I hope you have been keeping up with the Island Batik Ambassador Four Seasons Blog Hop this month. Personally, I have enjoyed the parade of new fabrics that are arriving in our local quilt shops this month as well as the creativity of the ambassadors!
Technically this blog hop ends the 2017 Island Batik Ambassador program. It’s been a wonderful journey! Seems like yesterday I was waiting on my first ambassador box! So many adventures, so many blessings. Thank you, Island Batik for the opportunity! And thank you for the gift of the fabrics to be able to participate in this program!
Ah! But this rambler is just getting started! It’s not about farewells, it’s about endless summer – as this is the week of “summer” for the hop! So let’s hop right to it!
Presenting City Cultures 2
I received two boxes from Island Batik this year, the first one in February and the second one in July/August Each of my boxes had an abundance of fabrics and threads for our monthly challenges. Included was a bundle of “secret fabric” – fabrics that would preview at the Fall Market in Houston and be our focus for this blog hop.
My fabric bundle included 20 fat quarters from the line City Cultures 2.
I have to add that these are just 20 out of 40 in the line. While at Fall Market I picked up the catalog and a brochure to learn that the line is divided into four divisions, sorta like a city (duh) and my collection included the waterfront and industrial district. I thought it was sorta interesting as in my local area I am both close to the waterfront of the Houston Ship Channel, Galveston Bay, and of course the Gulf Coast itself, not to mention many oil refineries – this is Texas after all! Who knew fabric could so represent your life!
While at Fall Market I was able to meet Jaynne Crow, of Bella Nonna Design Studio, who is the signature collection designer for City Culture 2.
Planning for My City Culture 2 Quilt
Moving right along…I had this plan…and then I changed my mind…women are entitled to that don’t you know! Just a few weeks ago I decided I needed a pattern that was a little more modern and I chose Love Links from Studio 180 Design.
I actually met the gals of Running With Scissors at Fall Market who designed this quilt pattern – they are also fellow Studio 180 Design Certified Instructors! After making this quilt I am eager to try more of their designs. And yes, they are as fun as this photo reflects!
City Culture 2 in Progress
And sew it began…deciding which 10 fabrics I wanted to use for the pattern. I love that there are several sizes included from a mini 13″ x 14″ up to a kingsize. I chose the 39″ x 42″ and quickly pulled out my Wing Clipper tool to make the flying geese.
As I was trimming the units I realized that there would be duplicate “links” in the pattern and that’s when I had an inspiration – why use 10 fabrics when you can use all twenty! It was a stretch as Island Batik had provided a limited amount of background fabric and I’d already cut up and used most of it. Ah, but it was meant to be! (More in a moment about the “extra” units).
I don’t know what I enjoy most, the picking out of the fabric, the hum of the sewing machine, the quilting process or the peacefulness of hand binding…it’s all good! Just enjoying the process – all of it!
What About Those Extra Units?
Glad you asked! As an ambassador, I made a commitment to use the fabrics provided to me for monthly challenge projects. Well, we all know, sometimes life gets in the way and the home office is very good to understand a few delays every now and then…that said, and without much ado, I’d like to introduce to you Miss October, my belated Creative Borders and Binding quilt made from the leftover parts and pieces from this month’s challenge. I guess you could say “two for one” with this bundle of fat quarters!
I really had a lot of fun putting this one together – who knew you could get so many different looks from combining flying geese units! I think I’m going to call this City Geese or Geese in the City…I don’t know. Maybe I just call it finished is good!
That’s Not All Folks!
Did I neglect to mention that there are multiple giveaways with this blog hop? If you haven’t done so already you need to visit each ambassador for their individual giveaway (links below) as well as the grand prize from Island Batik.
Not to be outdone I will be giving away the pattern Love Links (goodness, not my copy – I want to make a big one!) as well as a 5″ stamp precuts of Island Batik fabrics. Keep reading to find the entry form. Good things come to those who wait!
In the meantime, I thought I’d share a few more photos of City Culture 2 “in the wild” – can you tell by the settings that I am truly wishing it was summer!
Oh! and I almost forgot! Yours truly is so excited to be joining the ranks of the 2018 Island Batik Ambassadors and I’m eagerly awaiting my new box of fabrics! It’s going to be another fabulous year so you will want to be sure to subscribe to The Quilt Rambler blog if you haven’t already done so!
