This month my Island batik Ambassador challenge included a fab tool from Deb Tucker: The Tucker Trimmer.
It is not a tool I had used yet, so I was excited to try something new.
I also crossed off a bucket list quilt, a carpenters star.
There is a great collection that I received in my July box from Island Batik: The Bloomers collection by Kathy Engle is fun and kind of bohemian in feel.
I paired it with some super solid white batik.
EQ8 was used to design the quilt to be a 60" square, perfect for a table topper a wall hanging or a couch quilt. Electric quilt has some basics from Island Batik included in the fabric collections. It makes it really easy to test out the fabrics.
The squares in this quilt finished at 6" .
I used the Quilters Magic Wand to mark my stitching lines .
I used an iron off chalk pencil; easy on and disappears when I press.
it really makes the squares perfect! there is just a bit of shreddy bits that I trim off.
Here is the layout of a fourth of the quilt, making it easy to assemble. The seams line up so beautifully!
I hung the quilt over my HandiQuilter bars as I ponder the quilting. Look at how nice and flat that quilt is! Hobbs silk batting was my choice for this quilt. I had a pre-cut piece that was the perfect size from my July shipment.
OH MY how much I love this batting! It is really nice with heavy quilting . The Tuscany Collection battings are folded and not rolled so they unfold with minimal distortion.
I used a lavender thread with a bohemian style design to really show on the white fabrics. It really complements the Bloomers fabrics. The design is Menagerie by Anne Bright.
I love beautiful points in a quilt.
Dark purple added a matching binding to complete the quilt.
Now comes the decision on how to take the finished photos.
During Covid, it is pretty interesting to come up with some creative venues for the photo shoot. Time to get creative:
I used to travel approximately 30 to 40 times per year teaching all over the US as well as the occasional international trip. I am now teaching virtually.
SO, what if my Boho quilt did a virtual trip?
Where would a bohemian quilt travel?
How about England and a visit to Highclere Castle, the home of Downton Abbey?
Or St. Petersburg Russia at the Church of the Savior on Blood?
How about a Kangaroo refuge in Tasmania, Australia?
Maybe a picnic in the grass by a Mayan Ruin in Belize?
Or maybe near Stratford Upon Avon, in the cemetery.
Near Mt. Fuji in Japan?
Or at the casino in Monaco.
Or, Christ Church College at Oxford in England.
Sigh....I guess I will have to keep my quilt with me at home!
Putting the bench in the overhead bins on a plane could be less than fun!
Hopefully someday soon we will be able to travel again and see the wonderful world outside of our own bubble.
Disclaimer: My Husband or I took each of these photos in the last 6 years of travel.
Thanks for letting my share some fun with you!
Thanks to my sponsors:
Disclosure: The products featured here were provided to me free of charge by Island Batik, Hobbs, and Deb Tuckers Studio 180 Designs,
Be sure to visit all the Island Batik Ambassadors:
Carolina Asmussen ~ Carolina Asmussen
Pamela Boatright ~ Pamela Quilts
Jennifer Fulton ~ Inquiring Quilter
Vasudha Govindan ~ Storied Quilts
Joanne Hart ~ Unicorn Harts
Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for Quilts
Carla Henton ~ Create in the Sticks
Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
Denise Looney ~ For the Love of Geese
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Sally Manke ~ Sally Manke
Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack's Blog
Carol Moellers ~ Carol Moellers Designs
Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads
Sharon Riley ~ Sew Riley Designs
Michelle Roberts ~ Creative Blonde
Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail
Jennifer Strauser ~ Dizzy Quilter
Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations
Alison Vermilya ~ Little Bunny Quilts
Sandra Walker ~ mmm! quilts
Suzy Webster ~ Adventerous Applique and Quilting
Janet Yamamoto ~ Whispers of Yore
In the light of current events, we really need to find some joy. The bright colors and act of creating with fabric can bring so much joy in a stressful time. I will continue to create in the next few months while I am at home not traveling and teaching. Follow me on Instagram to find more fun and colorful quilt projects (and some gardening and cooking too!). @bestquilter