Over the next couple weeks, Island Batik is Introducing there Spring/Summer 2017 Fabric Collection through their blog posts. I'm so happy these have asked me to join in the fun of writing blogs for my newest patterns that are featured in the Spring/Summer 2017 Catalog.
This week's featured collection is called "Bonsai."
"Octagon Gems"
Introducing my newest pattern "Octagon Gems" this quilt will add glamour to any room in your house. This quilt measures 56" x 56" when finished.
The quilt uses 5 fabrics from the "Bonsai" Collection. Plus adds Island Batiks Basic "White" batik to the quilt. Which you probably didn't know that there was just a Basic "White" Batik. This is lovely white batik to add to your collection.
"Octagon Gems" is an intermediate pieced pattern that uses a combination of flying geese, half square triangles, and half rectangles triangles to make up the two-block combinations. The only difference between the blocks are the color combinations.
The pattern was written and designed for the following Bloc_LocⓇ Rulers.
- Half Square Triangle Rulers 2 1/2"
- Flying Geese Ruler 2 1/2" x 4 1/2"
- Half Rectangle Triangle ruler 4 1/2" x 8 1/2"
Note: the ruler's list above is only suggestion for this quilt but not required to complete the quilt top. To purchase these rulers see your local quilt store or visit Bloc_LocⓇ website, HERE.
The "Bonsai" Collection is a beautiful collection available now at your local quilt store. The fabric in this collection is also available in Precuts.
Strips
Stamps
Stacks
If you love this collection be sure to contact your local quilt store and ask them to carry this gorgeous collection for you and your quilty friends.
If you are interested in purchasing "Octagon Gems" pattern, please visit my website, HERE. While you are visiting my site be sure to get my newsletter, signup of my blog and check out my other patterns.
Also for you store owners, I also sell my patterns wholesale or contact your Island Batik Sales Rep. Tina
This month the Island Batik Ambassadors were
given the challenge to make a Quilt As You Go project. This has was a
great challenge for all of us, know it
was for me since I had not done this before. Some of the Ambassadors even
did their projects on the longarms but chose my domestic Janome 7700 machine
for this project.
Bloc_Loc® Kaleidoscope Heaven
Well, I must say this was my first time with making a
project this way. So I had to do some research. So, I started doing a
little research and found a great tutorial by Sherri Noel, check it out Here. So, after
doing some reading, I began working on my
blocks for my project.
The Blocks and Fabric
The blocks I chose for
my project came from some new Bloc_Loc® Rulers and book called
"Kaleidoscope Heaven." In
the book, it gives you lots of different ways to use the new Kaleidoscope ruler
and templates, the design I came up with was on page 18.
Island Batik "Beaujolais" Collection
The Island Batik Fabric
I used for the project comes from one of
the newest fabrics collections, called “Beaujolais.” Now, I just used a handful of the colors in this
collection. I will be highlighting more of the fabric in next month’s
Back to School Blog Hop.
The Kaleidoscope blocks
are fair easy to make. Basically, you are cutting
your “A,” and “B” templates from strips either from one fabric strip or
from multi colors strip sets to get the
different effects in the block.
Step 1- Trimming the units.
After all the cutting is
complete, you start by sewing the template "A" and "B"
pieces together. Once they were sewn together,
you use the Kaleidoscope grooved ruler to trim the units down. Then you
sew all the units together to make a
6" block.
I made a second block in
a different color variation for my little quilt. Now the fun begins!!!!
Preparing Quilt Block Sandwiches
My unfinished blocks measured 6 1/2", so I needed a 7" batting square and 7 1/2" backing pieces.
For the batting, I keep all my scraps from my quilting
for varies projects that may come up. The batting I used was some leftover
Black Quilters Dream Poly. Next, the backing came from two different fabrics.
The sandwich starts with laying the backing down right side
facing down, then adding the batting in the middle and finally adding top with
right side facing up, basting the sandwich with basting spray. The basting
spray is there to help hold the pieces in place as I quilted the blocks.
Quilting and Squaring
Once I had made all my
quilt sandwiches were basted it was time to start quilting all my blocks were
in place, using my sewing machines
walking foot. It takes some time to do all the quilting, but it will
be worth it in the end.
After I completed all the quilting I trimmed the blocks to 6 1/2".
Joining Quilt Blocks
Once all the quilting
and squaring is completed the next step is the joining the blocks. I cut
out (2) 1" x 6 1/2" strips for each block.
I placed one of the 1" strip
on the bottom the block (right side facing down), then put a second 1” strip on top of the quilt block (right side facing
up) aligning up the edges. Pinning if necessary. Once
everything aligned up, you sew using a 1/4" seam allowance. Continuing
with all the blocks, except the ones at the end of each row. Pressing all the strips on top of the
block only to the right.
Sew all the blocks together, by layering two blocks together with tops of the blocks facing together, ensuring to align the pressed strips
to the right edge of the bottom block. Once the block is sewn together,
flip the blocks open and notice batting pieces will lay next to each other nice and flat. Repeat these step to complete
your row.