Giveaway Time
I’m giving away a 5″ Island Stamps in the Caribbean Splash fabric to remind you of endless summer plus the pattern Love Links. Due to postage, I regret that only US residents can register for my giveaway. Multiple ways to enter including a fun question….you can’t win if you don’t play!
* Please note you have to scroll all the way to the bottom to leave a comment!
WINTER
January 8 – Blue Moon
Inquiring Quilter • Cheryl Lynch Quilts
January 9 – Mountain’s Majesty
FunThreads Designs • Little Bunny Quilts • Quilting Affection Designs
January 10 – Alpine Ice
Freemotion by the River • Slice of Pi Quilts
Seams Like a Dream • KISSed Quilts
January 11 – Alpine Jingle
Purrfect Spots Designs • Bejeweled Quilts
SPRING
January 15 – Elementz
Den syende himmel • Inspired Layers
January 16 – Southern Blooms
Yellow Cat Quilt Designs • Quiltologist Treasures
January 17 – Morning Sunshine
Quilt’n Party • Desert Bloom Quilting
January 18 – Season’s Shades
Inchworm Fabrics • Kauffman Designs
SUMMER
January 22 – Paisley Dot
Pamela Quilts • Seams Like a Dream • Mary Make Made Mine
January 23 – Sunflower Serenade
Kathys Kwilts and More • Whispers of Yore
January 24 – City Culture 2
Mary Mack Made Mine • heARTs Creations
January 25 – City Culture 2
The Quilt Rambler • Lizard Creek Quilts • KISSed Quilts
FALL
January 29 – Pumpkin Patch
Seams to be Sew • KISSed Quilts
Ark Angel Creations • Adventurous Appliqué and Quilting
January 30 – Autumn’s Grace
KISSed Quilts • Beaquilter
January 31 – Plum Delicious
Masterpiece Quilting • Adventurous Appliqué and Quilting
February 1 – Northern Woods
Moosestash Quilting • Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting
This is Karen Overton, The Quilt Rambler, celebrating Endless Summer with the beautiful fabrics from Island Batik
Be sure and visit the other ambassadors and leave a comment through the rafflecopter to be eligible to win my giveaway!
I really like the way the love links quilt came out and the way you photographed it with the tiki hut!
i could not figure out an answer to the question at first, i realized its because i stitch both ways without any thought to it. I am ambidextrous and while usually hold needle in right, sometimes i find it in my left lol. Maybe just confused hehe
Not confused at all Natasha, I find that very convenient- keeps things flowing without the boredom. And thanks for the photography compliment – I love time under my tiki hut and I love quilting so they kinda went together with the theme of “summer” ????
When I sew binding on a quilt I sew from bottom to top!
Your quilts are fantastic!
Thanks Anita – they were a joy to make!
Eager to play with the wing clipper tool. Batiks are my favorite to work with. Thank you for all you do!
You will love the tool and Deb’s technique! Know how much you love batiks as they show up in your beautiful quilts a lot!
Your Love Links quilt is Gorgeous! Oh so many flying geese! Interesting question about sewing on binding–I always go right to left.
Thanks Allison, it was a fun quilt to make – best wishes in the giveaway perhaps I will be sending you the pattern ???? The binding question came from posting that photo on the Ambassador FB group – a couple of the girls commented that they did theirs different – mainly they flipped where the binding was on the bottom not the top ???? so I thought it would be fun to see what others do and which direction they sewed. Thanks for playing along!
Karen, your quilt is absolutely gorgeous! And the quilting—Wow! Thank you so much for the giveaway. I sew from right to left.
Aw, thanks Joyce – I had a hard time keeping this one “secret” – good luck in the giveaways!
I sew right to left. Your quilt is beautiful, love the colors.
Thanks Linda – I sew right to left too – but then again- I think you could figure that out ???????? the fabrics were fun to work with – glad you liked my quilt
Wow, finding how to make a comment was a bit of a challenge on your blog, but I was persistent. 🙂 Love “Love Links” and the colors on this quilt are gorgeous. Usually, I sew right to left but occasionally, especially when doing embroidery, I do reverse the direction.
Sorry for the confusion- thanks for being persistent! Glad you were as now you are in the running for your own Love Links Pattern ???? of course both the pattern and fabrics can be purchased through your local quilt shop in case you don’t win ☺️ thanks for reading my post and playing along!
