Christmas in July 2020 for Island Batik
Christmas in July Island Batik & Accuquilt Challenge
This project is extra special because it puts an emphasis on GIVING. Presenting an unexpected gift gives joy to the giver and the recipient. This Christmas in July challenge is made even better because it keeps on giving.
Island Batik’s industry partner Accuquilt generously sent each ambassador The AccuQuilt GO! Me starter set to first create a quilted project with before gifting both the starter set and project to someone in the community to spread the love of quilting.
The cutter is fast, accurate, easy and safe like the other GO! models. It’s lightweight, space-saving design is perfect for beginning quilters and those with small work areas. The ultraportable weight makes it ideal for classes and retreats. It comes with a set of 2 dies, a GO! Half Square Triangle and a GO! Quarter Square Triangle both 3" finished square size.
Creating Quilted Giveaway Project
A rainbow of bright, colorful batik from the Tropical Escapes Collection by Kathy Engle are pulled from my stash and auditioned. Island Batik Black Solid offer a stark contrast for the background.
All 96 half square triangles are quickly cut while multitasking by watching Accuquilt’s GO! Beyond the Basic sponsored by Renee’s House of Quilting and taught by Pam Heller.
The Ultimate Marking Pen keeps all those tiny triangles organized as they are stitched into squares. The accurate cutting makes for perfect points when stitching.
Auditioning narrow borders for the table topper/wall quilt before selecting the ideal blue. It is an especially good day when the mitered borders come out PERFECTLY! This project is stitched with Aurifil thread and Schmetz CHROME Microtex Needles.
The AccuQuilt GO! Me project is ready for quilting. Annabelle, my Handi Quilter Amara is threaded with Aurifil black thread and the Pro-Stitcher is loaded with Nancy Haacke Designs Damask E2E pattern. Hobbs 80/20 black batting was the perfect weight and color for this table topper/wall hanging. A bit of squaring up and binding with Island Batik Solid Black and this project is ready for gifting.
The Gifting
Accuquilt encouraged ambassadors to select a quilting friend in our community to gift both our quilted project and the starter set. I choose my quilt guild, Common Threads, to receive both items. The GO! Me will be available for guild members to use before and after guild meeting or check out for use at home.
The table topper/wall quilt will be donated to the guild December Paddle Auction activity where we raise money to donate to charitable causes in our area. Quilting friend and guild member Carol Kozelka accepted the gifts for the guild.
Island Batik fabrics, Accuquilt GO! Me Starter set, Hobbs Batting, Aurifil Thread and Schmetz needles used in this project were all given to me in my role as Island Batik Ambassador.