August Try a Tool Challenge

 August 2020 Island Batik Challenge Quilt

Passages by Connie Kauffman

25" x 25"

The challenge for the Island Batik Ambassadors for August was called Try a Tool.  The new sponsor for this challenge was Deb Tucker's Studio 180.  Studio 180 specializes in rulers that simplify and make accurate blocks.

I received the Wing Clipper Ruler that makes the traditional flying geese units, along with the narrow Quilter's Magic Wand ruler.

I like flying geese, so my next challenge was choosing which Island Batik fabrics to use.  I decided on the fat quarter bundle of Whispering Feathers designed by Kathy Engle that I had been sent.  These fabrics are in the stores now.

Here I'm already thinking of how to  use them.  This collection was a challenge to me because it had color combinations I wasn't totally comfortable using together.  I'm not sure I've ever made a quilt with purple, red and orange together!

So- the next challenge was what design to use in my quilt.  The pattern had to have flying geese units so I could use the ruler, and we had to have at least 16 units in the project.  I looked thru some pictures of quilts that I have in a folder that I'd like to make someday and found one from the Jan/Feb Quilter's Newsletter 2000.  It was a quilt called Plaid Stars by Brenda Henning that was featured in an article about the Delectable Stars block.  So, taking the idea from a section of the quilt I was able to make a variation by resizing, creating some new blocks and changing things up to fit the fabrics.

Now to actually making the quilt and using the Wing Clipper and  Quilter's Magic Wand Rulers.

I have to admit here that I am NOT a person that buys a lot of different rulers.  I've found in the past that some rulers are only good for one thing and you have to read the instructions carefully each time you use them.  But- we were graciously given these rulers to try, so I was game to give it a go.

I like flying geese blocks and have made them often using paper piecing.  I like paper piecing because it is so precise and you can make any size block you want.  There is little waste and I have found many other rulers leave a lot of waste when making their blocks.

Let me tell you I was REALLY impressed with the Wing Clipper Ruler!  It comes with a simple instruction sheet that is very easy to understand.  AND it comes with a free video demonstration that is fantastic.  What I especially like is that the instructions tell how you can make blocks from 1/2" to 10"!  Wow!  I like to make small quilts and sometimes rulers aren't designed to make smaller blocks.  The pattern I designed had 1" x 2" flying geese  units so this ruler worked great.

Without going into a lot of detail, there are just a few steps in making the flying geese units.  You start with a large square and two small squares  laid out like the upper left block.  You line up the Quilter's Magic Wand down the center and mark on both sides for sewing lines.  Then you cut thru the center and press the blocks out..  Then you add other small squares (the instructions tell you what size squares you need) at the point, draw the lines with the Quilter's Magic Wand, sew on the lines and cut again.  Press and you have the flying geese unit.

Five squares made 4 flying geese units.

The final step is trimming the unit to the correct size.  This is what your ruler is for- and it is very simple to understand.  See how little trimming is needed?  You trim both sides.

Okay- I'm very impressed.  I made 48 units- and see how little waste there was!

Another new thing I tried with this quilt was Hobbs Fusible Cotton Batting.  Hobbs batting is one of the Island Batik Ambassador sponsors and this time we were sent one of their Fusible battings.  I didn't even know they made fusible battings!

I had used fusible battings in the past, but the brand I was using either quit making it or I couldn't get it anymore, so I was excited to try Hobbs.  Basting is probably my least favorite part of quilting, so this is a plus!

I was VERY impressed with the fusible batting! It is still an 80/20 Cotton/Poly blend. It fused very easily and it fused well to the back for me.  You can turn it over- reposition and repress the back if you get any puckers, but I didn't have an issues.  This is a small quilt- only 25" x 25", so I was also able to just press it on my ironing board and not even get down on the floor.

I also wondered about how the loft would be since the batting had been pressed.  I found it had good loft which really surprised me as many regular battings I'm finding today are very thin with little loft.

I'm SOLD on this batting.  Thank you Hobbs!

I used two Aurifil Threads that matched very well with the fabrics - red 1103 and brown 6010.   The new Schmetz Chrome needles are also great to sew with.

Well, I'd call this project a success!  Several great new things tried.  Thanks to sponsors Island Batik, Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design, Hobbs Batting, Aurifil thread and Schmetz Needles for the products used in this project.

More Fabric!

Believe it or not- Island Batik sent yet one more package of fabric.  This one wasn't ready when the last boxes were sent out.  Have a look at the precut package of Tropicanna Twist.

Isn't it beautiful!  It came with  two coordinating fabrics.  The yellow is Cormeal and the green is called Grass- both are from the Basics collection.  Each is 2 yards.  What shall I make with this?  I think I will just have to dream awhile....

The winners of my blog post for copies of the Sept/Oct issue of Quiltmaker are:  Sharon Aurora and Mary Q.  Congratulations- they are on the way to you!

