Welcome to the final day of the Island Batik New York Beauty Blog Hop! Today, Jane Hauprich of Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting, and I will share our New York Beauty inspired quilts with you!
Our challenge from Island Batik was to create a New York Beauty quilt using our assigned fabrics for this blog hop. Jane and I were assigned Woodcut Blossoms, a signature collection by Kathy Engle for Heidi Pridemore of The Whimsical Workshop. This is such a gorgeous collection of fabrics and is shipping to your favorite quilt stores now!!
I had never made a New York Beauty block and was (more than!) a little intimidated when I read this challenge. All of those beautiful points in the crown, not to mention the curved piecing??!!! I was ever grateful when fellow ambassador Emily Leach of The Darling Dogwood told me about QuiltSmart! While, I’ve only done a small amount of foundation piecing, a little paper piecing, and a little curved piecing, I felt this was very doable!! The foundation piecing process seemed less daunting, so my thoughts were why reinvent the wheel?? I ordered the packet!
I had already designed the block and a quilt in EQ8. I had one idea in mind, but as I began playing with adding the fabrics and different layouts, I decided on changing the layout a bit. Well, more than a bit!! I came up with 52 different quilt layouts using this block, and finally decided on this one, though the corners may have been turned slightly in the final photos!
After cutting the foundation pieces apart, I read and reread the directions a few times and then began stitching them together – and I really did enjoy the entire process. Working with Island Batik fabrics is such a pleasure!!
For piecing, I used Aurifil #1243 from a previous project. I have amassed quite a number of Aurifil threads as it is my only piecing thread!! For stitching the curves together I used a clear monofilament thread. I used this as well for appliqueing the assembled crown units to the background fabric. A Schmetz 80/20 needle and Hobbs Heirloom Wool batting rounded out the project. The binding was stitched down by hand using Aurifil #6736.
I had so much fun with the quilting! I really wanted to use a variegated thread in my stash; however, Ms. Mattie did not love it, so I switched back to Glide for the top thread and Bottom Line in the bobbin. I used a light gray and a darker gray as they blended with these fabrics so nicely. ProStitcher was used to modify a motif for the outer blocks. The round “world” center was quilted with Prostitcher. It is difficult to see the quilting so I added the motif in the slide show. It reminded me of playing with my Spirograph when I was growing up! I regret I forgot to change threads so the stitching would show better in that absolutely, drop dead gorgeous center fabric which is Rose-Rain!! In the outer eggshell blocks around the center I decided to do some free motion swirls, curls, and stars. And in the other eggshell blocks around the center medallion, I did ruler work, as well as for the crowns. ProStitcher was used for the borders with a border motif called Eleanora Border 1 from the Christies at My Creative Stitches.
And without further ado, I present to you, “Window to My Quilting World!” It was a HOT day for photos, so we went to the park fairly early and I was pleasantly surprised that neither the quilt, nor the two of us(!!) wilted!! LOL
Many thanks go to Island Batik, Hobbs Batting, Schmetz needles, and Aurifil thread for generously supplying materials to make these projects.
Please be sure and hop over to Jane’s blog at Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting and see what she has created using this same Island Batik collection. I have been amazed at my fellow ambassadors and all their different and beautiful interpretations for this New York Beauty Challenge. If you haven’t checked them out you can see the roundup on Island Batik’s blog for each week, as well as the winners of the previous giveaways. You can enter the final giveaway of these two bundles here! This giveaway ends on July, 1st at 11:59 pm PDT. Island Batik will notify two random winners by email on July, 2nd. If the winners do not respond within the first three days after being notified, two new random winners will be chosen.
And speaking of giveaways…there’s more!! I am also giving away a set of 5-inch squares from fabrics of this collection! Just follow the prompts in the RaffleCopter below. Be sure and answer the question in the comments section! If you follow all the prompts you will have seven (7) chances to win!! The winner will be chosen at random by RaffleCopter at 12:00 AM 7/4/22.
a Rafflecopter giveawayThanks so much for taking time from your busy day to read and follow my blog! I hope you all have a wonderful week! You can check out the remainder of the ambassador quilts at these links also!
