The products featured in this post were given to me by Island Batik, including products from Hobbs and Aurifil.
I'm a multitasker at heart. Sometimes when I am planning a project, I like to figure out how I'll incorporate multiple goals. This includes quilt challenges and personal design goals. This week's Project QUILTING challenge of Bold and Brave wasn't really calling to me, so I was dragging my feet on formulating a plan. Then I found out that my Island Batik Ambassador box was due to arrive on Wednesday. I figured that meant I was supposed to dive right in and use it for my PQ challenge. It also meant I could procrastinate for a couple more days until the box arrived. ;-)
This project ties to the Bold and Brave theme in a couple of ways. This is the first official month in my role as an Island Batik Ambassador. It was brave of me to put myself out there and apply, and I'm excited to work with their bold colors. Also, I am excited to have started my quilt teaching career. I was a middle school math teacher for eleven years and it's great to be back in a classroom setting. The design of my mini quilt comes from my second Planned Improv workshop, All About Angles, which I'll be debuting soon. The workshop is designed to feature reversible fabrics (solids, hand dyes, cross weaves, batiks) so it lent itself well to choosing from my box of Island Batik fabrics. I love all the bright colors in the Morning Sunshine collection and chose a variety from that bundle to get started. After much debate, I settled on:
- Sunflower in Rainbow
- Mini Dot in Sun
- Grass in Lime
- Dot in Turquoise
- Grass in Purple
Back to that multitasking that I mentioned. This mini quilt is my Project QUILTING Bold and Brave challenge quilt, my Island Batik Ambassador Mini Love project, and a class sample for my Planned Improv: All About Angles workshop. A three-fer!
It finishes at 20.5" x 24", pieced and simply quilted with Aurifil white 50wt thread, and features Hobbs Thermore Ultra-Thin Polyester batting.
I chose my binding from one of my Stash Builder rolls. It was a 5" x WOF strip and I managed to make it work by piecing my binding with straight seams since I was worried I didn't have enough fabric to piece on an angle... and I was right! It was a very close call.
I love mini quilts. They provide a great opportunity for a fast finish, an especially nice option for gifts. They can provide a splash of color on a wall or table. And mini quilts are my favorite way to try out a new technique. Something about their small size means it isn't too big of a commitment for a first run with a new skill.
Thanks for visiting. I'm linking up to Project QUILTING 9.3. Voting opens Sunday morning, so be sure to check out the other projects and vote for your ten favorites. (Mine is #57.)
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
Wow, congratulations on being able to triple task on this finish!
sarah
Post authorRight!? It almost feels like cheating. ;-) Thanks for visiting, Yvonne.
Kathleen McCormick
Good job incorporating so many things in one project! Love your mini.
sarah
Post authorThank you, Kathleen!
Connie K Campbell
What a beautiful project, love the colors in it!
sarah
Post authorThank you, Connie.
Terri
Love it!! I haven't tried much improv sewing, so looking forward to being inspired by your projects with the ambassadors this year!!!
sarah
Post authorAww, thank you, Terri. I find improv piecing can be a little freeing. ;-)
Leah
Beautiful colors, and that thin batting... never seen that before, looks interesting and perfect for summer quilts.
sarah
Post authorI had never seen it either! I've never used a polyester batting, so I'm not sure how it would be for warmth, but it is so thin. Thanks for visiting, Leah.
Anja @ Anja Quilts
Great finish. Multi-tasking at its best. Awesome that you crossed off three challenges with one project.
sarah
Post authorThank you, Anja! It was like tic tac toe! :-)
Mel
Yay for three-fers!! Here's another three-fer for you: your quilt is beautiful, colorful and modern!!
sarah
Post authorAww, thank you Mel!
Elizabeth
Great use of yellow! That batting is way thin. I love thin batting, I will check it out.
sarah
Post authorThank you, Elizabeth. Let me know what you think of it.
lisa
I love how you worked with these bold bright fabrics and made a truly modern quilt from Batiks. Lovely
sarah
Post authorThank you, Lisa!
Kimberly Lapacek
Congrats on your ambassador-ship ;) Great quilt!
sarah
Post authorThanks! Should be a fun year. Thanks for hosting, Kim!
Beth T.
I've never seen that batting before. Thank you for highlighting it!
sarah
Post authorYou're welcome, Beth. It's fun to try new products. :-)
Dione Gardner-Stephen
Love your bold abstract mini quilt. :) Great work getting your Island Batik challenge to line up with your teaching commitments.
sarah
Post authorThank you, Dione.