February is the first month of the Island Batik Ambassador challenges for 2025. We're starting the year with the Runner Up Blog Hop. This month our Sponsor for this challenge is Deb Tucker's Studio 180. Each Ambassador was given a ruler from Studio 180 to use in making a table runner, and a Fall 2024 fabric collection bundle from Island Batik.
I received the Island Batik Collection called Joyous by the designer Jerry Khiev. This is a beautiful collection of 20 fabrics that are shipping to stores now. I also was given yardage in a light and dark fabric from the collection to use.
My final selection of fabrics was 13 from the collection above
I received the Square Squared ruler from Deb Tucker. Each ruler comes with a nice sheet with instructions on how to use the ruler. I love that the rulers show how to make blocks in many sizes. This ruler makes blocks in 6 sizes from 1" to 6" blocks.
This is a completed Square in a Square block.
This ruler is very easy to understand and use. It has three parts. The first part shows you what size to cut the center block- depending on what finished size block you want. This is very nice as that center square can be a very awkward size. This ruler makes blocks in finished sizes 1 to 6 inches. She also has a ruler that will make blocks in half inch increment sizes.
The second part of the ruler gives you measurements on what size squares to cut so that they can be cut on the diagonal to make the corner pieces to the block.
The third part of the ruler gives placement of the block so that it can be trimmed to the correct size. I love that this ruler you can make the blocks individually. There is very little waste in the trimming which I appreciate. As with all her rulers, you end up with very accurate sized blocks.
Deb Tucker also has Technique sheets that can be purchased to make variations of the block. I picked the Technique Sheet to make Little Houses. I made both the Square Squared blocks and the Little Houses block in my table runner.
The Little Houses block is the same block as the Square in a Square without adding the last two triangle sides.
The fabrics in this collection look like stars and fireworks. I turned the Little Houses blocks on their sides to make them look like arrows- with the idea of Sparklers shooting out from the center.
Just to give you an idea of my design process- here are several different designs I had before I decided on the final one. It's often hard to pick a favorite design!
Here are the blocks laid out in rows in the design I decided on.
I used Hobbs Natural Cotton batting and used Schmetz needles to sew with. These are my go to supplies!
I used the dark yardage from the collection for the back of the runner.
When the runner was finished I quilted it with a lovely blue/teal thread from Aurifil #4093. This color blended nicely with all the fabrics.
Here's a closer look at the center of the runner
This sweet little table runner is 14 1/2" x 34". I can use it on my end table or under the tv.
I have a giveaway of 3 half yard pieces from the collection that blend well together. These are pieces I didn't use in the table runner. Leave a comment below saying what you might make with the fabrics. USA entries only due to postage costs.
Be sure and go to the Island Batik blog and enter the drawing for one of two beautiful fabric collections. You don't want to miss this chance to receive one of these beautiful bundles!
Also- be sure and enter the new contest on the Island Batik Blog. This contest you can enter which of the Ambassador's projects you like the most each month. I hope you check out everyone's blog to see what they have created. Each month the Ambassador with the most votes will receive a prize and one of the persons that voted will also receive a prize! This is a new and fun giveaway we'll have each month.
This week starts the Island Batik Runner Up Blog Hop. See the posting below from Island Batik highlighting the Ambassadors, the great new fabrics and tools from Studio 180. Be sure and check out the daily blogs and all the giveaways!
Welcome to Runner Up, this year’s first Island Batik Ambassador Blog Hop! We’ve teamed up with our friends atDeb Tucker’s Studio 180 Designto challenge our talented Ambassadors to create stunning table runners or bed runners using the specialty tool they received in their first Ambassador box.
Table and bed runners are simple yet stylish decor elements that can elevate the look of a space while offering practical benefits. Studio 180 Design‘s versatile tools give quilters the freedom to experiment with small or large units to bring their vision to life!
Follow along as our participants showcase their unique designs, share tips and techniques, and inspire you to make your own runner or quilt using Studio 180 Design tools!
The fabric that our Ambassadors will be using in their Runner Up creations just started shipping to your local quilt shops! Find out which stores carry Island Batik near you by using our Store Locator; just enter your zip code, and your local shop will pop up on the map – it’s incredibly convenient and helpful!
Every Friday, we’ll compile round-ups of the projects and host a giveaway of two Fat Quarter bundles from the new Island Batik collections highlighted during that week! Make sure to explore all the amazing creations on the Ambassadors’ blogs and join in on their additional giveaways for even more chances to win.
Below is the complete list of Ambassadors, the collections they’ll feature in their projects, and their scheduled post dates:
Two additional boxes arrived from Island Batik and held more supplies for the Island Batik Ambassador Program January thru June.
Hobbs Batting is a sponsor that supplies us with generous battings. In the above photo you can see queen size batts in Premium Cotton, Natural Cotton and their black 80/20 Heirloom. They also sent a wool Tuscany batting.
