Island Batik Ambassador August Hot Stuff Challenge

 

The Island Batik Ambassadors have a new challenge this month. At the start of the year, each ambassador received an Oliso M3 Pro iron along with a small carrying bag for their irons, provided by our sponsor, Oliso. For August, our challenge is to decorate these small iron carrying bags. We can use various techniques, including quilting, embroidery, appliqué, paint, and more.

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.

I decided to use my Studio 180 Design Star 60 tool to create a variety of units that finish at 1 ½ inches. 

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!

 

Island Batik Ambassador – July Unboxing Reveal

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. 

March It's All Up to You Challenge - Capped 60 Runner

March’s Island Batik Ambassador Challenge is called "It’s All Up to You," meaning the Ambassadors have a month to create any project of any size, theme, and technique using Island Batik fabrics. This gives us a chance to have a little fun this month.

What was I going to make this month? I knew I had the Sunlit Garden Strip Set and Coordinating fabrics, including Egg White from the Neutrals collection and Vibes from the Marvelous Multis. But what could I do with Strip sets? I wanted to make a new spring table runner for my coffee table.

While reviewing my Studio 180 Design Technique Sheets, I discovered a Star 60 technique that I enjoy working with called the Capped 60. I then opened Adobe Illustrator on my computer, where I kept all my Star 60 shapes, and located a project that needed a few adjustments for a table runner. Now that I had the design prepared, it was time to tackle this quick and easy project.

The project started with the creation of strip sets. I took half of the stack of fabric, cut the strips in half, and began sewing the strips together randomly, pressing all the seams open as I went. This strip set-making method is known as the Mirrored Image Capped 60.

With all my strip sets prepared, I began cutting my oversized Capped 60 units from the half-strip width sets.

Once they are cut out, I need to trim the sides and bottoms of the triangles to the size of the finished capped 60-unit size.

After trimming down the fabric, I divided the stack in half. I then began arranging the units and companion triangles, which I had cut from strips of the Egg White fabric. I randomly placed one stack of the units on one side, replicated that arrangement on the opposite side, and added the Egg White companion triangles down the middle to create rows.

I created half triangles from rectangles and used the Star 60 tool to complete the rows by adding them to each end. I carefully sew the triangles together to maintain my arrangement on the design board.

Pressing the seams is essential for keeping everything flat while I work with these units. Once I have sewn all the triangles into a row, I can add the half-triangles to each end of the row to square it off.

After assembling two rows, I carefully sew them together. I repeat this process for all the rows to create a long runner. To finish off the quilt top, I add a thin border.

I used Schmetz needles and Aurifil thread in my Bernina sewing machine to create the quilt top.

I quilted the runner using Hobbs batting on my Bernina Q16 sit-down machine, trying out a circle ruler for the first time. It took me a little while to learn how to use it, but once I found my rhythm, the process went quickly. Considering this was my first attempt, I am pleased with how the quilting turned out. For the back and binding, I chose Island Batik Vibes from the Marvelous Multis collection.

Thank you for joining me as I shared my March project. Be sure to check out the other Island Batik Ambassadors listed below to see what they are working on.

Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs
Renee Atkinson ~ Pink Tulip Quilting
Susan Deshensky ~ Lady Blue Quilts Studio
Brittany Fisher ~ Bobbin with Brittany

Kimberly Flannagan ~ Kimberly’s Quilts

Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts

Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts

Kim Jamieson-Hirst ~ Chatterbox Quilts
Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
Connie Kresin Campbell ~ Freemotion by the River
Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood

Denise Looney ~ A Quiltery
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Susan Michaels ~ Dragonfly Fiberart
Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion
Sarah Pitcher ~ Pitcher’s Boutique

Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail
Carol Stanek ~ Stitch with Color
Solomae Stoycoff ~ Cuddle Cat Quiltworks
Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations
Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt

Island Batik 2025 Ambassador Unboxing Video Part 2

My second box from Island Batik arrived a couple of days ago. It was filled with products to help Island Batik Ambassadors finish quilts and a few extra goodies. Let me show you what I received. Check out the video and images below to see what was in the box.

Hobbs Batting, a long-time sponsor of Island Batik, provided us with various types of batting to assist with the finishing process of each project.

I have received multiple rolls of Heirloom Cotton Batting in Queen Size, specifically Premium, Natural, and 80/20 Black options. I have also received a queen-size Tuscany Collection 100% Wool Batting from Hobbs Batting.

Hobbs provided the Island Batik Ambassadors with Simply Stuffing to help them complete our Funky Friends Challenge. This stuffing is made of 100% polyester and is incredibly soft. I love using it to make stuffed animals.

Thank you, Hobbs, for providing these excellent products!

In the box, I found a beautiful 10-inch square stack called Jabberwocky, sent by Island Batik. This fabric is part of the Winter 2024 Fabric Collections. I also received two yards of Light/Neutral and Dark Foundation fabrics coordinating with the stack.

I’m looking forward to creating something colorful with this collection!

The last package in the box was a complete mystery and a surprise. It was wrapped in beautiful gold paper and came with a note addressed to me, telling me DO NOT OPEN UNTIL FEB 2025. We must wait until February to find out what is inside the package. 

All the boxes have arrived, so it's time to start my February Island Batik Ambassador project. Stay tuned for more updates on these projects.

Below is the list of the 2025 Ambassadors:

Brenda Alburl- https://songbirddesigns.blog

Renee Atkinson- https://wordpress.com/posts/pinktulipquilting.studio

Susan Deshensky- www.ladybluequilts.com/blog

Tina Dillard- https://quiltingaffection.blogspot.com/

Brittany Fisher- www.bobbinwithbrittany.com

Kimberly Flannagan- https://www.kimberlysquilts.com/blog

Preeti Harris- https://sewpreetiquilts.blogspot.com

Mania Hatziioannidi- www.maniaforquilts.com

Kim Jamieson-Hirst- https://www.chatterboxquilts.com/blog

Connie Kauffman- Kauffmandesigns.blogspot.com

Connie Kresin Campbell- https://conniekresin.com/

Emily Leachman- https://thedarlingdogwood.blogspot.com/

Denise Looney- https://quiltery.com

Leah Malasky- www.quilteddelights.com

Susan Michaels-https://dragonflyfiberart.blogspot.com/

Lisa Pickering- https://lisasquiltingpassion.blog/

Sarah Pitcher- www.pitchersboutique.com/blog-1

Gail Sheppard- https://quiltinggail.com/

Carol Stanek- stitchwithcolor.blogspot.com

Solomae Stoycoff- https://cuddlecatquiltworks.com

Jennifer Thomas- https://curlicuecreations.com

Suzy Webster- www.websterquilt.com