Showing posts with label #100Blocks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #100Blocks. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Compass Quilt ~ Secondary Pattern Challenge

Let me introduce you to Compass, my Island Batik Ambassador challenge quilt for the month of July.
The materials for this quilt were given to me by Island BatikAurifil, and Hobbs.

This month's challenge was secondary pattern quilts.  A secondary pattern is an often unexpected design that emerges when you put multiples of the same quilt blocks together with no sashing or negative space separating the blocks.

 This is the main block in my Compass quilt.  You may recognize it as my "Cherry Bon Bon" block from a previous issue of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks.  It was fun and challenging to give it a makeover with the Island Batik fabrics.  I didn't have quite enough of some of the colors I wanted to use and did a lot of juggling to come up with a look that I liked.

 I made nine Compass blocks.  When I put them together, I get this simple, Diamond in a Square type secondary design.  

 As I sewed this quilt, I kept changing the name.  Because this block's original name was Cherry Bon Bon, I started with Chocolate Bon Bon, then just Bon Bon, then somehow that morphed into Compass in the Woods, which I eventually shortened to Compass.

 I love the way the fabric colors and patterns play together.

 Compass looks nice hanging behind a Singer 301 in my living room.  I do most of my piecing on a 301.  I own a few.  They are my favorite machine for piecing quilts.

 The summer months are super busy for me so I did a quick loopy meander to quilt the top.

 I tried this beautiful pure white Aurifil thread for the quilting.  I was not disappointed!  It quilted smoothly.  I really enjoyed the feel of it.

I used the Hobbs Thermore batting for this quilt (back of photo).  It quilted quite nicely again, just like it did on the Accordion Quilt I made for last month's challenge with all straight line quilting.

 I was running a bit low on batik backing fabrics, so I used this solid sage green.  It's a nice coordinate with the woodsy colors in the quilt top.

 I pieced together leftover strips from several of the blues and greens used in the quilt top for the binding.  I usually do my binding in the same fabric as the quilt's outer border, but I really like this fun look.  I may try it again on a future project.

 My boys tested the quilt's cuddly-ness.  It passed.

 One last photo of the Compass quilt, folded and pretty.

In summary:  The Compass quilt.  

Quilt Stats:
Finished Quilt Size:  42" x 42"
            Block Size:  12" x 12"
                     Fabrics:  Island Batik
                            Batting:  Hobbs Thermore
            Thread:  Aurifil

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas

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Friday, February 2, 2018

I'm an Island Batik Ambassador for 2018!

 I'm so excited to announce that I've been chosen as an Island Batik Ambassador for 2018!  This means I will be part of an amazing group of talented quilt designers who will be presenting fabulous creations for your inspiration all year through a series of sewing challenges.  The fabrics, thread, and batting for these projects will be generously provided to me at no cost by Island Batik.  Thank you, Island Batik.

 To become an Island Batik ambassador, I had to submit an application about myself and send in a block.  This is the block I submitted.  The fabrics in this block were pulled from my stash and are not necessarily Island Batik fabrics.  I hope to present a design and pattern based on this block sometime in 2018.  I have a few ideas already swirling around in my brain.

I've long been a fan of Island Batik fabrics and usually have a few bolts in stock in my Etsy shop.  This is my current favorite, Purple Buttons Batik.  Swoon worthy!  Island Batiks fabrics are all individually hand dyed by talented batik artists in Bali, Indonesia.

This is not the best photo, but my Silhouette quilt was sewn with all Island Batik fabrics.  This quilt was made to showcase my block, Shadow Play, featured in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 8 waaaaay back in 2013.

My first goody box of fabrics from Island Batik should be arriving soon.  I'm trembling with excitement.  When it arrives, I'll share the box opening with you.  Stay tuned for more!

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.




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Saturday, January 27, 2018

The Making of the Grow a Little Love Quilt

The Making of the Grow a Little Love Quilt
I made this quilt to highlight the "Grow a Little Love" quilt block I contributed to Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 16.  

 The quilt block and pattern appear on page 12 of the magazine, in the applique section.  It is block #1509.

 This block is fusible appliqued.  All the applique pieces were traced onto Heat 'n Bond Lite, ironed onto the fabric, and cut out.

This is the block before the zigzag edge stitching was applied around the edges of each patch.

A peek at the back of the block during the zigzag process.

Close up of the leaves during the zigzag process.

Next, I paper pieced little green striped rainbows.

And more little green rainbows.

The rainbows were sewn onto curvy rose patches.  I think they look like little watermelon slices at this stage.

Then the watermelon slices were sewn onto the blue backgrounds.  If I had to do this again, I would applique the watermelon slices onto a solid blue strip of fabric.  The tiny curves were tough to sew on this edge.

The curvilicious borders were joined to the quilt.

The final, solid green border was attached.

I quilted little back and forth lines in the blue backgrounds, swirls in the green borders and a wavy flower design in the watermelon slices.  I outlined stitched the applique pieces and did a loopy meander in the block background.

Fuzzy helped me with the binding.

The completed Grow a Little Love quilt.

The pattern for the block is available in the current issue of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 16.

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Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today!

Jennifer Thomas






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Sunday, November 26, 2017

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Calendar

 For each issue of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Quiltmaker sends a little thank you gift to the designers and block testers.  In the past they've sent big buttons, mugs, mouse pads, aprons, and tote bags.  This time it's a calendar.  The cover has a wonderful photo of all 100 blocks ~ isn't that fun?

Whoever put together the months did a really nice job.  Each month features a block theme that coordinates with that time of the year.  My "Grow a Little Love" block is featured in February, along with a bevy of Valentine and red blocks.  So sweet!  You could sew all of these blocks into a special Valentines quilt for a special someone.

Thank you, Quiltmaker!  

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas




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Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Mark Your Calendar!


Mark your calendars!  The Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 16 Road Rally Blog Tour is coming soon.  Get ready for quilty giveaways, designer tips, fabulous new blocks for your quilting bucket list, and fun, fun, fun!



Yes, I have a brand new block in this issue, too.  You can read all about it on the first day of the blog tour, Monday, November 13th.  If you're not already one of my followers, be sure to sign up for my newsletter at the bottom of this post for more details, reminders, and special newsletter reader only coupons.  

Here's a sneak peek at the cover of the upcoming 100 Blocks.  Don't you love the cover redesign?  It looks gorgeously modern!  I will be giving away a copy or two of this new issue, and more on blog tour day, Monday, November 13th.  See you then!

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas




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