I am so pleased to share with you the Triathlon Gold Freedom String Quilt made for Walter Shafer, one of the athletes. This is a sweet story as Island Batik is a proud supporter and sponsor of the TriathlonGold team athletes! A few months ago, then social media manager Kim Niedzwiecki (Go Go Kim) asked if anyone was proficient int Electric Quilt 8. I was in touch with Kim and there were a few back and forth about ideas; I designed a string quilt for the ambassadors. There were 12 quilts made with the fabrics from the Island Batik Freedom collection by Kathy Engle. The label was beautifully embroidered by Jackie Kunkel of Canton Village Quilt Works.
This was no triathlon. I loved working on this knowing the support we get from Island Batik and imaging the way it must feel to have this kind of support when you are doing something this hard. The fabric was given to me by Island Batik; Hobbs Batting provided the batting.
I precut my pieces to make the piecing go faster – and it worked. These pieces went together so fast. In no time there was a terrific quilt.
I tried to lay them out with some of the rows alternating between the red and blue stripes. It is funny that even with over 20 fabrics, one always finds a few that get a little too close to the others.
I quilted this on my SS Tabitha – a Handquilter Simply Sixteen. I used the Little Foot Frame and did a pantograph that was rather loose – I wanted this to be a comfy quilt. It was my first time quilting and moving the quilt and it all went remarkable well (if small enough I can use leaders/rails to move the quilt). This quilt finished at about 54″ x 68″. The batting was Hobbs and the thread was Superior King Tut in Freedom (how appropriate). It was perfect.
Triathlon Gold Freedom String Quilt
54″ x 68″
Freedom precut collection by Island Batik
100% Cotton Batting by Hobbs Batting
#919 Freedom King Tut Superior Thread
I am opened a pattern store this week. This is the first pattern available. It will be available free for the first few days and then will be available for $5. My other patterns will be updated to this shop in the coming days!
Coming Upon the Blog:
9/3 Quilters Meet and Greet
9/4 Barn Quilt BOM Month 1
9/11 My Favorite Quilt Block Blog Hop
Color Block of the Month
September Island Batik Challenge
Tutorial on Converting Picture to Mosaic in EQ8
Linking Up With:
For the Love of Geese
Finished Or Not Finished Friday
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop
UFO Busting #72
August UFO Linkup
Hi Kathleen! I think this is just a great idea. It’s supportive from the pattern design, to the fabric and batting, to the end result. How fabulous! I saw a version Jen (Dizzy Quilter) made yesterday and they both are epic. ~smile~ Roseanne
You are too sweet. It really was lovely to have the opportunity to do this.
Your quilt turned out fabulous! I love the prism effect. It was such a good idea that Island Batik had and so generous of both them and of you! Yay for jumping into the pattern selling waters!
I love the prism effect, too. It was a lovely opportunity. We’ll see how the patterns go, I am hoping a there are a few takers!
It looks great!! I love string quilts – I think they are so graphic and fun to look at!
Thank you – the string quilts are fun and can look so different no matter how you do it.
It’s gorgeous. I love how each quilt is unique even though they all use the same fabric and pattern. Thank you for linking up to Put your foot down.
It always amazes me how the small differences makes each quilt unique. Thanks for hosting!