Blossom - An Island Batik Challenge Quilt March 2025

 

As an Island Batik Ambassador, we receive monthly challenges to create original projects using beautiful Island Batik fabrics that are currently shipping to quilt shops.  I decided to use the same collection that I used for the February challenge, Petal Poetry, as I had not used all of the fabrics and I wanted to showcase them a little better. I originally made about 70 blocks which used all of the fabrics, but I was not happy with the layout. It was too cluttered. So I used about 33 here and I have enough to do another quilt which will look very different as the greens are more dominant in those blocks. This quilt has all the greens but features the purple and blue fabrics as the focus.

I decided to create a kaleidoscope block using one of the Studio 180 Design tech sheets for a cyclone block using the Tucker Trimmers. Love the Tucker Trimmers as you can square up or cut accurate segments on just about anything! Deb has some great videos as well as patterns for this technique on her website so check it out!

To start, I created strip sets which I then cut my wedges from using the Tucker Trimmer III.  My blocks finish at 8" so I used 2" strips for my strip sets.  It's important that your 1/4 inch seam is accurate when doing strip sets so that your wedges will all come out the same size and line up in the center. 

I used a seam guide to make sure my strips stayed nice and straight as I fed them through the machine. Of course Princess Luna was on hand to closely inspect the strips as I sewed them. Her inspection station is the top drawer in my sewing table with her special cat princess blanket which she does not allow her brother to use. A true princess! LOL

Once we passed inspection, it was time to move all the strip sets over to the ironing board.

Pressing is important. I usually align my strips with the edge of my felt pressing pad to make sure they are straight and do not distort or curve when pressed. As these blocks have a lot of seams and use 8 wedges which need to come to a perfect point in the center, I opted to press all seams open. I like to use these pressing sticks from the Strip Stick Company. I have them in different lengths. Very handy!

Next the segments were cut from the strips sets and the triangles cut, then trimmed into wedges.

I kept all my wedges together in groups of 8 (one block) and sewed pairs together. Really great thing about these blocks are that there are no matching seams when joining the wedges. How great is that! This part of the process actually went pretty quick!

I like to chain sew whenever possible so everything stays together and you save some time. Once the pairs were all sewn, they needed to have the seams pressed open. I like to use a wooden clapper and a felt mat and steam to make the seams as flat as possible.

When you are matching up the pairs and sewing them into the blocks, put a pin through the center intersections to line them up for perfect center points.

 Once the pairs were all sewn, they needed to get trimmed again using the Tucker Trimmer III. This insured a true 90 degree corner. Once all the pairs were trimmed, it was easy to go back and sew 2 sets of pairs together to create half the block, then sew the halves together to create the full block.  Once that was done, all seams were pressed open and they need one more trim on the Tucker Trimmer III.

Once that was complete, I added triangles on the corners then squared the blocks to 8 1/2"

I ended up make around 70 blocks as my original plan was to just join them together into rows but it just seemed to busy and cluttered when I had it up on the design wall so I changed the layout.  I really wanted it to be like a blossom with layers and some depth to the center so I used a fractured layout just in the center, splitting the blocks around the middle in half.

I like lots of negative space and I really felt that a border was not needed so I did a flanged binding with just a small peek of color to offset the quilt.  Here's a few pictures of the final!  

That's it for this week!  Be sure to check out the blogs for the other ambassadors. There were some really amazing projects created this month!  Until next time, happy sewing!

Best

Sue

• Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs
• Renee Atkinson ~ Pink Tulip Quilting
• Susan Deshensky ~ Lady Blue Quilts Studio
• Tina Dillard ~ Quilting Affection Designs
• Brittany Fisher ~ Bobbin with Brittany
• Kimberly Flannagan ~ Kimberly’s Quilts
• Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts
• Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts
• Kim Jamieson-Hirst ~ Chatterbox Quilts
• Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
• Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt
• Connie Kresin Campbell ~ Freemotion by the River
• Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
• Denise Looney ~ A Quiltery
• Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
• Susan Michaels ~ Dragonfly Fiberart
• Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion
• Sarah Pitcher ~ Pitcher’s Boutique
• Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail
• Carol Stanek ~ Stitch with Color
• Solomae Stoycoff ~ Cuddle Cat Quiltworks
• Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations 

Autumn Leaves Table Runner Free Pattern

 Hello Everyone!

