Try A Technique - March Island Batik Ambassador Challenge

Our challenge this month as Island Batik Ambassadors was to try something new - a sewing or quilting technique that we had not done before. 

Well, that took some thinking!  As ambassadors, we brainstormed a really long list but I had already done a lot of them.  So I decided to try a technique that was on my bucket list.  A Convergence Quilt using Ricky Tims method. After all, I had bought the book 6 years ago, so it was about time I tried it :) 

I selected four fabrics that I received from Island Batik as part of their Brand Ambassador program.   I cut 14" squares and arranged them in a four-patch layout.  

Next the fun began ....  Following the instructions in the book, I sewed, slice, rearranged and resewed ... and ended up with this.

Then I repeated the process - slicing, rearranging and re-sewing - and presto, my convergence was complete!

I was tempted to leave it as is but I decided it needed borders.  So using the gallery of quilts in the book as inspiration, I opted for a pieced outer border with a narrow strip of orange for my inner border.  Since the fabrics were bold, I quilted a basic allover meander that would hold everything together without detracting from the fabrics.  Since it will be a wall hanging, I used Warm 80/20 batting from The Warm Company to keep it nice and flat. 

I finished off the quilt with an orange binding that matched the inner border.  So I can now say I have made a convergence quilt!  I can cross it off my bucket list - which makes room for more quilting projects :)   

And, of course, Miss Lilly had to put her "paw of approval" on the quilt top while I was trying to photograph it.  

Be sure to follow me on Facebook at Masterpiece Quilting or on IG: @masterpiecequilting

2018 Monthly Color Challenge: March = Yellow

Where has the month gone?  It's time for another new color and another new block in the 2018 Monthly Color Challenge.  Are you participating?  No?  Why Not?  If you aren't, there is still time for you to join in all the fun.  To get all the scoop, be sure to check out Jen's post.

Our color for the Month of March is Yellow... and I was really worried!  I'm not much of a yellow person.  I look horrible in it and I don't use it much in my quilts - but I was pleasantly surprised how much yellow I had in my stash.  I apparently I use it more than I think I do. 

Again this month I made both the 12" and 6" version of Jen's free block.  You can get a copy of the block pattern on her blog - see link below.  I did learn one thing - yellows are hard to photograph! If I were to make the blocks again, I would try to find more contrast between the fabrics or use prints to make it easier to distinguish them.  Apparently when I use yellow - I'm pretty focused on solids or tonals! 

I can't wait to see what your block looks like.  On Jen's blog you have an opportunity to share your blue block or anything made with yellow from March 21 to 28 to be eligible for prizes.  And speaking of prizes, the sponsor for this month is: Make Modern Magazine who is giving away 3, YES 3, six-month subscriptions to their magazine (which I absolutely LOVE!) 

Also be sure to visit the other bloggers who are participating this month.  This is always fun to see what everyone is making too!

Jen of Patterns by Jen

Jen of Dizzy Quilter

Sherry of Powered by Quilting

Jen of A Dream and A Stitch

Dione of Clever Chameleon Quilting 

And if you are playing along with us, make sure to use #2018monthlycolorchallenge on social media! And speaking of social media, be sure to follow me on IG: @Masterpiecequilting and Masterpiece Quilting on FB for sneak peeks and updates!