The Oliso iron carrying bag is constructed from strong,
durable polyester felt, designed to protect the irons. Initially, I had
difficulty figuring out how to decorate this carrying bag. However, during my
visit to the Road to Virginia quilt show, I stopped by Oliso's booth and spoke
with Michele Muska, the Director of Content and Community. She shared several
beautifully decorated bags from the show, which served as great inspiration for
my own design ideas.
I knew I wanted to work with leftovers from Jackie Kunkel's
Canton Village Quilt Works Cosmic Fabric Collection by Island Batik Lumin Fabrics, which were part of my February challenge. I initially thought about
adding just Flying Geese units to the bag, but the main question was what size
units to create. I started by experimenting with the smallest size I could make
using one of my Studio 180 Design Wing Clipper Tools. After some trial and
error, I decided on a finished size.
I used six bold and vibrant colors for the body of my Flying
Geese and black for the wings. I created Flying Geese units that measure 5/8” x
1/4” finished size, trimming them down to perfection with my Eighth Inch Wing
Clipper. It was quite enjoyable to make these small Flying Geese units!
For the center of the bag, I sewed two sets of six units
together to create a long section of Flying Geese. Then, I added black strip pieces
to the top and bottom to allow for a clean finish when folded under. I did the
same on the sides as well.
Looking at the sides of the bag, I decided to incorporate a
smaller set of Flying Geese units. I added two long pieces to the top and
bottom of the geese for another fitting. Once I placed them on the bag, it
looked good, but I felt it needed something more.
After making and trimming them to the correct size, I sewed them together in a long row to achieve a diamond effect.
To finish the sides, I placed a long, narrow strip between
the Flying Geese row and the Star 60 row. I also added a strip at the bottom
beneath the Star 60 row, which will be folded under to complete the bottom edge
of the sides. For the top, I planned a long, wide strip that will help finish
the upper edge of the bag's side and will be shaped later.
I repeated this
process for the other side as well.
To finish the sides and center of the bag, I used freezer
paper templates to accurately shape the edges of the pieces.
Next, I applied
Hobbs Heirloom fusible batting to these shaped pieces using my Oliso M3 Pro
iron.
Finally, I quilted the pieces together with Aurifil thread using my
Bernina 790 Pro sewing machine.
Next, I used my Bernina 700 to embroider my logo on the
bottom of the bag as a finishing touch.
I then decided to hand-stitch the center and side pieces, as
well as the bottom logo, onto the bag. Although it was challenging to stitch
through the felt, after several evenings of hand stitching, I finally completed
it.
I loved the result, and it was such a fun project!
It’s hard to believe we are already halfway through the 2025
Island Batik Ambassador program; this year has flown by so quickly! Lumin
Fabrics has sent me a new box of Island Batik fabrics and products that will
help us create some exciting projects over the next six months. I created an
unboxing video, which I've shared in the blog post below.
First off, I received four stash builders containing five
rolls of 4-5” x WOF strips. These stash busters are a lot of fun to work with!
Next, I have two stunning gradient precut packs: the
Precious Pinks pack, which consists of 2½” strips, and the Ravishing Red pack
featuring a 10” stack.
Check out this ½-yard bundle from the Garden Glory
collection, which will be featured in September's Blog Hop, along with 2 yards
of light neutral and dark fabrics that will complement the collection. They
also provided us with ½-yard cuts of foundations to coordinate with the Garden
Glory collection, plus spools of coordinating Aurifil thread. This is going to
be a fun blog hop, so stay tuned!
Additionally, I received this beautiful 6-yard Neutral Mocha
fabric with cream and green highlights. It will make a great accent or
background.
In October, I look forward to making my Two Little Totes by
Annie bags. I’ve chosen these fabrics for my bag, so stay tuned to see how it
turns out.
I also received a precut bundle featuring Fossil Finesse 10”
squares, along with 2 yards of light and dark coordinates. I have plans for
this collection later in the year.
Moreover, I received a Surprise collection that will be
featured in November's Blog Hop, and I can’t wait to open it and get started. I
also received a Foundations bundle to accompany the Surprise collection, which
I’m sure will be a lot of fun.
Lastly, I received a restock of Dark Grey, White, and Black
solids that are always essential. Additionally, Hobbs supplied us with a
restock of Hobbs Batting.
Well, it looks like I’d better get busy on all these
projects! See you in August with a new Challenge, featuring Oliso.
