Earlier this year I participated in one of GE Designs Quilt Alongs, Strip Twist. My Island Batik Stash Builders were perfect for this quilt. Stash Builders are 5″ strips by width of fabric that come 4 strips to a roll, 5 rolls per package. That’s nearly 3 yards of fabric and perfect for cutting 5″ squares or 2 1/2″ strips. I whipped this up at my annual quilt retreat using Schmetz needles and Aurifil thread.
Assembled piecesMy first completed block!Trying a layoutAll togetherAdded borders and scrappy binding using more of my Island Batik Stash Builders, Hobbs 80/20 batting, and Pro-Stitcher on my Handiquilter ForteDonated to our guild’s charity chairperson, Darlen,e at our November meeting
I know someone will appreciate this one as it is delivered this month.
Our challenge this month was to use the Accuquilt North Carolina Star block, generously donated to us by Accuquilt. We could use the entire block, just parts to make a totally different design, and/or pair it with companion dies. We could make it into any project we liked, using fall fabrics, if possible.
Accuquilt North Carolina Star
I thought about what fall decorations I needed, and came up with ideas for placemats. Placemats add a finishing touch to a table setting and we host Thanksgiving. Time to get busy.
First, select fabrics. I selected a variety of fall colored fabrics and wanted to use the larger prints as the focus fabrics. They became the 4 51/2″ squares in each corner of the North Carolina Star blocks. Then it was pure fun to play with the other fabrics to see how placement changed the entire look. The block itself was 12″ square and I wanted the placemats to be about 12″ x 18″ so I added some designs on the sides.
Parts and pieces to play with.My first placemat used Pine Leaves Cone-Gr as the focus fabric in the four corners. I really love this one. Other fabrics used were Leaves- Green in the very center, Berries -Orange, Pebbles -Coffee, and Sprig – Yellow in the middle and on the right border, and Rock -Yellow and Copper on the left side.This placemat was made with Leaves – Green Cactus in the four corners, Berries – Orange in the very center with Leaves-Green Grass and Rock – Yellow in the center cross and Rock – Yellow on both borders.This placemat features Pine Leaves from the Sandalwood Collection for the four corners, Leaves-Green from the Sandalwood Collection for the very center, and Leaves – Green Cactus from the Sandalwood Collection, Pebbles – Coffee, Sprig – Yellow, and Berries – Gold and Berries – Orange from the Sandalwood Collection for the rest of the placemat. This placemat features Leaves – Green from the Sandalwood Collection for the four corners, Sprig – Yellow, and Bubbles – Cherry to complete the center, and Copper, Rock – Yellow, Sprig – Yellow, Pebbles – Coffee, Round Petal Floral, and Leaves – Green Grass from the Sandalwood Collection for the side borders.
All placemats are backed and bound with Rock – Green Grass.
I quilted all of them at the same time on my Handi Quilter Forte with the Filigree Leaves e2e design from Pro-Stitcher Patterns.
I was able to use some Hobbs 80/20 batting scraps left over from what they generously supplies us. I don’t like to waste!Quilted on my Handi Quilter Forte (now Amara 24)with Pro-StitcherMy Handi Quilter Glide 2 foot made it so easyQuilted with Filigree Leaves by Pro-Stitcher PatternsI like the way they look on my dining room table. I enjoy some of them more than others, but that happens when you give yourself freedom to play. And they will let good with some of my other solid color placemats to complete the table setting for Thanksgiving dinner.
Many of the fabrics I used are from the Sandalwood Collection, which is a Winter ’22 Collection. These were the only fall colored fabrics I had on hand to work with, so if you see some you like, check your local retailer to see if they still have them. Country Charm or Celtic Fields are Summer ’23 Collections with similar colors and look. Otherwise, check out their current Island Batik fabrics, and I’m sure you’ll find something that needs to follow you home! I can always count on Creekside Quilts near me in Oregon to have Island Batik fabrics.
Remember, every project needs a new needle. I use Schmetz needles, normally an 80/12 Microtex. Hobbs 80/20 batting goes into nearly every one of my quilted projects and this one is no exception. Accuquilt makes cutting fabric so much easier and cutting the pieces is my least favorite part of quilting, so I use my Accquilt whenever possible. This time, it was the North Carolina Star BOB. Aurifil 50 weight thread is used for piecing. And a big thank you to Island Batik, who gives us freedom to play with our fabric and projects!
Please take a minute to check out what the other Island Batik Ambassadors did for their challenge this month:
After hearing a presentation about Quilts of Valor at our local Quit Guild, I signed up to be a presenter. My first presentation was a triple one – to a father and his two sons. I was very moved by the experience. I knew I wanted to start making some of these quilts for donation. But, the first one needed to be for my 95 year old father. I found the idea for this quilt on the Accuquilt website. I revised the Celebration Table Runner by adding three rows and continuing the flying geese as the border. I also modified it to make it using the Cotton Theory method.
Dad’s Quilt of Valor front
Dad’s Quilt of Valor back
And I was able to present it to him when I visited him in Florida in February.
Dad’s Quilt of Valor
I’m so happy to be involved with this organization. www.qovf.org
Last week I was able to finish a Quilt of Valor for my father, who is 95 and served in WWII. It is based on an Accuquilt pattern, Celebration Table Runner. I modified the pattern not only to make it quilt size, but also to construct it using the Cotton Theory method. Finished size is 60″ x 70.”
Dad’s Quilt of Valor front
Dad’s Quilt of Valor back
I will be able to present it to him on Valentine’s Day. Can’t wait! He has NO idea!!
I upgraded from an Accuquilt Go to an Accuquilt GO Big recently and am loving it! I am appreciating the speed and accuracy of the cuts.
I absolutely love the finished project, but I had the darndest time trying to locate a 2″ metal ring for the front of the bag. I ended up at the hardware store searching and searching. I ended up with a conduit locknut washer from the electrical department, but it works!! Crazy!
I also finished Caleb’s quilt this week. It enjoyed the process…
Cut with my Accuquilt
On the design wall
and then the finish this week. I made scrappy binding – one strip of each of the fabrics in the quilt and that was kinda fun to do! I hope he enjoys it so much as he grows up that it gets worn out. I love to think that the quilts I give will be enjoyed. Looking forward to beginning a new project next week. Stay tuned! Have a great week!
I joined the Turning Twenty Mystery Quilt Block of the Month last week and after I found out it was going to be stars, decided I would make this in red, white, and blue and donate it to Quilts of Valor. The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. The Quilt Guild of Indianapolis recently had a presentation by this organization that was quite moving. Very impressive! I volunteered to be a presenter after hearing about what they do. Anyway, here’s my progress:
I love the confetti background!
My neice just gave birth to a 9 lb 10 oz bouncing baby boy, so I’ve started this quilt for Caleb.I cut half square triangles with my Accuquilt Go – so easy and quick! On the design wall…That’s my weekly recap! Take care til next week!
I’ve been working on a comfort quilt for a friend who is going through a tough time right now. Here’s what I have laid out right now.
scrappy tumbler quilt
I used my Accuquilt GO Tumbler Die for the first time on some of my stash. Love it! So fast and easy!
I’m needing a good quote, saying, or poem for the label. I’m thinking of something about life giving you scraps or a quilt giving comfort. If any of you have any I’d appreciate you leaving a comment here. Thanks so much!