After the rows are made it's time to secure the back strip down. Start by preparing
the backing strips by giving them a nicely
pressed 1/4" crease on the open edge, then fold
the strips over one more time and hand stitch all the back pieces down, just like you
would bind a quilt.
Once all the backings in
the rows are completed, It's time to
stitch all the rows together, following the steps the same steps used in
joining the blocks together. Cut (2) strips would be 1" x width of the row. Sew all the rows
together by using the front strips and,
followed by hand stitching the backs
together, to complete the project.
My Quilt As You Go
Project is now complete.
I found that Quilt As
You Go was a fun and fast project. I defiantly
would do this again.
Be sure to check out the Quilt As You Go the other
Island Batik Ambassadors are doing this month. The list of Ambassadors are at the bottom.
Also
come back next month for the Island Batik Ambassador's Back to School Blog Hop
starting September 4th. It
will be so much fun!!
I love working with Bloc_Loc® Rulers! I have been using them for about 5 years now. I first fell in love with the half square triangles and the flying geese rulers. They have helped my piecing so much. Last year, I began designing patterns using the rulers. I have two more patterns getting ready to be released next month at Spring Market. These patterns will feature the half-square triangles, flying geese and the half rectangle triangles Bloc_Loc® rulers. So with the preparation for their release, I decided to put this little tutorial together to show you how easy the rulers are to use by making half rectangle triangles (HRT).
HRT A and B Rulers!
When you buy the half
rectangle triangle (HRT) rulers you receive two ruler’s A (left) and B (right).
Get to know your ruler!
You will notice that all the Bloc Loc® Rulers have grooves on the backside of the rulers, these grooves lock on to your seams allowances. These grooves help keep your ruler from moving around and makes trim precise.
Logo and Letter on opposite side of seam allowance.
With all Bloc Loc® Rulers, you can press your seams in either direction, but they will not work with open seams. When the ruler is placed on the seam allowance and locked into position the logo is always on the opposite from the seam. Once the Ruler is placed and locked on the seam allowance all you have to do is slide the ruler to you desired measurement. No need to pick it up, just slide it along the seam allowance.
Prepare your rectangles
Start preparing
by cutting all your rectangles to size.
For this tutorial, I cut all my rectangles to 3” x 6” to be trimmed to 2
1/2” x 4 1/2” units. You will have oversized rectangles, this will be trimmed later.
Layer with right sides up!
Layer each of the cut rectangles with right sides facing up.
Ruler A units
Cut diagonally bottom right to upper left corner!
One rectangle yields 2 triangle sets
For the A (Left)
Ruler units the layered pair and cut diagonally from bottom right to the upper left
corner. Each pair of rectangles yields 2
triangles sets.
Re-arrange the
triangle sets so they are laid-out how they will look when finished.
Offset by an 1/4"
Flip each of the
orange triangle onto a purple triangle so that right sides are together and
making sure orange is offset by a 1/4”.Repeat for the other set.
Stitch a ¼” seam for
each set for each set.
Press seams to one
side or the other according to your pattern.
Trim using Ruler A
Trim by placing Bloc_Loc® Ruler A on top of the HRT units so that the units seams locks onto the grooves. Once you have the ruler locked into the seams you can then slide the ruler along the seam allowance to get your desired measurement.
Trimmed A units
Ruler B units
Ruler B is done the
same way, with just a few things changed.
Cut diagonally from bottom left to upper right corner Yield 2 triangle Sets
Cut the layer right
sides up rectangles, diagonally from bottom left to upper right corner. Yielding 2 triangle sets.
Re-Arrange the
triangles sets so they layout how they look finished.
Offset by a 1/4"!
Flip each of the
orange triangle onto a purple triangle so that right sides are together and
making sure orange is offset by a ¼”.
Repeat for the other set.
Stitch 1/4" seam and press!
Stitch a ¼” seam for
each set. Press seam to one side or the other.
Trim using Ruler B
Trim HRT units using
the Bloc_Loc® Ruler B, and trim to the specified size.
Repeat for the other units.
You now have made
easy half rectangle rectangles that are precise.
The Bloc_Loc®
Half Rectangle Rulers come in assorted sizes:
2:1 Mini (2.5 x 4.5) Industry Standard
2:1 Large (4.5 x 8.5) Industry Standard
3:1 Mini (2.5 x 5) * Specialty Ruler*
3:1 Large (3.5 x 9.5) *Specialty Ruler*
4:1 (3.5 x 12.5) *Specialty Ruler* If you would like to download the directions and cutting chart, click HERE! Also If you prefer to watch a video on how to make these units, click below
Check out the Bloc_Loc® website for all their cool rulers. All the rulers have great videos for you to learn how to use them.
To purchased the Bloc_Loc rulers go to their website
or check your local quilt store.
Make sure you Sign Up for Quilting Affection Designs' for our blog and newsletter so you don't miss out on the release of our new patterns using these great rulers!! Tina
