Scrapbuster Challenge for Island Batik

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The March Island Batik Ambassador Challenge was the perfect time to try a technique presented at a guild meeting several years ago. Of course, I couldn't find my notes or remember the name of the design but loved the quilt so it was time to test my memory. My stash of Island Batik scraps was plentiful for a project made better by variety.

Island Batik along with their industry partners, Hobbs Batting, Schmetz Needles and Aurifil Thread provided the batik fabric, batting, sewing machine needles and thread used in this project for my role as an Island Batik Ambassador.

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A test block required two four inch squares, one light and one dark. The third square was cut five inches square in a dark batik. The three squares create a block with nine pieces. This gave the illusion that I had stitched and cut much more than actually required.

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With the test block completed, the scrapbuster quilt continued. A.) cutting 99 light and 99 dark colored 4" X 4" squares from my Island Batik scrap stash. B.) Half of the light and half of the dark squares are pressed to indicate the diagonal cutting line. C.) After stitching all four edges, pivoting at each corner, one layer of the block is cut open on pressed lines. D). 99 blocks are pressed open on the Blooming Square Block. This created five-inch blocks. Many thanks to Island Batik Ambassador, Mania Hatziioannidi from Quilts for Mania, for identifying the name of this block. All blocks are stitched with neutral Aurifil thread.

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After all 99 four-inch squares 'bloomed' into five-inch blocks the next round was added by the same method. A.) A total of 50 light and 50 dark five-inch squares of Island Batik are cut from my large scrap stash, a result of my fourth year as an Island Batik Ambassador. B.) Each dark block will be paired with a light block while each light block will be paired with a dark. C.) A faster, easier method was devised to cut the center 'X' for turning. Rather than cutting after stitching all four edges, the 'X' was PARTIALLY cut with the rotary cutter and ruler BEFORE stitching blocks together. After stitching all four sides, scissors were used to complete the “X” cut to the stitching line.

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Ninety-nine blocks bloomed with the addition of the 5” square. A.). Light and dark blocks are alternated in rows and columns. B.) Eleven rows and nine columns are ready to stitch with Schmetz Needles and Aurifil thread. C.) Adobe InDesign desktop publishing program was used to create a row/column label for each block. D.) Identifying information was printed on Avery labels. E.) Each block was quickly and easily labeled with its location to prevent mix up as they are stitched together.

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Those 891 little pieces were arranged, stitched and pressed. Island Batik Neutral Rice highlighted the blocks with an inner border while Marble Storm Midnight frames with a dark, wider border. It's off to the Handi Quilter Amara next.

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Annabelle, my Handi Quilter Amara, was loaded with backing fabric, Tuscany 100% Wool by Hobbs and the quilt top. BudHE2E design by TJ Speiser Stitch Happy was selected for use the computerized Pro-Stitcher. The wool batting really shows off the quilting while producing an oh-so-cozy quilt.

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This was the first time I've ever posted a completed monthly challenge on the first day of the month. The Bursting Square pattern was a tough one for me as the design intentionally cuts off all those corners. Fortunately, the fun of brilliant colors and tiny pieces allowed my “must be perfect’ self to totally ignore that issues. This quilt finished as a generous 64” X 76” lap quilt.

A few details.

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Hats off to Island Batik for the generous supply of fabrics supplied for the ambassador monthly challenges along with professional yet warm support. Thank you as well to their industry partners.

Sally Manke's mission is to delight others with textile art that exemplifies her passion for joyful, creative expression through color and texture. She is a speaker, teacher, pattern designer, Island Batik Ambassador, and fiber artist. Contact her to book a workshop or trunk show at her here.