All of my quilts have been machine stitched so I am not sure I know which way I would hand sew. ??? good question! I may have to try out a baby sized to find out! I love you photo settings BTW
Machine binding works for me too! Especially when I’ve run out of time or I know it’s a quilt that will be used a lot. Hand sewing is soothing though ???? give it a try – always fun to try a new technique- you learn sometimes and sometimes you learn that you never want to do that technique again ☺️
I hand sew right to left. You quilt was very nice. I liked your pattern, and the Island Batiks are just beautiful!!
Thank you – the pattern for Love Links is from Studio 180 Design, “Miss October” or City Geese is from my playtime in the studio! Thanks for your comments!
I love the way you quilted the flying geese in “Miss October” and is that a flange binding? So forgiving on machine stitching it.
As for the question, I don’t hand bind. So, left or right, I don’t know.
Hi Linda, in a way it’s a flange binding – I used the Shortcut Binding Tool and sewed the two fabrics together. Normally you would leave the flange flapping in the wind, but I decided it needed an extra punch with the decorative stitching. I reviewed the tool in a previous blog post…click below to see my non-affiliate review
Shortcut Binding Tool
I sew left to right, holding the needle in my left hand. I guess I never really thought about it before! I love your designs. It is amazing how many different patterns flying geese can make!
Isn’t it? Kinda a happy accident that I had the leftover geese to play with – hope it will inspire you to make some creative borders!
Beautiful projects and fabrics! I sew from right to left. Have a fun day!! angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom
Thanks for commenting Angie! It’s already starting out as a fun day – hope you get to quilt today ????
I sew left to right. I love using the extras.
Me too – waste not want not ????
I live the Endless Summer Pattern & the Island Batik fabrics!!!
Thanks – the big quilt is called Love Links and it is a published pattern which I highly recommend
I love your custom quilting. I hand sew left to right.
Thanks Sandy – I’m in my happy place when I’m on the custom side of my Longarm
right to left with the binding up close and the quilt going away from me.
???? keepin it simple, right!
I love this giveaway!!
???? perhaps you will be one of the winners!
I’m right-handed, and I bind from right to left.
Me too ☺️
Left to right.
???? interesting ☺️
I’m right handed…my binding goes on right to left!
You are in good company Melody!
Both quilts are gorgeous! I love how the geese look in your larger quilt, and yes, I would love that pattern, too. I mostly do machine binding (sew to front, stitch to back) but when doing hand binding, my way looks like yours. You are not alone, despite what the other Ambassadors think, lol
So funny MaryEllen – as the other ambassadors said I was backwards ????. I would encourage you to try the pattern – it is very well written and of course I love using the Tucker tools and techniques
I sew with my right and go in the direction of my left. .great quilt hun love it… happyness04431@yahoo.com
Thanks Anna – glad you like my quilt!
I sew with my right hand and usually sew from right to left.
Me too Deborah – thanks for playing along !
Found it!
Hey, Karen – your quilt is gorgeous. I can’t wait to get to play as an ambassador this year.
Thanks Jennifer – it’s going to be a fun year – welcome!
I love your quilt Love Links! I sew right to left.
Thanks Pam!
Your quilts are beautiful! I love using the Wing Clipper, its my favorite tool for flying geese. I usually sew right to left when I’m attaching the binding. Thanks for the great giveaway.
I’ve made a lot of flying geese lately and am so glad I have the Wing Clipper – those little guys are a piece of cake!
I sew my bindings right to left! Thank you and I love your quilt!
thanks Lee for playing along with my little questionnaire
I hand sew right to left.
I like your quilts, especially the small one — These fabrics are so nice!
I’m glad I made the small one, seems it’s pretty popular today
I love your love links quilt. I sew right to left. Thanks for the chance to win this lovely prize.
thanks for visiting the blog Deb – best wishes on the giveaway
This is one beautiful quilt! I love your use of the fabrics and then the use of the extras for the border quilt. So much fun.
Thank you, Kathleen, this was a fun project
The City Culture collection is so fascinating because each “district” is so different and distinct. Love your quilts. Both of them are so pretty and really show off the collection. I love the idea that you make an extra quilt from the leftovers. I need to do that!
