2020 Island Batik Ambassador

Once again I'm very happy to announce that I am an Island Batik Ambassador for the coming year!
I actually found this out the middle of December- what a gift that was!  Along with that news came the first of two amazing shipments of fabrics and supplies that I get to work with this year.

*Notice the TEAM LIFT label?  That tells you a bit about how heavy this box was!

 Below is a short video of what was in this amazing box.

Here are close up photos of what was in the box.
Aurifil Threads is one of the sponsoring companies and they supplied two boxes of their Color Builder Threads.  The Color Builder thread Collection is a group of 12 mini boxed collections of threads that are inspired by the colors of Italy where Aurifil Threads are made.  Each box contains three spools of thread in a light, medium and dark in one colorway.   These are great for expanding your thread collection.  I received Milan Grey and Pompeii Red.  These spools are 50 weight which is the weight I like the best.

Accuquilt is again one of the supporting companies and sent each Ambassador one of their Block on Board (BOB) cutting dies.  A Block on Board die cuts all the pieces necessary to make the block on the same die which is handy.  The die I received is called Hattie's Choice and makes an 8" block.

Hobbs Batting is another one of the supporting companies with the Island Batik Ambassador program.  In this box was sent a King size Premium Cotton Batting and King Size Natural Cotton Batting.  That will go a long way!

This year a new supporting company is Schmetz needles.  They sent a Pocket Guide to their needles which is very helpful.  They have a wide variety of needles and it can be overwhelming when at a store to know which kind of needle you are needing.  They also sent two packages of their new Super Nonstick Needles.  I had heard of these and since I often work with fusible applique, I'm excited to try these out.  They also sent two packages of their new Microtex (Sharp) Needles that are Chrome Professional Grade.  I'm excited to also try these.  I use Microtex needles almost exclusively, but have never tired their Chrome needles.  I'll post more about these after I've tried them out.

Now for the Island Batik fabrics!  The first bundle is the Prairie Skies Collection by Kathy Engle. This bundle is all half yard cuts with light and dark coordinating yardage (2 yards each).  The light fabric is called Sprinkles.  These are beautiful blues with some lovely prints.  You'll be seeing these in a project I'll be making and posting in Feb.  These fabrics will be arriving at shops this Feb.

Below is a 2 1/2" precut strip package of Sundance by Kathy Engle with a light and dark coordinating fabric (2 yards each).  I love these fabrics and will have a project published in a magazine sometime this next year as well as something made for one of my blog posts. This fabric will ship to stores in May.

 The collection below is a 10" x 10" precut package called Sunset Blooms by Kathy Engel for Chris Hoover of Whirligig Designs.   We also received a  coordinating light and dark fabric  (2 yards each).  I just love how the teal color pops!.

Each Ambassador received a large bundle  (4 yards) of one of their Neutral fabrics.  I got the color Doughnut, and it's as yummy as it sounds! They know that it is really handy to have Neutrals in our collections and we are well supplied!  We also received a variety of 8 half yard cuts from their Basics and Blenders fabrics.  These colors are always available and blend so well with their collections.  We also received half yard cuts from 5 of their new Solids Collection.  They now have 12 solid fabrics that are available now.  Be sure and check these out!

Stash Builder bundles are great!  Each roll is 4 strips 5" x WOF (width of fabric).  Each strip is a different color.  Each package contains 5 rolls.  I've used these many times.

The last two bundles are ones that I can't show yet because they aren't in the stores yet!  I'll be making a project to show you in May when we have a Blog Hop- be sure and check back then to see what is inside!

Later another package arrived from Island Batik with 4 yard cuts of the solids White, Gray and Black.

It looks like a lovely year!  So much beauty and so many interesting challenges coming up this year!

I hope you have some personal quilting challenges.  Watch all the Island Batik Ambassadors blog posts for some great ideas.