Gorgeous quilt! I love piecing, and I’ve done a little of it all. I haven’t had much time lately since I’ve been packing to move. I hope to be back to sewing in another month or so.
I just do regular piecing, never have tried paper piecing before! I love your quilt!
Hi Brenda! I just love looking through your “Window to My Quilting World.” I can see (through the window) you were hard at work completing this project. WOW! It is stunning and those fabrics. I’m afraid of PP but adore the precise results needed for this type of pattern. All those points, and you’ve got them matching up perfectly. Your quilt holder did a great job, too. I’ll stick to foundation and appliqué and venture into PP when absolutely necessary. Fabulous! {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
I like English paper piecing when I am traveling. I like traditional piecing and applique when I can keep everything spread out to sew.
I am a traditional piecer and don’t like doing applique although I love the look. your block is beautiful. Love the idea of paper piecing this particular pattern. Thanks for the giveaway!
I would have to say that paper piecing is my favorite, even tho I haven’t done any for a while. I’ve gotten into EPP, which I also love.
I’ve at least tried everything but love back basted applique. Not a fan of paper piecing though.
What a gorgeous quilt! I love the spirograph design you used in the center…enough to make me want to make a quilt so I can use it, too. You did a fabulous job from the designing, to the piecing to the quilting. Congratulations on a real NY Beauty!
Applique is my favorite. I also like FPP. Thank you!
Your quilt and quilting is just beautiful! I love the way you used the fabrics in this collection. Have a great day!
Beautiful work Brenda and what a neat design. Thank you for all of the great information about the way you quilted it also!
Brenda that is a stunning quilt! I love those purples!
Brenda, your quilt is absolutely stunningly Gorgeous!! I love the fabrics, your quilting, and the pattern that you designed for this special quilt!
I enjoy all piecing of quilts but paper piecing gives me more of a point in my blocks which is helpful as a new quilter.
Oh, I forgot to say, I am a fan of foundation piecing, Bonnie Hunter style….string blocks done on old phone book paper. 😉
All I can say is WOW !!! Such a fantastic project. From the design to the final quilting you knocked it out of the park. Well done Brenda.
I like applique the best, but I also like traditional piecing.
I enjoy traditional piecing at the sewing machine followed by some relaxing hand applique. Thanks for sharing your beautiful quilt, and thanks for offering this generous giveaway!
Applique is my favorite, with traditional piecing being the second.
Traditional piecing is my favorite, although I also really enjoy needle-turn applique (when I remember to get my pieces ready). I appreciated you telling us that this block made you nervous–I have sometimes had that thought when I’ve seen the Island Batik challenges! Isn’t it great how many modern options there aren to make things easier? I feel that way about my Accuquilt Go cutter and dies.
I do not ( as of yet) do applique. But I loving piecing! Your quilt is lovely!
It’s stunning!! Now to finally make plans to make my own New York Beauty!
I like plain old piecing myself. Your quilt turned out just lovely.
Brenda, you made a beautiful quilt. I love the simplicity and the understated elegance! It is a wonderful window to a wondrous world.
I love your NY Beauty. The use of the white created a beautiful medallion in the center.
I really enjoy paper piecing the most. If I can make it with PP I will. Your quilt is gorgeous thanks for sharing and inspiring.
My favorite is straight piecing as I know I will be successful the first time around. I have tried curved piecing, paper piecing, and appliqué. Of these, appliqué is my least favorite.
I prefer regular piecing but am trying to do some paper piecing. Your quilt is beautiful.
I really enjoy FPP as it’s so accurate
Your quilt is beautiful. I love to applique, but am willing to try just about anything. Not a fan of crumb piecing, though.
My favorite is Paper Piecing, my least favorite is applique. If I do applique it has to be needle turn applique.
I like a variety of techniques, but, when I am in the mood to sew, straight stitching is my go! Thanks
I have tried paper piecing & applique, I think I applique wins over paper piecing. The colors in this collection are very pretty and made a great quilt.
I really like everything but applique. That is not my thing. Your quilt is lovely.