Thanks, Jennifer – I have to admit that was the fun part, making up something from the orphan units.
Love your quilts! I think I usually stitch from right to left.
Thank you, Teri, I think most of us are quilting right to left
I sew binding from right to left.
Thanks Barb for participating in the discussion – best wishes with the giveaways
Your pieces turned out great! I see right to left!
I’m glad you visited the blog Nancy
Love the way this fabric looks in Lovelinks!
Love Links is a fabulous pattern for any fabric but I am a little partial to Island Batik fabrics!
I love the pattern choice and the quilt is outstanding. Great colors. I sew to the left usually. Who knows why.
There is no why, we just do
Sew to the left most of the time.
Me too
If I DID do binding by hand, it would be right to left!
As long as the binding is sewn – finished is good!
Love your quilt designs! Hope I win a pattern.
When I hand sew a binding, I hold the quilt edge in my left hand and sew from bottom to top.
hummm….like I’ve always said “finished is good” so whatever works for you works for me!
Thank you Janet, I hope you win too – if not you can always order a copy! It’s a great pattern.
Great choice of quilts – love the geese – i sew right to left!!
geese are more fun to make since I discovered the Wing Clipper tool from Studio 180 Design!
I love the dark colors of this collection – amazing! Your quilts are wonderful! I sew my binding from left to right most times, but for whatever reason, I find myself sewing from right to left – I don’t know, something in the pattern I think! Thank you for sharing!
Indeed it is a beautiful collection – did you see the other ambassadors this week who had the “brighter” side of the city collection?
I love your quilts. I especially like the decorative quilting you did on the second quilt. I’m going to keep that in mind next time I FMQ. Thanks for the giveaway. 🙂
I’m glad you were inspired by the quilting – that’s a component I look forward to, trying something new!
Oh my, your work is gorgeous! In my dreams, I’ll produce something as beautiful! I stitch right to left, I think. I guess I’d need to put a needle in my hand to see for sure! I’m a new follower of yours on Bloglovin’!
Thanks for the follow Kathy!
Both of your quilts are gorgeous! The colors in the Love Links quilt positively dance against the background, and I love the free form piecing and punch of green in City Geese. Thanks for sharing these!
Opps – I forgot the answer the question! I sew right to left when binding.
Glad you remembered – gives you that extra point for the giveaway!
Thank you for the compliments! Both quilts were fun to make!
Your quilt is very pretty. I really do like it.
As far as binding, I’m one who does that on my machine, but if I were to do it by hand, I’d most likely go from left to right.
I’m getting better at machine binding – I do it on all my t-shirt quilts and a lot of my personal ones too – saves time!
When binding by hand I sew right to left.
You are in good company Ellee!
I love your quilt!
I am right handed and when I hand sew binding I stitch from right to left. I have the majority of the quilt in my lap and the binding at the top. I’ve seen many quilters who are also right handed do everything opposite of me. It doesn’t look comfortable to me but I’m guessing my way looks weird to some also.
If I understand you correctly Robin I think you hold the quilt just like I do in the photo above – and I was told that was backward…I guess the real issue is that we are all putting our binding on (grin)
Hi! I love this pattern and especially with these batiks! Beautiful job! I guess I’m backwards from the “correct” way?? I sew binding on right to left. I feel I have a better handle on my quilt and it’s more comfortable for me to stitch this way. Well…I’ve never been accused of being ‘normal!’ LOL Thanks for the opportunity to win your great prizes! I’m going to have to check out the binding tool you mentioned earlier!
I agree – I sew right to left so I can see where I am going ???? thanks for entering and stopping by to see my quilts
Left to right.
Are you right or left handed? Thanks for playing along!
Right.
I must be doing it backward ????
I sew bindings on right to left.
Thanks for entering the giveaway Emily!
Wow, never thought of that before! I hand sew right to left.
I hadn’t either until one of the ambassadors told me that my photo was backward to her way of doing it ???? the bottom line is just get it done right ????
I definitely sew right to left. Loving the Love Links quilt!
Thanks Paula – I hope to make another one, perhaps a bed size – hope you will add Island Batik fabrics to your next project ????
Great pattern and fabrics! Just love the colors.
I sew right to left.
Thanks Beth – the giveaway ends tonight – perhaps you will be a winner!
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