Quilting Affection Designs: December Scrappy Table Topper Challenge

The Island Batik Ambassadors are back working on a new challenge for December and Preparing for a nice Blog hop for January. Let's start with December challenge which was to design a scrappy table topper.

My Island Batik scrap bin

Since I have been designing as an Island Batik Ambassador, I have been keeping all my scraps and fabrics in one location in my studio so I can find them easily. My scrap cube was packed full of Island Batik fabrics just waiting for a project like this.

Scrap Block

So my idea was to design a simple patchwork table topper that was a variation to a rail fence block that uses patchwork pieces instead of full blocks. The 12" blocks use 24- 2 1/2" squares of various colors for the patch pieces. The 4 neutral pieces that make the rail fence in the block measure 2 1/2" x 6 1/2".

Now with the design done, I dumped the scraps on my cutting table and began sorting through all of the Island Batik fabrics. Looking for pieces that measure 2 1/2" or larger.

Before cutting

After Cutting

I decided I wanted to cut all the pieces fast, so I dusted off my Accuquilt cutter and found my 2 1/2" strip cutter. My strip cutter worked great for this project. I would get the 2 1/2" strips made then I would lay them horizontally on the strip cutter and run it through again to get the 2 1/2" squares.

Once I had enough squares, I start to make six patch units. I needed four - six patch units per block. I would sew the neutral strip on top of the six patch units, then I would assemble the four units together like in the diagram above.

Tabletop mockup design

I made six blocks and assemble them together to get the above design to get a quilt topper that measures 36" x 24". I decided that this table topper did not need a border, so I did not to add one.

Scrappy Backing and Binding

To keep with the scrappiness of the table topper I made a scrappy backing. I sewed six wide scrap strips together to get a significant enough backing piece to the put on the longarm and get it quilted. The binding was also made of scrappy neutrals.

Scrappy Table Topper Finished

My Island Batik scrappy table topper is bright and wonderful to look at. I would make this again and would love to create a bigger version of the quilt made out of just of Island Batik fabrics for a bed.

It's hard to believe that my second year as Island Batik Ambassador is coming to close in January. I really hope that Island Batik will let me return for my third year. So be sure to come back for January Challenge reveal in the Island Batik Ambassadors Four Season Blog hop starting the week of January 8th and going throughout the month.