Raspberry Delight -Quiltmaker Sept/Oct

My quilt Raspberry Delight is in the Sept/Oct 2020 Quiltmaker Magazine.

 Photo courtesy of Quiltmaker Magazine

I used the Sunset Plumes Collection by Kathy Engle.  It is an interesting selection of raspberry and shades of teal.

Raspberry Delight

Designed and made by Connie Kauffman

36" x 36"

Quiltmaker Magazine generously sent me two copies of this issue as giveaways.  Enter a comment below and I will select two winners in the next week.  USA residents only.  Make sure I am able to reach you if you are a winner.

More Unboxing Videos

If you enjoyed watching my unboxing video of Quilting Goodies - here is a listing of all the Island Batik Ambassadors and when they are posting their videos.

Unboxing Schedule.

Each Island Batik Ambassador will share their unboxing information on social media. Watch them all here:

Thursday, July 16th

Carolina Asmussen @ Carolina Asmussen Designs
Megan Best @ Best Quilter
Pamela Boatright @ Pamela Quilts

Friday, July 17th

Jennifer Fulton @ Inquiring Quilter (that’s me!)
Vasudha Govindan @ Storied Quilts video
Carla Henton @ Creatin in the Sticks

Monday, July 20th

Connie Kauffman @ Kauffman Designs
Emily Leachman @ Darling Dogwood
Denise Looney @ For the Love of Geese

Tuesday, July 21st

Leah Malasky @ Quilted Delights
Sally Manke @ Sally Manke
Maryellen McAuliffe @ Mary Mack

Wednesday, July 22nd

Carol Moellers @ Carol Moellers Designs
Gail Renna @ Quilt Haven Threads
Sharon Riley @ Sew Riley Designs

Thursday, July 23rd

Jennifer Strauser @ Dizzy Quilter
Jennifer Thomas @ Curlicue Creations
Alison Vermilya @ Little Bunny Quilts

Friday, July 24th

Suzy Webster @ Webster Quilt
Janet Yamamoto @ Whispers of Yore

Monday, July 27th

Sandra Walker @ mmm! Quilts
Gail Sheppard @ Quilting Gail

Tuesday, July 28th

Joanne Hart @ Unicorn Harts
Mania Hatziioannidi @ Mania for Quilts
Michelle Roberts @ Creative Blonde

Christmas in July Challenge

Well, it's towards the end of July already.  What a month it has been!  With the virus and social distancing, mask wearing and making...it is all rather sad.  A bright spot for all the Island Ambassadors has been the arrival of boxes of lovely fabrics and supplies for us to use the next 6 months in our monthly challenges.

Our challenge for this month is called Christmas in July and it was truly a unique challenge.  Accuquilt Go!  which is one of our sponsors, supplied each Ambassador with a Go! Me Fabric Cutter Starter Set.

This is just the cutest little Accuquilt Go! Cutter.  Very small and very portable.  It has the same great cutting performance as the larger Go! cutters, but is small enough to travel with. This size is great if you have a small sewing area, or if you just don't want a large cutter taking up space.   If you've been interested in purchasing a cutter, but weren't sure- this is a great size to try out, and there are loads of other dies that you can use in this machine.

This Starter set comes with two dies, a cutting mat, instructions and a few patterns.

The most interesting part of our July Challenge is that we were instructed to make a small project like a table runner and give that -AND- the Go! Me away!  We could choose someone we thought would enjoy the cutter and give it away sometime during July.  We got to feel like Santa Claus!  Thanks Accuquilt!

First I'll show you the table runner I made using the two dies that were included in the set.  The dies were for 3" finished half squares and  3" finished quarter square blocks.  I like that size for something like a table runner.  I used fabrics from the Sunset Blooms Collection by Kathy Engle (in your stores now).  The Go! Me made the cutting and piecing go quickly.

Hobbs Cotton Batting is always a plus.

I thought it looked very nice on my coffee table.

I used two colors of Aurifil thread for quilting.  The brownish color on the right is # 6010.  This is one of my favorite colors as it seems to blend with almost anything.

Now my project was made- who to give it to?  Having so many quilting friends, it was a hard decision for me to make. They all would have loved to have it.  I finally decided to gift it to my quilting friend Elaine.  She is a gifted quilter and has grandchildren that I thought would also enjoy using it.

The day arrived and the packages were wrapped for the big surprise.

Elaine had no idea- boy was she surprised!

 She loved the Go! and the table runner.  She said she felt like she had won the lottery!

A few days later I saw one of her posts on Facebook.  Her grandson who is a sewer had already been using the cutter, so I know it will get a lot of use at her house!  Merry Christmas Elaine!


Thanks to Island Batik, Accuquilt Go!  Aurifil Threads and Hobbs Batting for the products used in this challenge.

