I'm so excited to show you my first complete challenge for Island Batik. This month our challenge was to create a miniature quilt no larger than 24" square for the Magnificent Mini Challenge using fabrics provided to us by Island Batik.
I'll admit I like big blocks and I cannot lie. I love them because they provide me with lot's of space to dance around the quilt with my second love...thread. So for this challenge I went with a scaled down variation of a Carpenter's Star or Carpenter's Wheel block. I bounced back and forth with a few other designs, but I had to consider the fabrics I had to work with and their quantities. This is something I hope that gets easier for me as the challenges progress.
My starting point was to break apart all of the beautiful Stash Builder Bundles that Island Batik shipped to me. Seeing all those 5" strips allowed me to see what colors I had to work with.
I was able to make this quilt using only Stash Builder strips.
Within a few hours I was able to baste this little beauty with some Hobbs 80/20 and find out what quilting goodness was hiding on the top of this quilt.
I dashed to my stash of Aurifil Threads to see what spools would come out to play.
I landed on Aurifil #2692 Black, #1100 Red Plum, #5006 Light Turquoise, #2888 Fern Green and #2886 Light Avocado. Each of these 50wt threads allowed me to give this quilt top just the right amount of quilty texture, without distracting from those gorgeous hand dyed fabrics.
I love that the size of a small quilt can become a playground of imagination for the eye. You never know what is secretly lurking the background of your quilts. It can completely change the look of your piecing. Thread and fabric, it's the PB&J of the quilting world.
My Magnificent Carpenter Wheel measures in at 24" square. I kind of worried, should I go smaller? Will there be another mini in my future before the end of the month? I guess any squirrel is possible.
Don't forget to check out all the other amazing mini's created by this year's team of Island Batik Ambassadors. Trust me you will be inspired!
Your mini is very beautiful! You have an excellent eye for choosing colors and putting them in the right places. The thread and quilting design is just the icing on the cake...love it all!
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
ReplyDeleteOoooh oooh oooh! I love this quilt and especially the quilting on it. did you use rulers for the straight lines?
ReplyDeleteI love the texture you created, Tish, and the colors play so well together in the Carpenter's Square. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLovely!! Great choices on the color and the quilting motif. BTW, this was my favorite line of your post today:
ReplyDeleteThread and fabric, it's the PB&J of the quilting world.
So true and so funny!
Love your mini!!!! It's beautiful! The quilting is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteYeah! on completing your first IB project!
Happy Quilting! :-)
Gail
I loved it so much I had to come to your site to see it again. That is a lot of fmq on a domestic. Recently I tried it to add detail to a mini and am now in awe of anyone who successfully quilts any sized quilt on their domestic.
ReplyDeleteAhhh!! Beautiful, from start to finish,Those quilting lines show off the fabrics and design perfectly. Waiting to see what is next with those batiks.
ReplyDeleteWow, I love this! Great colors! You really can do a lot with those stash builder strips; very versatile. Your quilting always knocks my socks off!
ReplyDeleteWay to start your IB year off with beauty! What a gorgeous little mini quilt. I always enjoy seeing what you create!
ReplyDeleteThe PB&J is gorgeous! The fabric and quilting is beautiful Tish.
ReplyDeleteTish, you have such an eye for combining colors, and this magnificent mini is no exception! Well done!
ReplyDeleteTish your Carpenter Star Mini is beautiful! Love the Island Batiks fabrics and your quilting was perfect!
ReplyDeleteCarol Andrews
https://quiltschmilt.wordpress.com/
Fabulous, Tish. Love the black and pink centre and the way you chose to quilt it!
ReplyDeleteHi Tish! It's behind you now - your first IBA project. Phew. And a beautiful job you did on this mighty finish. Beautiful fabrics - how could it not be fabulous?!! I love the pattern you selected as the size of the blocks really let the fabrics shine. Your Aurifil thread choices also just enhance the whole project, too. {{Hugs}} Wonderful mini quilt. ~smile~ Roseanne
ReplyDeleteLove it! Now I really must try the Carpenter's Star!!
ReplyDeleteSpectacular quilting, Tish!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous job, great quilting and I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Isn't the fabric wonderful?
ReplyDeletePretty!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a beautiful first challenge finish! You did an amazing job on the quilting...which I've come to expect from you! You are so inspiring! I have to say I love the bright pop of pink!
ReplyDeleteI'm sensing a little MC Hammer here. Your background fabric really complements the pinks and blues. I love what you have done.
ReplyDeleteTurned out wonderfully
ReplyDeleteYou did well! I have a lot of trouble planning a project within preset constraints. These challenges would be very daunting for me! Your thread work is, as always, gorgeous. You have a great knack for making piecing and quilting play well together.
ReplyDeleteWell done. It's amazing.
ReplyDeleteif only my washing looked as good on the line as yours! Lovely wee quilt Tish. The carpenter's wheel block is lovely, the fabric and your quilting just set it off. I look forward to seeing what else you come up with through the year
ReplyDeleteThat's beautiful! Although it would be beautiful even if you just basted it, your quilting took it up a notch.
ReplyDeleteLovely quilting - it complements this pretty piece nicely!
ReplyDelete