Island Batik - Secondary Pattern Quilt Challenge + Name the Pattern Giveaway

Secondary patterns often emerge from a quilt designs without intention! Layout, color placement, and value all contribute to quilt design and creative use of any or all of these things can give you not one but two patterns in your quilt. This month the Island Batik Brand Ambassadors are knocking it out of the park with new quilt designs featuring secondary patterns.

I used one of my new designs for this month's challenge. It's so new - the pattern doesn't even have a name yet! Will you help me name it? In the comments, please share the name you would give this pattern. If I select your name or a variation of it, you will receive a free copy of the pattern.

This quilt looks great not only hanging on the wall but also draped across the porch swing.  I love the bright fresh colors!  While designed for three fabrics, I used a scrappy mix of fabrics that all read as the same color. 

For an extra punch of color, I added a flange to the border before I applied the binding. 

The pattern for No-Name Quilt (honest, the file on my computer is labeled "No-Name Quilt") will be available soon, so be sure to follow me on IG: @Masterpiecequilting and Masterpiece Quilting on FB for the pattern release as well as sneak peeks and updates!

Island Batik - Modern Quilt Challenge

When someone mentions "modern quilt", admittedly batiks aren't the first fabrics that come to mind.  Typically we think of solids and the striking contrast that can be achieved with them.   But this month, the Island Batik Ambassadors are showing how batik fabrics can be used to create some really modern designs. 

I opted to use my new Modern Bars quilt pattern for this challenge.  I had designed this quilt in solids - but by selecting fabrics that read as solids it pulls off a modern look.  

I used a tan batik for the "background" fabric and then a variety of blue batiks for the bars.  The more I look at this quilt, the more I love it!  I used a lot of straight line quilting to further accentuate the modern look. 

The pattern for Modern Bars will be available soon, so be sure to follow me on IG: @Masterpiecequilting and Masterpiece Quilting on FB for the pattern release as well as sneak peeks and updates!

Island Batik September Challenge - Starstruck Challenge + Giveaway

This month the Island Batik Brand Ambassadors are Starstruck!  We have all been creating some beautiful quilts and quilted projects featuring stars. 

I'm a big "star" fan and design a lot of patterns with stars.  For this month's project, I opted to use my Star Bright pattern.  

I have been wanting to make this quilt in a different colorway and this was the perfect opportunity to do so.  I was so in love with the Lavendula Collection that I used for my August Island Batik project that I used the same collection again this month. 

Isn't it amazing how much a change in fabric changes the entire look of a quilt!  

I made the quilt slightly smaller than the pattern instructions so it is sized perfectly for a patio throw.  I enjoy being outside but with the nights getting a little cooler, a throw quilt is nice to snuggle up with while sitting in the swing. 

Since the fabrics were the focal point, I kept the quilting pretty simple and used an edge-to-edge pattern to bring some movement to the quilt. 

For some fun this month, leave me a comment with the color combination you would use to make Star Bright and you will be entered to win a free Star Bright pattern.  I'll keep the giveaway open until midnight EST October 7, 2018.  

Feel free to share this blog and the giveaway on social media.  The more the merrier! And speaking of social media, be sure to follow me on IG: @Masterpiecequilting and Masterpiece Quilting on FB for sneak peeks and updates!

The PBJ Border Quilt QAL - Center

I'm excited to be part of The Border Quilt QAL from Patterns by Jen.  Jen kicked off the QAL on September 12th and I wanted to share with you the progress I've made on my quilt.

In an earlier blog post, I asked you to help me decide which panel I should use for the center section. 

Well, the winter panel won... which is fine with me because I have another pattern designed for the other panel sections :) 

I love sewing with panels.  If you aren't confident with panels, be sure to check out my Learn to Quilt with Panels DVD and online class available from Annie's. 

My first step was to get my panel cut to size.  As you can see the actual panel was larger but I trimmed it to the needed width.  Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to only use part of a panel!  I think it really changed the focal point of the panel and you don't even realize it has been trimmed.  

I also trimmed and restitched the printed swirl border to bring it in closer to the panel center.  This allowed me to achieve the correct size for the center section. 

I'm working with stash yardage for my quilt and opted for a dark, hunter or evergreen fabric for the first border. 

So now I have my center section done!  yippee!!  

If you would like to be part of the Border Quilt QAL, you can join anytime.  Jen's blog post gives you all the options for purchasing the pattern as well as the other bloggers who are participating in the QAL.  

2018 Monthly Color Challenge: September = Red Violet

For August we are celebrating another one of my favorite colors - Red Violet. 

Surprisingly even though I have a lot of this color in my wardrobe, I have very little in my fabric stash!   Maybe I've used it all up :) 

If you are finding this blog post for the first time and aren't sure what we are talking about .... To get all the scoop, be sure to check out Jen's post.

I used Island Batik fabrics for my block.  The color saturation of the batiks is perfect for a block like this where we need lights, mediums and darks of the same color.  I will admit my light is a bit more pink than red-violet but I needed the contrast to make the block work.   Most of my stash was all medium and dark fabrics. 

I'm using Jen's pattern (available on her blog - see link below) and made both the 12" and 6" block this month.  

With only 3 more blocks to make, I'm tempted to work ahead and get started on the final quilt.   I'm still debating between a horizontal or vertical layout. 

I can't wait to see what your block looks like.  On Jen's blog you have an opportunity to share your red violet block or anything made with red violet from September 21 to 30 to be eligible for prizes.  


And speaking of prizes, the sponsor for this month is the Art Gallery Fabrics who are giving away one of their Phat Quarters in Vibrant Violet!  I love Art Gallery Fabrics - don't you? 

Also be sure to visit the other bloggers who are participating this month.  It's so much fun to see what fabrics everyone has selected and how different the same block looks with different fabric choices!

Jen Shaffer of Patterns By Jen
Jen Strauser of Dizzy Quilter
Sherry Shish of Powered By Quilting
Jen Rosin of A Dream and A Stitch
Dione Gardner-Stephen 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!