*The winners from my July 14 Blog are  Mary Q and Pamela.  Your issues of McCalls Quilting Sept/Oct will be arriving soon.

2020 Second Ambassador Boxes

Two large Ambassador Boxes arrived the end of June.  Island Batik Ambassadors receive boxes of supplies twice a year to use in making projects for monthly blogs. I was so excited I forgot to take a photo of the boxes on the porch.  They were big!  Due to the corona virus I bring all boxes into the garage for a quarantine time.  Because I had a hard time waiting to see what was in the boxes, I opened them in the garage- left the boxes there for quarantine and brought the treasures inside!

Here is a photo when I first opened the first box.  What treasures!

The second box was the same size and full of batting from Hobbs- one of our sponsors.

I tried something different this time- I made some short video clips to show you what was in all the boxes.

Aurifil Thread is one of the Island Batik Ambassador sponsors and sent each of us a beautiful selection of their 50 wt thread.  The 50 wt thread is on their orange spools.  This is my favorite weight to use.  This time we were even allowed to select the colors we wanted to go with some of the fabric we were receiving!

These are two bundles of Island Batik Foundation collections.  These are a combination of Blenders, Solids and Basics that they always have in stock.  They have a big variety and they work well with the collections.

This lovely fat quarter collection is called Whispering Feathers by Kathy Engle and is in stores now.   I already have a plan on what to make with them!

This 2 1/2 strip pack is the Island Batik Collection called Floralicious. by Kathy Engle.  This is a Spring 2020 release.  I love the color run!  It came with yardage in light and dark to match - both from the Basics Collection.  The light blue is called Icicle and the dark is called Waterfall.  They go really well together.

The Wing Clipper Ruler and thin Quilter's Magic Wand are from Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design.  They are a new sponsor and the Ambassadors were given different rulers to work with.  I've never used one of these before- so you will be seeing what I create with these rulers in a few months.

Here's a close up of Floralicious- isn't it lovely!

Here's the second video clip.

There were two packages of Stash Builder Rolls.  Each package contains 5 rolls of fabric.  Each roll has 4 strips of fabric 5" x WOF.  These are a great way to increase the colors in your collection.  

The colors in these packages were sort of creamy yellows and black and white mixes.

A large 4 yard piece of one of the Island Batik Neutrals called Rice.  I love this color- it is a very soft blue and sort of creamy spotted fabric.  It will be great to work with and four yards goes a long way!

Once again Island Batik sent yardage in their White, Black and Gray Solids.  They know we use these solids the most!

Here's a clip of another one of our new Sponsors - By Annie

ByAnnie sent each of the Ambassadors a pattern to make a bag and all the materials needed to make it, along with the yardage of Island Batik fabric to make the bag.  I have to tell you this is a super fun project.  We were even able to choose which bag we wanted to make!  I got the pattern Take A Stand. Let me tell you this is a BIG bag full of fun things to work with.  I can't wait to get started on it!

Let me tell you- it was really great to have all these supplies  provided.  You can find all the supplies at her website so you can have one stop shopping!

These two bundles are fabrics that haven't been released yet, so they are surprise bundles that I can't show now.  The blue bundle has half yard cuts of a new Spring Collection.  You will see what I make with these fabrics in October.  The pink bundle had half yard cuts of a new Summer collection and you will see my project with them in November.

Hobbs Batting is once again a sponsor and sent a large box with these battings.  There is a 80/20 Black Batting - Queen Size, a Fusible Cotton Batting - Queen Size, a Tuscany Silk Blend Batting - Throw size and a roll of Fusible Batting Strips - 2 1/4" x 25".  I haven't used some of these, so it will be great to  try them out!

There is nothing like having batting on hand when you need it!

Yet one more sponsor sent a box.  This is from sponsor Accuquilt Go!-  A Go! Me Fabric Cutter Starter set.

This Starter Set will be featured this month in my July Challenge in just a few days.

Many, many thanks to Island Batik and the sponsors Aurifil Thread, Hobbs Batting, Studio 180 Design, ByAnnie and Accuquilt Go! for the wonderful products they have sent for the Island Batik Ambassador program.

Stay tuned to  my blog to see some fun creations made from the above products from now thru December.

Pineapple Dreams

The latest issue of McCall's Quilting Sept/Oct issue has my quilt Pineapple Dreams.

Photo courtesy of McCall's Quilting

This quilt is 39 1/2" x 39 1/2" and used the Island Batik Prairie Skies collection by Kathy Engle and Hobbs Heirloom Natural Batting with Scrim.  The pattern looks a bit challenging but only uses 5 different paper pieced blocks with different colorations.  Even the inner border is included in the paper pieced block which makes it very simple.

Log cabin blocks are great and the fabrics in this collection make the center whites glow.

McCall's was very generous and sent me two magazines as a giveaway.  Just enter a comment below and I'll choose two winners with Random.org this weekend.