Island Batik Review…

As you know, I’ve had the joy of being an Island Batik Ambassador during the past year. Each month, we’ve had a challenge that we had to sew and share using Island Batik fabrics. For the month of November we get a break and don’t have a project so I thought I would share all that I’ve made using Island Batik fabrics.

The first project that we had was to make kennel quilts for the Piece for Shelter Pets (PFSP) initiative. The initiative supports the Petfinder Foundation, a “public charity that works to end the euthanasia of adoptable pets by assisting animal shelters and rescue groups across North America”, through financial contributions made possible by the sale of fabric, thread, and other quilting related products.

Actually, February had a second challenge, a small project to celebrate Galentine’s Day. Galentine’s Day occurs on February 13th and it’s basically like Valentine’s Day except you spend it with your best girlfriends.

Next up was the Mini Madness challenge. I decided to attempt my own design. I had never designed a paper piecing project before, so I tried to go a little simple. I thought it turned out ok for my first attempt.

In April, the challenge was all about Applique. I chose to do a traditional Hungarian motif for mine. I really love how this turned out. I want to do some more of this sometime in the future.

Next up was the Modern Challenge. My quilt was inspired by a small portion of a tile wall located at the Brasilia TV Tower in Brazil. The tile wall was designed by Brazilian painter and sculptor Athos Bulcão. This tile wall is just one of many that Mr. Bulcão created throughout Brasilia. You can see more of his work at this Google Arts & Culture slideshow.

I think my Curvalicious Curves project is my favorite of the whole year so far. I used the Modern Melons pattern and tried to have a variety of melons, seeded and seedless.

For July the challenge was to make a baby quilt. Personally, I don’t like baby quilts that look like baby quilts. I like quilts that a baby can grow into and may still enjoy as they age a little. I had fun with this one and learned a lot about color.

August was a Quilt As You Go Challenge. Look at those fabrics!

September was the Back To School Blog Hop. My quilt used the Zen line from Island Batik. I think the fabrics have a real “spa like” feel.

The challenge last month was Creative Borders and Bindings. For my project  I added 3 borders to the SEW mini. I love a piano key border.

That’s where we are for the year with the Island Batik challenges. In December we are focused on Table Toppers and I have a couple ideas I’m toying with. In January we will be sharing fabrics from the Fall/Winter 2017 Collections in a Blog Hop. Wait until you see the fabrics I’ll be using, they will not make you think of Winter at all!!!