Island Batik Try a Tool Blog Hop
It’s time for some more quilting fun. This month it is the Island Batik “Try a Tool” blog hop with one of the rulers from Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Designs. I was really excited about this one for a couple of reasons. First, it is always loads of fun getting new fabrics to work with and second, I have never used one of the Studio 180 Designs rulers and could not wait to give it a try.
The Island Batik ambassadors got their second shipment in July and I was lucky enough to get the stunning line shown in the quilt. I started designing right away because I really wanted to take my quilt with me on vacation. I know I know… that is kind of weird, but we went out to Los Angeles and the surrounding areas and I thought that the fabrics would look great in that landscape (lots of pics are below).
Disclosure: The products in this post were generously provided by Island Batik, Aurifil, Hobbs Batting and Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Designs.
I call my quilt “Butterly Wings” because of the way the blocks fit together.
Because of the way the ruler I received works, you end up with a lot of usable trimmings. I put them to good use making a small wall hanging for my studio. As you may know, I always love a scrappy quilt and I’m happy with the way this scrap buster turned out.
About the Quilts
I recorded this quick video which tells you all about both of the quilts and the ruler I used. Enjoy!
For my “Butterfly Wings” quilt I used the Studio 180 Designs Corner Beam Tool. With the exception two of the dark blues that I used for the binding, I used all of the fabrics in the line I was given and placed them in an ombré order.
I added one border to make the blocks look like they were floating. For the outside border I pieced together some of the left over trimmings that were created from tool. I thought it added a nice frame and some movement to the design.
I made this smaller wall hanging called “Shards of Glass” with the trimmings that were left over after making the corner beam blocks with the ruler. Many of the fabrics in the collection remind me of sea glass and with the sharp points, I thought they looked like pieces of broken glass.
About the Fabric
For this blog hop I got the gorgeous new Island Batik line called “Proud Peacock”. It was designed by Kathy Engle and is in stores as of September, 2021. The twenty different fabrics in the line are filled with greens, blues, teals, purples and even a few butter yellows. Just scrumptious! Right away the fabrics reminded of me of the sea and sky.
For the background I used “Sprinkles” from the Island Batik Foundations Neutrals line.
About the Ruler
The industry sponsor for this month’s blog hop was Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Designs. They provided all 24 of the ambassadors with various rulers. I received the Corner Beam and immediately started playing around with it. Not only did I want to show off what the tool could do, I wanted to show off the fabrics too.
Easy to use, this ruler is quite versatile. As you can see in the quilt, I set my blocks on point to get that desired wing effect.
One of the parts I particularly like about this ruler is that after trimming, you end up with extra triangles. I used some of them for the border of my “Butterfly Wings” quilt. Since I’ve never met a scrap of fabric that I don’t like so I made my second quilt out of the rest of the trimmings.
Other Supplies Used
Hobbs generously supplied batting in our ambassador boxes and I went with their fusible batting. All I can say is wow!. It made quilting this piece so easy and best of all I did not have to baste! I hate basting quilts and try to avoid it at all costs. I will definitely be getting some more of that batting!
To piece and quilt both quilts I used Aurifil #4661 and it worked out perfectly with the fabrics I used.
My Island Batik Try a Tool Blog Hop Quilt Takes a Vacation
I couldn’t resist taking my quilt on my family vacation. My husband and daughter obliged me by taking pictures. The fabrics blended so nicely with some of the scenery in Southern California. It was our first visit and it was wonderful. I should say it was wonderful except for the traffic. I’m not sure how people can drive around LA. Yikes!
The first two pictures are from our visit to Joshua Tree National Park. I wish we had spent a couple of days there. It was absolutely stunning. Of course, us East coasters did not know quite what to do with the temperature that hit 105˚ that day. Phew was it hot.
I could not resist posing next to one of those iconic California lifeguard stations and the gloriously blue pacific ocean. Almost every color in the fabric line was in that beautiful ocean.
I did not have a chance to finish my smaller quilt before we went so the only vacation it got was to take photos of it on my deck.
