StitchWithColor

Monday, August 11, 2025

Island Batik Ambasador's Oliso Hot Stuff Challenge

August brought some fun with decorating our Oliso iron travel bags. We received the Oliso mini-pro irons with travel cases in our January shipment.

I started the brainstorming process with trying to decide on what I wanted to do with this decorating challenge. I had so many ideas came to mind. I wanted to select one that would be different. I finally decided on making three dimensional flowers.

I started the process by choosing some strips from the Island Batik Stash Builders and then I started cutting my circles in two different sizes.

I laid out the 5 large and small circles shown below by overlapping them so I can sew two running stitches with 12 weight Aurifil Thread through all of the circles.

If you look closely at the photo below, you will see the two rows of running stitches towards the center of the circles.

After doing the running stitches I make a cut right down the center in the middle of the running stitches. These stitches will be used to gather the group of circles which will form the flowers.

Below I gather the stitches and tie a know with the thread so the gathers do not come loose.

Once all my circles have become flowers I then used white buttons (provided by my friend, Sandi) in the center to sew them onto the Oliso iron travel bag. Here's the result...

And those who follow me monthly may be waiting to see my assistant, Cooper, who is always involved with ALL my sewing projects! Life in my sewing room would be a lonely place if not for Cooper and my other fur babies who make life a lot more interesting when sewing for hours!

We'll see you next month with the results of a brand new challenge!

💖

A very special thanks to all the sponsors of the Island Batik Ambassador program.

Make sure you are following along with the other 22 Island Batik Ambassadors for inspiration and tips!

Brenda Alburl - https://songbirddesigns.blog

Renee Atkinson - https://wordpress.com/posts/pinktulipquilting.studio

Susan Deshensky - www.ladybluequilts.com/blog

Tina Dillard - https://quiltingaffection.blogspot.com/

Brittany Fisher - www.bobbinwithbrittany.com

Kimberly Flannagan - https://www.kimberlysquilts.com/blog

Preeti Harris - https://sewpreetiquilts.blogspot.com

Mania Hatziioannidi - www.maniaforquilts.com

Kim Jamieson-Hirst - https://www.chatterboxquilts.com/blog

Connie Kauffman - Kauffmandesigns.blogspot.com

Connie Kresin Campbell - https://conniekresin.com/

Emily Leachman - https://thedarlingdogwood.blogspot.com/

Denise Looney - https://quiltery.com

Leah Malasky - www.quilteddelights.com

Susan Michaels - https://dragonflyfiberart.blogspot.com/

Lisa Pickering - https://lisasquiltingpassion.blog/

Sarah Pitcher - www.pitchersboutique.com/blog-1

Gail Sheppard - https://quiltinggail.com/

Carol Stanek - stitchwithcolor.blogspot.com

Solomae Stoycoff - https://cuddlecatquiltworks.com

Jennifer Thomas - https://curlicuecreations.com

Suzy Webster - www.websterquilt.com

Be sure you’re following me on Facebook and Instagram so you won’t miss out on what I’ll be creating next!

#luminfabrics #islandbatik #iloveislandbatik #islandbatikambassador #Aurifil #Aurifilthread #oliso #createwitholiso #olisohome #hotstuffchallenge #followers #everyone

@islandbatik @aurifil @accuquilt @hobbsbatting @oliso @Schmetzneedles @debtuckersstudio180design @byannie.com @PatternsByAnnie @funkyfriendsfactory

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Island Batik Ambassador July 2025 Unboxing

The second half of the 2025 Island Batik Ambassador's year starts in July with a shipment of boxes full of fabric, thread and batting so we can continue working on our challenges.

We have some really fun ones coming so follow my blog and my Facebook page if you want to stay up to date with the new Island Batik fabrics and what we are doing with them and our sponsors products!

Here's a quick peak at all the items that were in the two boxes I received for the upcoming monthly challenges the 2nd part of this year.

Cooper always makes himself a star in my blog!

A very special thanks to all the sponsors of the Island Batik Ambassador program.

Make sure you are following along with the other 22 Island Batik Ambassadors for inspiration and tips!

Brenda Alburl - https://songbirddesigns.blog

Sarah Pitcher - www.pitchersboutique.com/blog-1

Gail Sheppard - https://quiltinggail.com/

Carol Stanek - stitchwithcolor.blogspot.com

Solomae Stoycoff - https://cuddlecatquiltworks.com

Jennifer Thomas - https://curlicuecreations.com

Suzy Webster - www.websterquilt.com

Be sure you’re following me on Facebook and Instagram so you won’t miss out on what I’ll be creating next!