Welcome to
the final day of the Island Batik Ambassador Runner-Up Blog Hop! This month, my
fellow Ambassadors and I have been showcasing table runner and bed runner
projects made from beautiful fabrics from the Fall/Winter Collections by Island Batik for Lumin Fabrics. Additionally, these projects were created
using tools from Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Design, our wonderful sponsor of this
month’s blog hop. If you missed any of my fellow Ambassador posts, you can find
the complete list at the bottom. Additionally, there is a special giveaway from
Island Batik.
I am
excited to share a special fabric collection designed by Jackie Kunkel, of Canton Village Quilt Works called“Cosmic.” This vibrant, rainbow-colored collection features designs that depict
the sun, moon, and other elements of the universe throughout all the fabrics. This fabric collection is arriving in your local quilt shops soon.
Additionally, the collection includes off-white and black fabrics that
incorporate these celestial elements. It’s a fun and lively collection!
What
Studio 180 Design tool will I be using for my project? Studio 180 Design
provided all of the Ambassadors with new tools. As a Certified Instructor for
Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design, I already have all the necessary tools and
technique sheets. When I received my Island Batik Ambassador Box, I discovered
a gold package and a note stating, "Do not open until
February." This left me curious about what could be in the gold
package.
As I
opened my gold package, I was filled with excitement. As a Certified
Instructor, Studio 180 Design sent me a new Pint Size Wedge Star tool, which
was absolutely adorable! The public has been requesting a smaller version of
the tool that helps create small-sized units, and Deb Tucker from Studio 180
Design has answered with this forthcoming release!
The size difference becomes apparent when you place
the two Wedge Star tools side by side. The Pint Size tool allows you to create
all 3 Wedge Star Blocks in 11 different sizes, from 2” finished to 12”. It works with all the Studio 180 Design WedgeStar Technique Sheets.
If you are
familiar with the Original Wedge Star tool, you will appreciate the new compact
version, which functions just like the original. It includes the same cutting
lines for cutting out those shapes such as Small Wedges, Large Wedges, and
Diamonds. You also have the exact same trim-down lines for making your Wedge
Star units.
My plan
was to create a vibrant Wedge Star sampler bed runner that highlights the
colors from the Cosmic collection, along with samples of different sizes and
Wedge Star blocks using the Pint Size Wedge Star.
My runner
is made from 19 fabrics from the Cosmic collection, combined with Island Batik
Solid White for the background. It features 53 Wedge Star blocks, varying in
size from 3 inches to 12 inches. Many of these blocks are created using the
Studio 180 Design Wedge Star Technique Sheets.
Let me
show you the sizes and Wedge Star Blocks used in this runner. We will start
with the largest size first.
I began
with a 12” center block that featured my favorite Candle Tip Wedge technique
sheet from the Wedge Star block.
Next, I
created four different 6” blocks, including the Wedge Star, Fractured Wedge,
Edged Wedge, and Diamond Four Patch Wedge blocks.
The next step was to create 4" blocks that consisted of a Wedge Star, two Twisted Wedge Stars, and an edge wedge.
Then I
finished making 3” blocks, which include Twisted Wedge Stars, Wedge Star, and
Mixed Wedges.
I also added 3' Wedge blocks to create some accent for the whole runner.
When you
combine all the Wedge Star Blocks and add white background filler pieces,
you create a beautiful runner that measures 60” x 30”, which fits perfectly on
my queen-size bed. My little helpers also love having the runner on the bed.
I
assembled my project with a BERNINA 740 sewing machine and a combination
of Schmetz 80/12 needles and 6722 Aurifil thread.
I quilted
my runner on my BERNINA Q16 using White 2026 Aurifil thread from my stash,
incorporating simple ruler work to make the Wedge Star blocks really stand out.
I used some of the Cosmic white on the back of the quilt.
The
following products I used in this blog post were provided by Island Batik for
Lumin Fabrics, Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Design, Aurifil Thread, Oliso, and
Schmetz Needles.
Now, Island Batik has a great giveaway that allows you to win one of the Fat Quarter bundles of a complete collection giveaway, Whispering Woods by Jerry Khiev or Cosmis by Jackie Kunkel of Canton Village Quilt Works. Be sure to visit and enter below or on the
Island Batik Blog for a chance to win. Just follow the simple Rafflecopter prompts below to enter.
Also,
don’t forget to check out all 22 Island Batik Ambassadors to see their
beautiful projects. Stay tuned! All 22 runners will be featured in the Island
Batik Ambassador’s Viewer’s Choice contest on February 28th. You will have a
chance to vote for your favorite runner and win a prize at the same time.
