Island Batik Ambassador Box Arrived!

Opening the Box

In early January, I heard that I was going to be an Island Batik Ambassador for 2018.  The neatest thing about this gig happens 2 times in 2018 – a huge box of Island Batik Fabrics and some items from their affiliates, Aurifil and Hobbs Batting.  All the items that are featured in this post, were given to me by Island Batik and their affiliates – Hobbs and Aurifil.

Let the fun begin!

Surprise Bundle – Fabric Not Yet In Stores

Ok – this is a “pre-production bundle” you can’t see until it is released to the public.  Nor can I use it until then either.  Funny, it was so excited to show me what colors were in there, that it busted out of its wrapping en route to me.

Aurifil Thread and Catalog

I love Aurifil thread and this grouping is terrific.  That spool of white will easily get whittled down as the year goes on!   The 50 wt threads are the ones with the orange spool – used for piecing or quilting.  The green ones, are 40 wt – used mostly for machine quilting or embroidery where you want the stitches to go.  They really go with some of the fabrics in the bundle.  Also included were some catalogs which further explain their lines of thread and their uses.  Let me know if you’d like one, happy to share the wealth!

Hobbs Heirloom Cotton Batting, Thermore and Catalog

The next couple of items are from Hobbs – a company that makes a whole lot of batting.  I have used the thermore for a quilt and will post something about that when I use it.  It is helpful in projects where you want less bulk – clothing, folded quilting, etc.  You’ll see what I mean soon!  I am anxious to use the Cotton blend (80 cotton/20 poly) as it has been some time since I have used this brand of batting.

 

A sh*tload of fabric!!

This is a lot of fabric!  I’ll go through most of them individually but wanted to point out the gorgeous  3 yards of Rice – a great neutral that will make many appearances in later blogs/quilts.

Galentines bundle

This will be the first group put to work.   It is for Galentine’s Day – February 13th (more about what this means on Tuesday).  In fact, as soon as I finish this blog, that is what I am doing – making a mug rug for a girlfriend!  Two lights, two mediums and two darks – should be able to do something fun!

 

5″ WOF Stash builders in a variety of pallettes

These 5″ WOF strips (width of fabric +/- 44 inches) are called stash builders and have a variety of sympathetic fabrics in a roll and are great for filling in!

 

 

The gorgeous Alpine Ice Collection

 

The Alpine Ice collection is a great set of winter blues and creams and greys.  Can’t wait to get into this bundle of fat eighths – it really is one of my favorite colorways.  It also has 1.5 yards of a coordinating fabric to help you along.

 

Mountain Majesty Jelly Roll and Coordinating Yardage

This group – Mountain’s Majesty is out of this world with so many luscious greens, purples, and creams!It has a jelly roll strip set along with a 1.5 yards each of light and dark coordinating fabrics.  I have a plan, so if this fits, it would be one stellar quilt.

Rayon scarf and fabric!

And RAYON fabric – what fun.  There is 2 yards of the pink fabric and the other package is a rayon scarf.  Maybe a pink blouse is in my future or who knows?  I wore the scarf to church this morning and have it on as I am writing this blog.  It is a beauty!

Foundtions Bundle

The foundations bundle is a group of some of the basic blenders and other fabrics that Island Batik produces.  Like the stash builders, they will help fill in the blanks.

All the loot!!!

Finally, a picture of the entire group all together.  It was funny, I reboxed it this morning as I was leaving for our “reverse weekend” to Maine and every time I turned around I found another bundle.  Don’t worry, my Galentine’s fabric and a few others are on the trip and will get converted into a swell project tomorrow!!

I am so grateful to Island Batiks – for the opportunity, the great fabric, and the commradery of a group of quilters who will have fun rising to the monthly challenge.  Island Batik is a great company, founded in 1997 with an important philosophy – being a part of the community.  Here is an excerpt from their blog on what they try to do:

The philosophy of Island Batik has always been to ensure the success, enrichment and development of the community to which it belongs. This is accomplished is by offering computer skills training, donating to neighborhood functions and village ceremonies as well as sponsoring the Island Batik community volleyball team. These efforts result in a constant uplifting of the people who partner with Island Batik in production. Because of the large group of artisans and workers employment many people have been able to buy land build new homes, send children to school and college as well as improve the community environment for the benefit of all.

Please visit their website and find out more about them and their wonderful fabrics.

Sewing time this week:  Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.  Wish me luck and if all goes well, you will see something on Tuesday!!!

 

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