2016 Island Batik Ambassador

Last Friday, I received an email that I was selected as a 2016 Island Batik Ambassador. 

I’m so honored and thrilled to be selects.  I will get to work with some great designers and fabulous batiks.  I get to have fun designing and creating fun projects with Island Batik fabrics and blog about it. Can't Wait to get started.

I would like to give a big thank you to Carol Steely at Fun Thread Designs, for telling me about the Ambassador program and to Island Batiks.  

Island Batiks has busy schedule for us Ambassadors starting this month. So be sure you sign up for my blog to get the latest updates on Island Batiks fabrics.

Split End Orange Peel Quilt Top Finished!

I spent all day yesterday working on the decorative stitching around all the melons on the quilt top.  By the end of the day I was able to trim up the excess background fabric. So today I was able to sew on the borders.

I started with the inner border which is 1 1/2" pieces cut from the background fabric.  I sewed on the width pieces first and then sewed on the length pieces.  This makes it looked finished, but  I still have one more set of borders to make.

The next set of borders, takes the set of    2 1/2" strips that I aside from the preparation process.  I cut 4- 2 1/2" x 10" bricks and with the rest of them                2 1/2" x  6 1/2" blocks then I sewed the bricks together.  To do this, I first made 2 sets of four and sewed them end to end. Once those were completed, I added the    4 - 2 1/2" x 10" brick at each of the ends.  Pressed the seams to either side.  Then I then needed to make 2 more sets, but this time sets of 8.

Once I had the borders sewn on the set of 8 borders, with the seams centered with the seams of the melons as much as possible.  Once I had them sewn on, I press the side borders open.  Then I centered the borders on the top and bottom of the quilt top and I pressed the final seams open.  I finally completed the quilt top and I love it!  

After completing the quilt top this afternoon, I made a trip to Material Girls Quilt Shop and picked up the backing and binding for the it. For the binding I will be using the background fabric and for the backing I will be using the fabric that inspired all these Batik colors. 

Overall, this was a great pattern, I have made several notes on what to remember for the next time. I would love to do this patten again, in a different color scheme this time.  Tomorrow, I will finish getting the backing ready for the long-arm.

Tina

Split End Orange Peel Quilt Top Finished!

I spent all day yesterday working on the decorative stitching around all the melons on the quilt top.  By the end of the day I was able to trim up the excess background fabric. So today I was able to sew on the borders.

I started with the inner border which is 1 1/2" pieces cut from the background fabric.  I sewed on the width pieces first and then sewed on the length pieces.  This makes it looked finished, but  I still have one more set of borders to make.

The next set of borders, takes the set of    2 1/2" strips that I aside from the preparation process.  I cut 4- 2 1/2" x 10" bricks and with the rest of them                2 1/2" x  6 1/2" blocks then I sewed the bricks together.  To do this, I first made 2 sets of four and sewed them end to end. Once those were completed, I added the    4 - 2 1/2" x 10" brick at each of the ends.  Pressed the seams to either side.  Then I then needed to make 2 more sets, but this time sets of 8.

Once I had the borders sewn on the set of 8 borders, with the seams centered with the seams of the melons as much as possible.  Once I had them sewn on, I press the side borders open.  Then I centered the borders on the top and bottom of the quilt top and I pressed the final seams open.  I finally completed the quilt top and I love it!  

After completing the quilt top this afternoon, I made a trip to Material Girls Quilt Shop and picked up the backing and binding for the it. For the binding I will be using the background fabric and for the backing I will be using the fabric that inspired all these Batik colors. 

Overall, this was a great pattern, I have made several notes on what to remember for the next time. I would love to do this patten again, in a different color scheme this time.  Tomorrow, I will finish getting the backing ready for the long-arm.

Tina

Split Orange Peel Day 2!

Day two of the Split Orange Peel quilt top, started with finishing cutting out the row sets into melon shapes. After cutting all the melons out,  I cut the half melon shape out from the row sets.  Then counted to make sure I had enough melons and realized that I was short on both the full and half melon shapes.  Then decided to make another four row set and cut them out, and it gave me a few more to work with for the layout.

