Nibbles - Thread Painting for Island Batik and Aurifil

Nibbles the Squirrel

I am so delighted with the October Island Batik Challenge, thread painting. it is sponsored by industry partners, Aurifil thread. A project with minimal rules appeals to my creative nature and this project is no exception. All fabric, thread and batting used in this project were provided by Island Batik, Aurifil Thread and Hobbs Batting in my role as ambassador.

This project started with Island Batik Neutral Rice along with my Inktense pencils and blocks. After heat setting a rough sketch of the squirrel, a color pallet of Aurifil thread was selected. Stitching is done on my Handi Quilter Amara, Annabelle, using free motion with a stitch regulator.

I'm wearing the crown for "Most Thread Changes in the Smallest Area" while continuing work on the Island Batik and Aurifil Challenge. The Inktense pencil art on the base fabric needed to be emphasized with LOTS of colors but the background is done with only one thread. Rich black is used for details. Thermore batting by Hobbs provides a minimal loft for this project.

Planning and creating a piano key border for the Nibbles the Squirrel Art Quilt. A.) Auditioning color choices for the border. B.) Strips cut 1-1/2 inches and arranged in order of stitching. C.) Sixteen 11" strips stitched together using a scant 1/4" seam. D.) First border cut 2-1/2 inches wide and ready to attach adding even more colorful color around Nibbles.

The piano key border is completed with corner squares. Time to audition binding choices for Nibbles the Squirrel. The gold with orange flecks on the left or the deeper orange on the right?

Nibbles the Squirrel created for the Island Batik and Aurifil Challenge is complete. This art quilt finished at 16” X 20” which is slightly smaller than the challenge requirements of 24” X 24”. Not a problem as I'm off to the studio today for another try at thread painting! Stay tuned for part two.

Aurifil 50wt Cotton Thread

Nibbles was thread painted with a 2-ply Mako Cotton Thread. The higher thread weight indicates a finer (thinner) thread. Finer thread worked well to blend the many colors used on this project.

Aurifil 50wt cotton is suitable for Hand Applique, Hand Piecing, Lace, Machine Applique, Machine Piecing, Machine Embroidery, but most popular for Machine and Longarm Quilting.