#islandbatik #iloveislandbatik #islandbatikambassador #Aurifil #Aurifilthread #accuquilt #accuquiltgo #hobbsbatting #hobbsinside #oliso #createwitholiso #schmetz #schmetzneedles #Studio180design #byannie #patternsbyannie #funkyfriendsfactory #funkyfriendsfactorypattern #followers #everyone

@islandbatik @aurifil @accuquilt @hobbsbatting @oliso @Schmetzneedles @debtuckersstudio180design @byannie.com @PatternsByAnnie @funkyfriendsfactory

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Island Batik Ambassador June "Funky Friends Factory" Pattern Challenge

The Island Batik Ambassador Challenge for June was sponsored by Funky Friends Factory. We had our choice of one of their patterns and I chose the Baby Bunny.

The Baby Bunny pattern is a beginner pattern and available to download so you can start working on one yourself! Here's the link below...

Baby Bunny Rabbit

You can also see all of the Funky Friends Factory patterns available for purchase in the link below...

Funky Friends Factory website

I used Hobbs Simply Stuffing inside the Baby Bunny and two Island Batik fabrics, Lavender and Eggplant, for the bunny's body fabric.

It didn't take long to cut the fabrics using the templates provided in the pattern. I marked all the registration points so I could place the legs, arms and ears in the correct position on the fabric pieces. Sewing was was easy and I used Aurifil 50 weight thread and Schmetz Microtex Needles.

The legs and arms are stuffed first, and I put some stuffing in the ears too. After attaching the legs, arms and ears the body is sewn together and gets stuffed, leaving an opening to hand sew at the end. This was an easy project and I high recommend it be one you choose to start with!

And the Baby Bunny was approved by Cooper, my #1 quilting inspector!

A very special thanks to all the sponsors of the Island Batik Ambassador program.

Make sure you are following along with the other 22 Island Batik Ambassadors for inspiration and tips!

Brenda Alburl - https://songbirddesigns.blog

Sarah Pitcher - www.pitchersboutique.com/blog-1

Gail Sheppard - https://quiltinggail.com/

Carol Stanek - stitchwithcolor.blogspot.com

Solomae Stoycoff - https://cuddlecatquiltworks.com

Jennifer Thomas - https://curlicuecreations.com

Suzy Webster - www.websterquilt.com

Be sure you’re following me on Facebook and Instagram so you won’t miss out on what I’ll be creating next!

#luminfabrics #islandbatik #islandbatikambassador #loveislandbatik #funkyfriendsfactory #hobbsbatting #hobbsinside #aurifl #aurifilthread #schmetzneedles #oliso #bernina #followers #quiltersoffacebook #quiltersofinstagram

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Island Batik Ambassador - Accuquilt – Irish Chain May Blog Hop

The May 2025 Island Batik Challenge is a Blog Hop sponsored by AccuQuilt! We received the GO! Irish Chain die to cut our fabrics for the May Blog Hop challenge.

This challenge features the classic Irish chain block, and no matter the layout, it can come together in a fraction of the cutting time with our sponsored Accuquilt Irish Chain 10-inch Finished Die.

Thanks to AccuQuilt, making an Irish Chain quilt has never been easier or more fun. The die makes precise cuts that help you get perfect seams and beautiful blocks, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned quilter. Plus, the shapes can be used for so much more than just the Irish Chain, there’s plenty of room to play and experiment.

As you follow along with the blog hop and see all the stunning quilts the Ambassadors create, you're encouraged to stop by your local quilt shop and let them know how much you love all the new Island Batik fabrics and the new collections featured during the Irish Chain Blog Hop. Supporting local shops and sharing what inspires you helps keep our quilting community thriving!

In my January unboxing we had a “Surprise” fabric package. This fabric was intended for this May challenge.

The fabric that I was received is

Cutting my fabrics took a quick evening which I loved! Plus sewing the blocks was so easy and quick!

After I finished sewing my blocks using my favorite Schmetz Microtex 50 Sharp needles with Aurifil 50 weight white thread, I knew my quilt design need a bit more to it. So I decided to foundation paper piece trees for the blocks in between the chained blocks.

I pressed my blocks with my Oliso iron and assembled them. But they still needed something else. So I decided to add a little bling to the trees which gave the trees the sparkle they needed!

Once the quilt top was ready to be quilted with Hobbs Batting. I did very simple quilting, as I am not a long arm quilter, but I gave it my best! The quilt went through it's normal quilt inspection by Cooper, the head quilt inspector! He loved it so much that he didn't want to release the quilt!

And now for the result of my Island Batik - Accuquilt - Irish Chain Quilt...

Remember to enter this week's giveaway at Lumin Fabrics "Island Batik"!

Link to Island Batik Blog

You will also have a chance each week, and again in the with the final vote!

A very special thanks to all the sponsors of the Island Batik Ambassador program.

Make sure you are following along with the other 22 Island Batik Ambassadors for inspiration and tips!

Brenda Alburl - https://songbirddesigns.blog

Sarah Pitcher - www.pitchersboutique.com/blog-1

Gail Sheppard - https://quiltinggail.com/

Carol Stanek - stitchwithcolor.blogspot.com

Solomae Stoycoff - https://cuddlecatquiltworks.com

Jennifer Thomas - https://curlicuecreations.com

Suzy Webster - www.websterquilt.com

Be sure you’re following me on Facebook and Instagram so you won’t miss out on what I’ll be creating next!

