This month the Island Batik challenge for the ambassadors is all up to us! It’s nice to be able to choose our own challenge every now and then, so here’s what went through my head!
In our July boxes, we received several different precuts, so I decided to use a couple of these for my project. Along with the precuts we also received 6 yards of a neutral to use in our projects. I chose two precuts, a 10 inch stack of Bodacious Black and a 2 1/2-inch strip set of Opulent Orange. These precuts, as well as yardage, are available year round from your favorite local quilt shop that carries Island Batik, as well as many online sources such as Hancocks of Paducah. I also used my new neutral, Doughnut (love this!!)
I love using EQ8 to design my quilts because I am able to upload the fabric scans and place them in the blocks as I see fit. They are easily changed until you are satisfied with the placement. I decided on 18 inch blocks so I could incorporate the elements I wanted to use.
I decided to use a take on the Rail Fence block. First I sewed the 2 1/2 inch strips into sets of three each and then cut each strip into 6 1/2 inch triangles for the pinwheels. Next, I used my AccuQuilt cutter and dies to cut the remaining pieces of the quilt. The 10 inch blocks worked great for this! AccuQuilt saves so much time and is great for arthritic joints! The batting I chose was one of my favorites – Hobbs Tuscany Collection – Cotton Wool Blend! I love this batting. It is so lightweight and gives wonderful definition and loft when quilted. It can be quilted up to 4 inches apart.
Here is the design I decided upon!
Since I had only used about half of the squares and strips, I decided to piece a backing for it, as well! I used the left over strips to make the scrappy binding and I love it!!
Yes, we have Chicken Legs in each photo…but don’t tell him I said that! LOL I’m grateful he’s willing to model the quilts for me!
Quilt Stats:
Name: Sunny Rails a’ la (in the fashion of) Pinwheels
Size: Approximately 53 x 53
Fabrics: Island Batik Opulent Orange 2 1/2 inch strips and Bodacious Black 10 inch squares with Doughnut background.
Batting: Hobbs Tuscany Collection Cotton Wool Blend.
Needle: My favorite for piecing, Schmetz 80/12 Microtex needle.
Thread: I exclusively use Aurifil 50 wt thread for piecing and I used a new to me product we received from Aurifil, their Monofilament invisible thread to top stitch my multicolored binding in place! It worked wonderfully with the 50 wt Aurifil in the bobbin.
Quilting: I used my HandiQuilter Avante (Ms. Mattie) with ProStitcher, and the motif was Clam Clouds from the Christies (mom and daughter team) at My Creative Stitches (no affiliation, just a very satisfied customer!)
Many thanks to Island Batik, Hobbs Batting, Schmetz Needles, and Aurifil for supplying products to make this quilt! I also used my alpaca wool mat for pressing which was given to us last year by Prairie Spirit Alpacas. It is the best wool mat I’ve ever used!
Island Batik is participating with AccuQuilt in their Covering the World Challenge. I will be donating this quilt to our guild comfort quilt chairperson when we start our new year next month. I will post about that during the month of September.
Please check out my fellow ambassadors during the month as they share what they’ve been up to!
Thanks so much for stopping by. Until next time…
Terrific quilt! You certainly chose your fabrics well.
That’s a beautiful one and I love what you did on the back, too! Great colors!
Sunny Rails is absolutely gorgeous, Brenda. Love the doughnut neutral fabric. Your quilting is amazing too. You and your dear hubby make a great time – you created a beautiful quilt and he showed it perfectly. Have a great weekend.
That is such a pretty quilt! I love the colors and the star and chain blocks, too. You do such a lovely job with those IB fabrics!
I love your design, Brenda. It’s such a happy quilt. The back is fun, too. Have a great weekend!
Beautiful Brenda and the back is just as awesome as the front!
Great job designing the quilt. Love the colors and the quilting design is perfect. So much fun that you did a very pieced back. Sunny Rails is a stunning quilt!
That quilt is just gorgeous! You have such a good eye for making patterns and colors pop! The quilting pattern is just perfect for this quilt. You’re so talented!
You really surprised me with this quilt. I was expecting to see something “halloween” and was surprised to see these wonderful pinwheels. I love your adaptation of rail fence blocks into pinwheels. Beautiful in every way, including that wonderful scrappy binding. Nicely done. You are so creative.
Fun design!!! Love that Clam Clouds!!! And great use of fabrics for backing!
Hi Brenda! What a beautiful selection of fabrics that turned into a gorgeous quilt. I love all the different shades of black. You’d never know those were all from one pre-cut bundle. Nice job, my friend. Happy Friday! {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
Wow Brenda! As I was reading “Rail Fence” and then scrolled down to see the photo of the quilt, I thought now that’s certainly a different looking rail fence, lol! But I love what you did with it. You can’t go wrong with batik fabric and your quilting is always perfect. Love the scrappy back too! Such a good way to use it all up….well most of it as I know those scraps seem to never get used up, lol!