27 Comments
Jennifer Fulton
August 25, 2021 at 8:55 AMSuch a beautiful collection! Can’t believe you got your quilt done so early you could take them with you for photography. It looks so cool in the various locations.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
August 25, 2021 at 10:18 AMThanks so much Jennifer. I appreciate it although my family rolled their eyes when I would pull out the quilt on our trip – I knew August was going to be super busy (vacation & taking our daughter to college) that I had to get it done right away! I’m taking a breather now.
Joyce Carter
August 25, 2021 at 9:42 AMBeautiful quilt and wonderful pictures! ( When I first looked at your quilt, the background looked like raindrops. Maybe because we have had so much lately, rain has been on my mind.) I really like the second quilt also. Thank you for sharing today.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
August 25, 2021 at 10:19 AMThank you Joyce – That is very kind of you. The background fabric does have teeny grey flecks on it so that might be the trick on the eyes. Glad you liked the quilts.
Becky Turner
August 25, 2021 at 10:38 AMLove that Quilt!!!
And your color layout is so eye catching!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
August 25, 2021 at 6:00 PMI really appreciate that Becky. Thank you.
Quilting Tangent
August 25, 2021 at 10:40 AMBeautiful quilts! Great use of the scrapes.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
August 25, 2021 at 6:00 PMMany thanks! I’ve never met a scrap I didn’t like!
Nancy Bird
August 25, 2021 at 10:42 AMIt also reminded me of tears falling, and ice crystals – love it! You did a wonderful job on both quilts!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
August 25, 2021 at 6:01 PMI really appreciate that Nancy. Thank you. I also thought of raindrops as another option.
Teri
August 25, 2021 at 12:03 PMWhen I first saw your quilt I thought of rain drops in the desert. Love the colors and quilt design.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
August 25, 2021 at 6:01 PMThank you Teri. I thought of that too and believe me that day, rain would have been welcome. But boy was it beautiful in that desert.
Jennifer Thomas
August 25, 2021 at 12:21 PMGreat video and I love both of your quilts! How fun to take vacation photos with your quilt. I always pack a quilt in my suitcase, but only for sleeping under. Have a great day!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
August 25, 2021 at 6:02 PMHi Jennifer and thanks! I think we will be laughing about that for a long time to come. It took up a fair amount of space on my carry one.
Lori Smanski
August 25, 2021 at 1:30 PMwow what gorgeous fabrics. your quilts are stunning. thanks for sharing and inspiring. I love to take a quilt when going on vacation. never know what the weather will be like or if needed.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
August 25, 2021 at 6:03 PMLori – That is true about the weather. This was a bit too small to keep me warm, but it was fun to take pics. I did get some looks at certain places. Glad you like the quilt!
Cindy Shelley
August 25, 2021 at 2:03 PMI love your quilts. It is always great when you can get a 2 for 1 quilt with the trimmings.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
August 25, 2021 at 6:04 PMThank you so much Cindy. I always love getting 2 for 1 as well.
Julie Bailey
August 25, 2021 at 7:05 PMGreat quilt and love the border. I also like when I can get a second quilt from the left overs.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
August 26, 2021 at 7:21 AMSometimes those surprise quilts are my favorites. Thanks for stopping by!
Christi
August 26, 2021 at 3:32 AMI love the quilt design and the fabrics are wonderful.
Cecilia
August 26, 2021 at 8:02 AMCool looking quilt! I love the colors in that collection.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
August 26, 2021 at 3:28 PMThanks Cecelia – I appreciate and I agree, the colors in this fabric line are gorgeous!
Leisa
August 26, 2021 at 8:32 AMClaudia I love your quilt….It reminds me of a summer rain! I have DT’s Corner Beam ruler. She has lots of wondrous tools that help one make complicated blocks
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
August 26, 2021 at 3:30 PMThank you – I appreciate it and I will definitely be looking at some of her other rulers too.
Connie Kauffman
August 26, 2021 at 12:49 PMGreat quilt. Love the fabrics. So impressed with your videos! I got the same ruler :0)
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
August 26, 2021 at 3:30 PMThanks so much Connie – I appreciate that. I’m loving this ruler!