Storm at Sea Blog Hop

                                                                            Storm at Sea                                                                              44" x 52 1/2"

The challenge this month for the Island Batik Ambassadors was to make a quilt using the Storm at Sea block pattern.  This is a great block with all straight line sewing, but can give the illusion of curves.

Each Ambassador was given a bundle of a new Summer collection.  This bundle came wrapped in our last Ambassador box because we couldn't show the fabrics yet, but they will soon be in your shops so you can start looking for them now!

The collection I received is called Passion Petals.  It was designed by Kathy Engels for Carol Moellers of Carol Moellers Designs.

I looked at a LOT of different Storm at Sea quilt patterns.  There are so many lovely designs and it can change dramatically by choosing different fabrics and where you put the colors in the blocks.

I ended up using 13 of the 20 fabrics in the collection in my quilt.  I also used the coordinating deep purple foundation fabric that was included with the bundle (see the dark color on top).  That fabric is so dark it is almost black, so I also added solid black for the smaller squares, binding and backing.

  

The Storm at Sea block is made with two different square in a square blocks that are easy to make, and a rectangle diamond block.  

I have made these blocks in the past and always seem to have a hard time getting them true to shape.  I have even made them with paper piecing, but that is also a bit challenging.  Having already tried out two of Deb Tucker's Studio 180 rulers, I looked into her Diamond Rects Ruler.  She has a great video on using the ruler, so I went ahead and purchased it since I knew I'd be making a bunch of those blocks.

Again, one of my favorite things about her rulers is that you can make them in a variety of sizes.  This one makes blocks 1" x 2", 2" x 4", 3" x 6" 4" x 8" and 5" x 10".  It also comes with great paper instructions.  The ruler can even be used by right and left handed persons with instructions.

*Helpful hint - I tape the paper instructions to the ruler when I'm done using it, so they are right there when I use the ruler again.

These blocks were easy to make, especially as I used the same color for all the  outside triangles.

I decided to use black fabric for the backing and to try Hobbs black batting for the first time.

I have to say I'm sold on this batting when your project has dark fabrics.  The batting is nice and soft and has no bearding- no little white fibers that poke thru with the quilting.  It was pretty amazing!

I used several Westalee Rulers to help with the quilting designs.

And Aurifil Thread for the quilting

Schmetz microtex needles are always in my machine.

I actually got the quilt finished before winter and took the photo in my side garden.  The petunia's just matched the Passion Petals fabrics.  Sadly they are gone now til next year.

I have a drawing for 3 half yard fabrics from the Passion Petals Collection.  These are lovely fabrics, so  be sure to enter!

Leave a comment to enter and make sure I can contact you if you are a winner.  USA entries only due to postage.

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Also be sure to also go to the Island Batik blog and enter this weeks contest.

Thanks to Island Batik, Hobbs Batting, Aurifil, Schmetz Needles for providing products for this project thru the Island Batik Ambassador program