I put all the melons to a side and set up the pattern board with the background fabric to add the grid on the fabric. To set up the grid I laid the background fabric on the pattern board using the grid lines marking the 1" by sticking T-pins in the pattern board, then marking with T-pins every 6" between the the 1" markers.  Once I place all the T-pins I used a quilters chalk line and snap lines making 6 x 8 grid on the fabric.

After I had all the grid lines in place I laid out all the melons on the grid lines, leaving the half melon shapes until all the center melons placed on the top.  Once I had all the full melons in placed I placed all the half melon shapes on the outer line with the flat part hanging over 1/4" the line for the seam allowance.


After I placed all the melons I press them down with a small iron to make sure everything was fused correctly to the background fabric.

My next step will be to sew all the melons to the background with a decorative stitch, and sew on the borders, but probably won't happen until next week, due to there is yard work to be done this weekend.

Tina

Split Orange Peel Day 2!

Day two of the Split Orange Peel quilt top, started with finishing cutting out the row sets into melon shapes. After cutting all the melons out,  I cut the half melon shape out from the row sets.  Then counted to make sure I had enough melons and realized that I was short on both the full and half melon shapes.  Then decided to make another four row set and cut them out, and it gave me a few more to work with for the layout.

I put all the melons to a side and set up the pattern board with the background fabric to add the grid on the fabric. To set up the grid I laid the background fabric on the pattern board using the grid lines marking the 1" by sticking T-pins in the pattern board, then marking with T-pins every 6" between the the 1" markers.  Once I place all the T-pins I used a quilters chalk line and snap lines making 6 x 8 grid on the fabric.

After I had all the grid lines in place I laid out all the melons on the grid lines, leaving the half melon shapes until all the center melons placed on the top.  Once I had all the full melons in placed I placed all the half melon shapes on the outer line with the flat part hanging over 1/4" the line for the seam allowance.


After I placed all the melons I press them down with a small iron to make sure everything was fused correctly to the background fabric.

My next step will be to sew all the melons to the background with a decorative stitch, and sew on the borders, but probably won't happen until next week, due to there is yard work to be done this weekend.

Tina

My Favorite Shops - Michelle's Quilts

This week I would like to highlight one of my favorite local quilts shops, Michelle's Quilts, in Hughesville, Maryland.

The owner Michelle and her husband run the shop, along with her daughter.  The shop carries a huge selection of fabrics including Moda, Benartex, Northcott also a good selection of Batiks.   They also have a large selection of threads, from Superior, Mettler, and Floriani.  For the machine embroiderer they carry a great selection of Floriani thread and stablizers.  She also carries the a extensive selection of notions, books and patterns.  For those that like to do their own designs, she carries a great selection of software for designing machine embroider patterns.

Michelle's is the local authorized Brother Dealer.  She is very knowledgeable in the Brother machines, and all of the servicing of the machines are done in the store by a factory trained technician.  They also an authorized dealer of the Handiquilter Longarm machines.  Michelle has a couple in the store, that she uses for a quilting service which she also offers.

Now the most important thing I think Michelle's Quilts has is it friendly atmosphere and helpful attitude. As soon as you walk in the store, Michelle makes you feel like old friend. She is always willing to drop everything and answer any questions or help in any way. Her husband and daughter are the same way. So you will always feel welcome. So if you are ever in the area of Hughesville, Maryland, stop by, I know you will be glad you did.

Enjoy,

Tina

My Favorite Shops - Michelle's Quilts

This week I would like to highlight one of my favorite local quilts shops, Michelle's Quilts, in Hughesville, Maryland.

The owner Michelle and her husband run the shop, along with her daughter.  The shop carries a huge selection of fabrics including Moda, Benartex, Northcott also a good selection of Batiks.   They also have a large selection of threads, from Superior, Mettler, and Floriani.  For the machine embroiderer they carry a great selection of Floriani thread and stablizers.  She also carries the a extensive selection of notions, books and patterns.  For those that like to do their own designs, she carries a great selection of software for designing machine embroider patterns.

