This month’s Island Batik challenge is called Magnificent Minis! I was given this fabric by Island Batik. I have to admit, I had a harder time doing this than I would have liked. Mostly, it was a time issue.
I was working on last months Island Batik project, Getaway to Dragon Island for a good part of the month. Then February I committed to two quilts for two blog hops: Fantastic Flannel Box Cars (book hop)and My Purple Martins (wings hop) were keeping me way too busy. My Purple Martins could have made the cut but 2 fabrics on the front, the background and binding were not Island Batiks so more thinking….
I was getting ready for a class called Everyday Creativity where we would make a 10″ quilt (mini!!!). I thought well here’s my chance – this will be my mini. I knew it would work and I would have time if it didn’t – be experimental! Canterbury 2, the quilt above is hers, and was a winner at last years Quilt Con in the appliqué category. How lucky was I to be taking a class from her!
Debbie Grifka has spent 100 days in 2017 and 2018 creating. This class taught us a little about the process. One year she did 10″ quilts – usually taking about 2 hours. She did something a little different in 2018 and this years is different too. We had less time than that (and it was my last night and an evening class). We had prompts to work with – curves, triangles, numbers, weather, raindrops, and on it went.
I began working and wanted to do curves. I also wanted a little transparency with the shading of colors that I had. Curved piecing wasn’t working and rather than spend too much time, I just glued pieces. We then pillowcases the quilt and quilted the sandwich. Once again, I used the Hobbs Thermore batting – a favorite as an Ambassador as they so generously donate it! It is perfect for flat projects!
My quilting is not phenomenal, but it works. The zig-zag around the appliqué pieces will keep the edges from fraying. The curves reinforce one of the themes. I was going to use some different colored thread but time is of the essence in a 3 hour class. There is a little more to show from the class, but I’ll post separately about those two pieces.
The piece I drew began with the curves on top, and I think that is the way I like it. But I wanted to take a look at the other possible orientations. What do you think?
A final look at “TC Experiment” – transparency curves experiment – an Island Batik Mini. This was also a project on my first quarter list here. I am thinking of doing this – on a smaller scale – as I am sure it will help shape my creativity in some ways I wouldn’t expect.
“TC Experiment”
Island Batik Ambassador 2019 February Magnificent Mini
10″ x 10″
Hobbs Thermore Batting
Fused & Machine Quilted
Linking Up:
Dizzy Quilts: 2019 Finish A Long
What a fun mini!! I quite like the colors on the top with the white (and awesome quilting) on the bottom. The Island Batiks are so beautiful, you would really have to work hard to have a failure with them!! Your mini reminds me of the suns rays and falling rain.
Love the mini, and it sounds like you enjoyed creating it. I like the colors, which make me think of warm weather and sunshine (might also be influenced by my cabin fever). Nice work, Kathleen!
Thank you, I really did enjoy it!
I really thought I liked it with the colors on top. But the more I looked, the Yellow on top/blue and green on bottom really appeals to my abstract sense. It is like the sun rising or setting over a lake. The transparency effect really enhances that image for me.
When I first saw it, I wondered why you didn’t piece the curves – but reading the process made the ‘why’ obvious to me.
I go back and forth. I think I will hang it and see what happens! Funny thing about making the brain work after 3 days, an injury, and an evening class – wasn’t happening for piecing curves of my own creation. Heck, there was no pin in the classroom and so I couldn’t even use my trusty CGRuler for its curve capacity!!!
Hi Kathleen! For some reason a bunch of posts just popped into my reader – very late. It is so interesting seeing this piece at the different angles. In one direction it reminds me of a flower, like a coneflower, while in another it looks like the sun radiating. I think you fabric choices are spot on as far as transparency goes, and I think your quilting really gives it a boost. It’s a fun piece! ~smile~ Roseanne
I love this! The way you quilted it is perfect. I like it your original orientation. 🙂
t was really fun – it is mini and not exquisite but it works!
Hi Kathleen, sounds like a fabulous, albeit short workshop. I love the images together, your curves mirroring each other and with your quilting, could make a striking quilt. What a fabulous idea a 10inch mini per day! I think I could manage one per month!!!!
It was terrific. I do love playing with the photography and seeing if anything else strikes my fancy. The 100 days project is totally fascinating. I am up for a month too, maybe come July or August….I’ll let you know maybe we can do it together!
That is one tiny, tiny! Looks like it was a neat class to take, Kathleen.
It feels huge next to Kitty Wilkins 100 day pieces, but there is always one better than yours, isn’t there. It keeps us on our toes.
Kathleen, I love this mini. The quilting curves are perfect.
Thanks, Jan. I am really pleased with the little experiment.
I like it best with the curves at the top or bottom; they ground the piece in those orientations. It sounds like a wonderful class!
It was a great class, and I really enjoyed myself. Still taking it all in but I can’t wait to use some of the terrific things I learned last week (it seems like a much longer time ago already).
What a great sounding class, and I’m glad you got to play and cover your Island Batik challenge for the month in one go. This is a fascinating piece for something that on first glance looks so simple. Love it.
It was a stroke of genius to make that work, wasn’t it! It is a fun little piece and considering my month, I was pleased to get it done.
Cute!
Wow, I love the curves in this and the curved lines quilting! I HATE piecing curves so I have to admire it in others’ projects! I have a hard time believing this is only 10″ square! Every orientation I see becomes my favorite, but in the end I think I like the white on the bottom, colors on the top the best. Beautiful!
This a lovely little experiment! I like it best with the colours at the bottom, that way it makes me think of hills.
The juicy colors are so cheerful and the quilting makes it magnificent.
Thank you!
Great mini! I really like the curves, colors, and quilting.
Thank you. I think it all works in a nice mini kind of way.
Now that is what I call a mini…I don’t know if my fingers could sew that. Great job!
I’m going to try it someday. She just released a pattern but it scares the heck out of me.
I know. I can’t wait to try it, maybe at the end of the month!
Beautiful mini! The movement in such a small piece is amazing! I love it!
Thanks, Laurel. It was a bonus getting a 2 for 1 – workshop/Island Batik. It seemed a busy February for some reason – traveling I think does that to you.
This is great! I especially love the quilting. Congratulations on your finish on behalf of the 2019 FAL team.
You are so welcome, and thanks for stopping by!