Hobbs also sent a bag of stuffing for us to use in June when we make a Funky Friends creation. I've never tried this before, so I'm excited to try it out. They also sent a nice brochure that tells about all their different batting, with small samples of each.
Island Batik sent another precut package. This time it is a 2 1/2" strip pack of beautiful blues called Autumn Twilight. This is a Winter 2024 Collection. Packaged with that is a 2 yard cut each of a light and dark blue fabric from the Foundations line. These blend beautifully with the Autumn Twilight fabrics.
Another sponsor is Deb Tucker's Studio 180. They sent each Ambassador a ruler to use in our Feb Challenge. The ruler I received is called Square Squared.
So many great fabrics and products to create with the first half of this year. Many thanks to Island Batik, Hobbs Batting, Aurifil Thread, Oliso Irons, Funky Friends, Accuquilt and Deb Tucker's Studio 180 for providing products to use thru the Island Batik Ambassador Program.
Here is a list of all the Island Batik Ambassadors for 2025. Check out their blogs to see what they will be working with this year.
I'm so proud to announce that I am an Island Batik Ambassador for 2025. This will be my 12th year as an Ambassador. I have been in the program since it began and it has been a dream come true for me. Each year has held creative challenges, beautiful fabrics and wonderful people to work with/
As happens each year, the Ambassadors receive products from Island Batik and sponsors to use in making projects each month. Below you will see a brief video of what came in my first box for 2025.
It's always good to have a closer look for all the products in the video, so look at the photos below.
From Island Batik is a generous half yard bundle of the Fall 24 collection called Joyous designed by Jerry Khiev. This collection ships to shops this Feb and will be used in my Feb Blog Hop post. They also sent 2 yards each of a light and dark from the collection to use.
Two packages of Gradation Precuts- a 10" Stack of Precious Pink and a 2 1/2" Strip pack of Glorious Green. These collections are always available.
A 10" Stack of Forest Flora and 2 yards each of a light and dark coordinating fabric from the Foundations Collection. Forest Flora is a Fall 2024 Collection by Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design.
Island Batik is very generous to send yardage in white, black and gray so that we have it on hand whenever we need it. Four yards of each color! There have been countless times I've appreciated having these colors in my stash ready to use.
Also Island Batik sends a generous 6 yard cut of one of their Neutral fabrics. This time I received the color Sprinkles which is one of my favorites. This is one of the lightest Neutrals, with light gray dots. It is almost hard to see the print in the photo.
The Island Batik Foundations Collections include Solids, Gradations, Blenders and Basics. The greatest thing about these fabrics is that they are always available. The fabrics also blend really well with the different seasonal collections. We were sent 12 half yard cuts in a variety of colors.
Each Ambassador was sent three Stash Builder Bundles. These packages have 5 rolls of 5" x WOF strips. Four different colored strips in each roll. These rolls are a great way to increase the color range in your fabric collection. I especially like to draw from these when I'm paper piecing and need a variety of colors in a project.
The last collection sent from Island Batik is a Surprise Bundle! This half yard collection is a Winter 2024 collection and will not be in the stores until May, so I can't show it to you. I will be creating with this collection for my May Ambassador Challenge so stay tuned!
The Island Batik Ambassador program has several Sponsors that support the program with their product for us to use.
Accuquilt Go! sent each Ambassador a 10" Irish Chain Cutting Die. This is one of their BOB or Block on Board dies, meaning all the pieces needed for the block can be cut using this one die. They also sent a cutting mat that fits the die. This die came in an earlier package so doesn't show up in my video.
Schmetz Needles is a great sponsor and sends a variety of needle packs for us to use in making our projects. I've used these needles my whole career.
Aurifil sends thread that blends with our fabric collections. This time I received a green 1231, teal 4093 and purple 1243. Such lovely colors!
For the second year Oliso is one of our Sponsors. This year they sent each Ambassador one of their M3Pro irons. The iron I received is a lovely green. I'm really tickled with this iron. They call it a traveling iron because it is rather small. I love it because it is small and is much lighter to handle. The iron does have spray but I don't use that feature. One new feature I can't wait to try is it has a light on the tip! How clever is that! Where I iron can be rather dark, so I'm looking forward to this feature.
Included with the iron is a Sol Mate silicone iron rest. Very handy! And it came in a matching green color. Oliso also sent an iron carry bag that fits the M3Pro. That was very nice! Anyone that takes an iron to and from a class will really appreciate this bag! You will hear more about this cute little iron in future posts as I try it out.
Another Sponsor the first half of the year is Funky Friends Factory. We each get to choose one of her cute animal patterns to make. You will be seeing what I make in June. I'm looking forward to this challenge!
This is a very generous box of products that already have my creativity flowing! Later this month we will receive another box with batting from Hobbs and a specialty ruler from Studio 180 Design. These are both also Sponsors to the Ambassador program.
Follow my blog each month to see the various challenges and what all the Ambassadors create. It should be an interesting year!
