Try A Tool With Studio 180 Design
Try A Tool With Studio 180 Design
Studio 180 Design has partnered with Island Batik for the August 2020 Island Batik Ambassadors. This month’s challenge is to use at least 16 units created with the assigned tool to make a quilt of any size. The Split Rects tool and all materials used in this project were given to me in my role as an Island Batik Ambassador.
The Best Laid Plans
An assortment of greens Island Batiks in the 5” stash builders rolls reminded me of all the pine trees in northern Michigan. The white pine is our state tree and a habitat for much wildlife. Using the largest option available, Split Rects were cut for a 4” x 8” finished block.
Each green tree section is paired with a white Island Batik solid. With labels in place so keep things organized, trees and backgrounds are chain pieced together. After pressing seams, each block is cut precisely to 4-1/2” x 8-1/2” with the Deb Tucker tool. All points align PERFECTLY and tree trunks are added. Trees, trunks and background were stitched with Schmetz CHROME Microtex Needles using Aurifil thread.
Here’s where the plans go astray. In my mind, there would be a paper pieced cabin and paper pieced Michigan wildlife tucked in between the trees. After moving the cabin to multiple locations, it was moved to the ORPHAN BLOCK pile! White blocks filled in the spaces. Now the proportions are not to my liking. The top row was removed and is now hanging out in another orphan pile.
The northern Michigan trees are now loaded on my Handi Quilter Amara and the Pro-Stitcher design Trees Continuous Line by HQ Designs pops out as a coordinating pattern. Hobbs 80/20 batting is the perfect weight and drape for this lap-sized quilt.
With quilting completed, it’s ready to be squared up and have binding auditioned. Marble Frog from my January 2020 unboxing video used for the backing incorporates all those greens found in the pine trees. The same fabric is used for the binding.
The finished quilt is ready for a picnic in the woods or cuddling under on the sofa!
But Wait…There’s More
Time to go to the opposite extreme and use the Split Rects Tool’s smallest option, a 1/2” x 1” finished block. Using scraps from my July Challenge project, Tropical Escapes Collection by Kathy Engle, I created a teeny tiny using eight blocks. This 2” x 2” finished block was then incorporated in my newest mask.
Thank you Island Batik and these industry partners.