn.

Quilting close up.  Loopy meander quilting.  I used Hobbs Tuscany Cotton Wool Blend for the batting and King Tut Angel Lavender thread.

So lovely.

"A pineapple a day keeps the worries away."

"Let the Adventure Begin"

I'm all ready for fall front porch sitting!

Cascade

Quilt Stats:

Quilt Size:  44" x 53"

Block Size:  8" x 8"

Fabric:  Fairy Floss by Island Batik 

Batting:  Hobbs Tuscany Cotton Wool Blend

Piecing Thread:  Aurifil

Quilting Thread:  Angel Lavender King Tut by Superior

Needles:  Schmetz

Designed in EQ8

Thank you so much for reading.  Please leave a comment and let me know what you think of the Cascade quilt.  If you sew a Cascade quilt, please share a pic with me on Instagram @curlicuecreations.  I would love to see your quilt!

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas

Curlicue Creations

Don't forget, I'm a Missouri Star affiliate.  You can get 20% off your order of $50 or more by shopping through my link:  Shop Missouri Star.  You get to save $$$ and I get a small commission.  Win~Win for us both.

Connect with me:

Subscribe to the Curlicue Creations Newsletter

* indicates required

Email Address *