#luminfabrics #islandbatik #islandbatikambassador #loveislandbatik #irishchainbloghop #accuquilt #accuquiltgo #createwitholiso #olisoconnects #aurifl #aurifilthread #schmetzneedles #bernina #hobbsbatting #hobbsinside #followers #quiltersoffacebook #quiltersofinstagram

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Island Batik Ambassador "Drunkard Path Block" April Challenge

I hope you see birds flying away. That's what I was aiming for!

This is my finished quilt for the April Island Batik Ambassador Challenge.

We were to use the Drunkard Path blocks for this challenge.

The fabric I used for this quilt was Island Batik's 10" Squares of the ESSENSE Collection which is coming to quilt shops in September 2025.

I started cutting out the 10" squares using the AccuQuilt Go Me! It made the chore of cutting fabrics go so fast. I had all my "ready to sew" pieces done in an less than an hour and started sewing right away!

I worked on this project using Aurifil thread, pressing with my Oliso iron, until I had all the drunkard path blocks completed... These are 3" finished drunkard path blocks. I sewed 4 blocks together to get my birds making the finished bird blocks 6". Then the blocks went onto the design wall to be arranged in a pleasing (to me) pattern! This took some time arranging and rearranging the blocks and stepping back to review. I wasn't satisfied until I had all the blocks in an order from light to dark so it would look like the birds were flying away with the lightest blocks at top showing distance. Then all the blocks were sewn together and this is the quilt top before I quilted it.

I finished the quilt with purple backing fabric and binding. I echo quilted the rows of birds in a heavier variegated thread. Then there was the Cooper quilt inspection....

The quilt PASSED INSPECTION!!!

I hope you enjoy it too!

A very special thanks to all the sponsors of the Island Batik Ambassador program.

Please visit my fellow 2025 Ambassadors to see what projects they’re working on!

Brenda Alburl - https://songbirddesigns.blog

Sarah Pitcher - www.pitchersboutique.com/blog-1

Gail Sheppard - https://quiltinggail.com/

Carol Stanek - stitchwithcolor.blogspot.com

Solomae Stoycoff - https://cuddlecatquiltworks.com

Jennifer Thomas - https://curlicuecreations.com

Suzy Webster - www.websterquilt.com

Be sure you’re following me on Facebook and Instagram so you won’t miss out on what I’ll be creating next!

#luminfabrics #islandbatik #islandbatikambassador #loveislandbatik #createwitholiso #olisoconnects #aurifl #aurifilthread #schmetzneedles #accuquilt #bernina #hobbsbatting #hobbsinside #followers #quiltersoffacebook #quiltersofinstagram

Monday, March 24, 2025

Island Batik "It's All Up To You" March Challenge

This month the Island Batik Ambassadors were allowed to make a project of their choice, using Island Batiks fabrics. We could do the project in any size using any technique.

As many of you may know I’m also a BeColourful Authorized Teacher do trunk shows and workshops with quilt guilds and quilt shops, plus I’m required to attend a master class every year with Jacqueline de Jonge, the pattern designer of BeColourful quilt patterns. I am currently working on the “Catch Me” pattern for my upcoming master class I will be in the beginning of June. This pattern has been consuming the majority of my sewing time and so this month Island Batik challenge project is small! The next few months will be super challenging!

For the March Island Batik challenge I choose Island Batik’s JUBILANT batik 2 ½ strip set. This collection I thought would be perfect as stained glass. I created my own foundation paper pattern to create my project.

The full fabric collection

Here's the finished table topper

Here's a close up of the individual block

This table topper was made with Island Batik Jubilant strip set (1/2 pack) and solid black batik, foundation paper pieced with Aurifil 50 wt thread, sewn with Schmetz 70/10 Microtex needles, pressed with my Oliso Mini Pro Iron, and quilted on my Bernina using Hobbs fusible batting. The table topper measures approximately 18 x 21 inches.

A very special thanks to all the sponsors of the Island Batik Ambassador program.

Please visit my fellow 2025 Ambassadors to see what projects they’re working on!

Brenda Alburl - https://songbirddesigns.blog

Sarah Pitcher - www.pitchersboutique.com/blog-1

Gail Sheppard - https://quiltinggail.com/

Carol Stanek - stitchwithcolor.blogspot.com

Solomae Stoycoff - https://cuddlecatquiltworks.com

Jennifer Thomas - https://curlicuecreations.com

Suzy Webster - www.websterquilt.com

Be sure you’re following me on Facebook and Instagram so you won’t miss out on what I’ll be creating next!

#luminfabrics #islandbatik #islandbatikambassador #loveislandbatik #createwitholiso #olisoconnects #aurifl #aurifilthread #schmetzneedles #bernina #hobbsbatting #hobbsinside #followers #quiltersoffacebook #quiltersofinstagram