Michelle's is the local authorized Brother Dealer.  She is very knowledgeable in the Brother machines, and all of the servicing of the machines are done in the store by a factory trained technician.  They also an authorized dealer of the Handiquilter Longarm machines.  Michelle has a couple in the store, that she uses for a quilting service which she also offers.

Now the most important thing I think Michelle's Quilts has is it friendly atmosphere and helpful attitude. As soon as you walk in the store, Michelle makes you feel like old friend. She is always willing to drop everything and answer any questions or help in any way. Her husband and daughter are the same way. So you will always feel welcome. So if you are ever in the area of Hughesville, Maryland, stop by, I know you will be glad you did.

Enjoy,

Tina

My favorite quilt shops - WebFabrics.net

On Thursdays, I will be highlighting my favorite quilting shops that I like to visit.  I find these shops help provide quilting inspiration when I am searching for new ideas. 

The my overall favorite online/brick and mortar quilt shop is Web Fabrics.  I first ran across the name at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton, Virginia.  They had a very nice selection and display of fabrics set up at the show.  The ladies at the show were really nice and helpful to everyone. 

The brick and mortar part of the store is located in Purcellville, Virginia. From the outside it looks small, but looks in this case are deceiving.  Once you enter the store, you walk into heaven. Huge amounts of fabrics everywhere including a very nice section devoted to Batik  and Bali Fabrics.  The shop carries all the major fabric companies, so if you are looking for Contemporary, Traditional, Reproductions or even Novelty Fabrics, they have it.  They also have a large selection of Fat Quarters, Notions and books.  The staff is very helpful and willing to help you pick out what you are looking for.

The online store, is what makes it one of the top online quilt stores.  You can search varies ways to find the fabric you are looking for, if it is by Company, Color or even theme.  Once you locate the fabrics you want you can compare them on the design wall they have on the site.  This is very helpful in looking for that right combination.  The shop also offers a yearly block of the month, where you tell them 3-4 different colors and they will send you the fabric with a fabric key, and monthly block through email.  They are lots of fun.

Webfabrics.net is usually the first stop on my online quilting shop for when I need to look for inspiration or particular in fabrics.

When you get a chance take a look at this fantastic quilt shop, or if you are in Northern Virginia sometime, take time to visit the shop.

Tina 

My favorite quilt shops - WebFabrics.net

On Thursdays, I will be highlighting my favorite quilting shops that I like to visit.  I find these shops help provide quilting inspiration when I am searching for new ideas. 

The my overall favorite online/brick and mortar quilt shop is Web Fabrics.  I first ran across the name at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton, Virginia.  They had a very nice selection and display of fabrics set up at the show.  The ladies at the show were really nice and helpful to everyone. 

The brick and mortar part of the store is located in Purcellville, Virginia. From the outside it looks small, but looks in this case are deceiving.  Once you enter the store, you walk into heaven. Huge amounts of fabrics everywhere including a very nice section devoted to Batik  and Bali Fabrics.  The shop carries all the major fabric companies, so if you are looking for Contemporary, Traditional, Reproductions or even Novelty Fabrics, they have it.  They also have a large selection of Fat Quarters, Notions and books.  The staff is very helpful and willing to help you pick out what you are looking for.

The online store, is what makes it one of the top online quilt stores.  You can search varies ways to find the fabric you are looking for, if it is by Company, Color or even theme.  Once you locate the fabrics you want you can compare them on the design wall they have on the site.  This is very helpful in looking for that right combination.  The shop also offers a yearly block of the month, where you tell them 3-4 different colors and they will send you the fabric with a fabric key, and monthly block through email.  They are lots of fun.

Webfabrics.net is usually the first stop on my online quilting shop for when I need to look for inspiration or particular in fabrics.

