Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Top It Off - Island Batik October Challenge - Bats on the Run


I've been sewing up a festive Halloween storm this month.  Almost every project I've worked on in October  has involved Halloween themed colors or prints, this next one is no exception!


For the October Island Batik Ambassador challenge we were asked to make a festive table topper or runner.   As an Island Batik Ambassadors, I was provided with fabric to create these challenges. Since we are in October, I opted for a Halloween project.



Part of this challenge was to incorporate applique.  I wasn't quite sure what spooky addition I was going add to my runner until I went to pick up my older Bernina from the quilt doctor and they had Accuquilt dies on sale.  I could not resist bringing home the Cat and Bat die.
I put some wonder under on the back of my Island Batik Fabric and ran it through the machine.  The bats came out perfect and ready to iron on.

This runner has 36 Quarter Square Triangles.  I used the two at a time method and started out with 3.5 inch squares and trimmed down to get a 2.5 inch quarter square triangle.

The purple fabric comes from the Island Batik Foundations Basics collection. 
It is called, Purple.  Perfect name.



For my corner stones I used 12 economy blocks, aka square in a square.
I paper pieced these because my triangles always get wonky on these and one corner always ends up too small.  With paper piecing I get perfect points and can trim down to a perfect 2.5 unfinished block. These Island Batik fabrics came from the Stash Builder Rolls I got in my first box in January.
These stash builders 5 inch strips x WOF and are perfect for scrappy quilts and small projects like this.  I recommend picking one up if you ever see them in your local quilt shop.  They are my "go to" when I am looking for a specific color for a project.


 Table runners are a great way to use the extra wide batting strips you have left over from previous quilt projects. I had the perfect size of leftover Heirloom Hobbs 80/20 with scrim for this project.   

I love this batting! It lays flat yet still has a nice fluff to it.

This bat filled runner got quilted with Orange and gray 50wt Aurfil thread.
I even used the gray on the black fabric.

I like how the grey thread gives more detail to the bats and quarter square triangle blocks.
Almost like a spider web shine.



If really you like this runner and really want to make one for your self, I created a pattern to help you out. The pattern is free so go ahead and test it out for me. I have stared at it a lot trying to catch any errors, but if some slipped by let me know and I can fix it right up.  

You can get the pattern by clicking Here:



If you are not into bats, you can change the colors and applique design for any holiday. You can even use Novelty fabric for the center squares if you are not a fan of applique.


This is the set up in town on Main Street.  It is pretty cool and a great spot to take pictures of Halloween Quilts, even if one of the witches is having trouble with her hat.


This is also my first finish for the 4th Quarter Finish-A-Long!
Wahoo!!



Thanks for stopping by!


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Monday, October 28, 2019

Nifty Novelties Blog Hop - Halloween Version



Welcome to the last day of the Nifty Novelties Blog Hop hosted by Seams To Be Sew!  This hop is all about using novelty prints.  They are super cute to buy (I should know, I have a shelf full) but sometimes you might not know what to make with them and this hop can help.  Today I am happy to show off my Spooktacular project and hopefully pass on some inspiration.



This pattern is called Chain Link by Amy Smart.  It is perfect for 5 inch novelty squares.



I've had some of these prints for years and used them in various projects. 
It was fun to use up some of the left overs and put them all together in this project.


This pattern was super fast to put together.  I got the whole top done in one day.


I did shorten it from the orginal, but I can still see the full size pattern being sewn up in one day if you have a good chunk of time to sew.


Another good use for Novelty fabrics is for quilt backing.  I have had this Halloween novelty for a while as well.  I bought it on sale one time after Halloween was over.  I love the characters on it, but the cream background never seemed to go with any of the Halloween projects I was working on.  Today it now has a home on the back of this quilt.  My top came out at 43 inches and it was going to be a stretch to make this 44 inch wide fabric fit, so I went ahead and split it in two and added a  large strip of one of my pumpkin fabrics to get it big enough to work with. 



*GiveAway* 

Timeless Treasures fabric company graciously sent Marian from Seams to Be Sew some fabulous novelty fabric bundles to give away for this hop.


I get to show of is this owl bundle and it is up for a giveaway.  Use the Rofflecopter below to enter the giveaway+.  Just keep in mind Marian is asking winners to pay shipping, $4 for USA and more for international shipping. She will contact the winners.
a Rafflecopter giveaway



If you missed any, make sure you go back and check out the other projects and vist the other two hoppers today to get inspiration for your novelty prints!  

Thursday, October 24
Friday, October 24
Monday, October 28




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