Our challenge this month was to make a paper pieced quilt, English or Foundation Paper Pieced, based on a holiday or celebration of our choice. The fabric I was supplied with by Island Batik for this project was Dots and Doodles by Carol Moellers Designs.
Many of these beautiful fabrics reminded me of fireworks and July 4 so I decided to make a quilt to hang at the top of my stair banister in July, much like I did last spring when I made the one below.
A good iron is a must for foundation paper piecing and I love my new Oliso iron provided by one of our Island Batik sponsors, Oliso. I prefer steam. but you can use it dry as well. It gets good and hot. And I love how I don’t have to set it up on it’s heel after each use.
Here are the pieces of one square. Any guesses what it will be??
Here it is, all laid out and ready to sew together, then quilt and bind. I used Aurifil thread for piecing and I will, of course, use Hobbs batting when I quilt it. This will go over the top of my stair rail to decorate for Independence Day, July 4.
Once again, I used this book for my inspiration and darling dog patterns.
I had an eventful April, to say the least, which set me back from my intended goals, one of which was to finish this quilt in time to post it today. I was ill most of the month, including a hospital stay for a week, with a diagnosis of Miller Fisher Syndrome, an autoimmune disease. It was a scary time for my family and I. I had a lot of numbness with muscle weakness and swallowing issues. After 4 infusions 24 hours apart, I was released, and the numbness eventually subsided along with the other issues. I am still dealing with some after effects, but am so thankful for the medical personnel who ordered ALL the tests and diagnosed me within 24 hours of checking into the Emergency Department. Time is of the essence with this syndrome. So thankful!
Check out what the other Island Batik Ambassadors have done or will do for this challenge.
WEEK 1
May 6:
May 7:
May 8:
May 9:
May 10:
Blog Hop Round-Up Week 1 and Giveaway
WEEK 2
May 13:
May 14:
May 15:
May 16:
May 17:
Blog Hop Round-Up Week 2 and Giveaway
WEEK 3
May 20:
May 21:
May 22:
May 23:
Thanks for following along with my sewing and quilting adventures! And thanks to Island Batik, Oliso, Aurifil, Hobbs Batting, and Schmetz Needles for supplying products for us to use for our challenge this month.