When you get a chance take a look at this fantastic quilt shop, or if you are in Northern Virginia sometime, take time to visit the shop.

Tina 

A little California quilting shopping

A couple days before we left to come home from California, we decided to brave the wind and rain to adventure out and do a little quilt shopping in Chico, California, a college town about a hour and half from Cottonwood where we were staying.  

The first shop we visited The Rabbits Hole quilt shop.  When you first pull up to the store it looks very small, but actually it is a nice size shop.  As we walk in, we were greeted by the very friendly and helpful staff.  The store is very well organized, neat and loaded with lots of fabric.  The over all fabric selection is very nice, and well organized through out the store which included a large selection of batik fabrics.  They also offer a long arm quilting service that is located right in the store. They do have a nice selection of notions and books. Both and Diane and I came out with some nice fabrics including more turquoise fabric for my Easy Street mystery quilt.

The next shop we visited was the Honey Run quilting shop, located inside Cathy's sewing and vac shop. They have a large variety of antique and new sewing machines all over the front of the store. For the new machines they carry Baby Locks, Janome, Brothers, and many more.  They also carry 4, 6 and 10 needle embroidery machines, plus a large assortment of embroidery supplies. The quilt shop is located in the back quarter of of the sew and vac store. As you walk into that area of the store, they have a nice selection of Amy Butler, Kaffe Fassett, Batik, and other fabrics.  Diane fell in love with the voile fabrics. Voile is a softer, and sheerer fabric.  She found a nice pattern and picked up three contrasting voile fabrics, with the assistance of the friendly staff, who helped us lay it out.  In the back of the store, they had a nice assortment of fabrics as low as $6.95 per yard.  This is where I found a few that I could use to finish an old UFO applique project.  I also found a pretty snowflake pattern made with Batik blue fabrics and the snow flakes  appliqued on to the top. It will be a nice laps size quilt for the winter time.    

If I lived in that area I would definitely go back to these shops.  Both have very friendly customer services and great fabric selections. 

It was great day of shopping and exploring in Chico, California.

Tina 

A little California quilting shopping

A couple days before we left to come home from California, we decided to brave the wind and rain to adventure out and do a little quilt shopping in Chico, California, a college town about a hour and half from Cottonwood where we were staying.  

The first shop we visited The Rabbits Hole quilt shop.  When you first pull up to the store it looks very small, but actually it is a nice size shop.  As we walk in, we were greeted by the very friendly and helpful staff.  The store is very well organized, neat and loaded with lots of fabric.  The over all fabric selection is very nice, and well organized through out the store which included a large selection of batik fabrics.  They also offer a long arm quilting service that is located right in the store. They do have a nice selection of notions and books. Both and Diane and I came out with some nice fabrics including more turquoise fabric for my Easy Street mystery quilt.

The next shop we visited was the Honey Run quilting shop, located inside Cathy's sewing and vac shop. They have a large variety of antique and new sewing machines all over the front of the store. For the new machines they carry Baby Locks, Janome, Brothers, and many more.  They also carry 4, 6 and 10 needle embroidery machines, plus a large assortment of embroidery supplies. The quilt shop is located in the back quarter of of the sew and vac store. As you walk into that area of the store, they have a nice selection of Amy Butler, Kaffe Fassett, Batik, and other fabrics.  Diane fell in love with the voile fabrics. Voile is a softer, and sheerer fabric.  She found a nice pattern and picked up three contrasting voile fabrics, with the assistance of the friendly staff, who helped us lay it out.  In the back of the store, they had a nice assortment of fabrics as low as $6.95 per yard.  This is where I found a few that I could use to finish an old UFO applique project.  I also found a pretty snowflake pattern made with Batik blue fabrics and the snow flakes  appliqued on to the top. It will be a nice laps size quilt for the winter time.    

If I lived in that area I would definitely go back to these shops.  Both have very friendly customer services and great fabric selections. 

It was great day of shopping and exploring in Chico, California.

Tina