I a new, fun Autumn project for you.  It is called Autumn Leaves and it is a lovely table runner to grace your homes for the season.  

I really had a lot of fun making this one.  The leaves are super simple and the border is all flying geese.  In the instruction, the fast four method of making flying geese is detailed.  I had a little fun with reversing the colors on a few of them so we have geese flying and chasing, creating the chevron effect.  I couldn't decide which I like better so I did one side traditional geese and the other side the chevron geese.  

Here is a close up of the leaf block.  These blocks finish at 10" so you can easily make your runner as long or short as you like or even make some matching placemats simply by adding geese to the right and left sides!

I hope you enjoy making it as much as I did!

Autumn Leaves Runner Instructions

Happy Fall!

Sue

Dragonfly Fiberart Pattern Company  www.dragonflyfiberart.com 

 Half Square Triangle Fun

There are so many different ways to make a half square triangle. Tonight on my sampler group sew, we explored a couple of different ways and I thought it would be nice to post the cheater chart with the sizes to cut the square for 8 at a time. I have done the math for you up to 8" finished but if you need larger, the formula is there for your reference.  I always add a 'fudge factor' to my cut size. For example, we were sewing 2 1/2" half square triangles to finish at 2".  The chart tells me to cut a 5 3/4" square but I added 1/4" and cut two 6" squares.  This gave me a little wiggle room to trim to perfection in case my seams were not perfect.

Finished Block Size	Minimum Size of Squares To Cut:*	Trim Pieced Block To:
A	A x 2 + 1 ¾”	A + ½”
1”	3 ¾”	1 ½”
1 ½”	4 ¾”	2”
2”	5 ¾”	2 ½”
2 ½”	6 ¾”	3”
3”	7 ¾”	3 ½”
3 ½”	8 ¾”	4”
4”	9 ¾”	4 ½”
4 ½”	10 ¾”	5”
5”	11 ¾”	5 ½”
5 ½”	12 ¾”	6”
6”	13 ¾”	6 ½”
6 ½”	14 ¾”	7”
7”	15 ¾”	7 ½”
7 ½”	16 ¾”	8”
8”	17 ¾”	8 ½”

 *ADD ¼” to the cut size of the square to allow a little fudge factor for trimming to perfection!

Once you have cut the two contrasting squares, layer them right sides together.  Draw a line on the diagonals, corner to corner.  Your block should have an 'X' on it.  Sew 1/4" to either side of the lines.  (Sew lines are the Blue dotted lines on diagram)

Cut lines are the Solid Black lines on the diagram. When the sewing is completed, line up a ruler to cut vertically straight through the middle of the block.  Without moving the sections, now place the ruler horizontally through the center and cut.  Again without moving the sections, place your ruler on the diagonal line corner to corner and cut between your seam lines.  You now have 8 half square triangles. Tip:  If you have a spinning cutting mat, it will make the cutting easier.

Press open to the darker side.  Now square your triangles to perfection using the TRIM block dimension in the chart.  When sewn into the quilt, your block will be the Finished block dimension in the chart.  My favorite ruler for trimming is the BlocLoc ruler but any square ruler will work.  Just be sure you are lined up on the diagonal seam.

    

Happy Sewing!

Sue

PS.  Be sure to visit our web site for great patterns, rulers, tools and more!

Pretty Quilt As You Go Placemats From Scraps

 My quilt guilds often make placemats to donate to the Meals On Wheels program which delivers freshly made meals to folks in their homes that may need that extra bit of help.  I think it is a wonderful program and just think how happy those folks are to see the smiling face of the volunteer delivering that meal especially now when everyone is so isolated.  And also the happiness of a bright and cheerful placemat to line their tray and add that personal touch that says someone is thinking of me.  Sometimes these placemats are holiday themed and other times they are just a fun collection of fabrics meant to add some brightness to the day.

Here is a version I like to make as it is quick and pretty!  It also helps me use a bit of my scrap pile.  Actually, it doesn't even put a dent in it but it gives me joy to think it does as well as to make them. 😂

Need to gather our materials.  You will need some 2" strips of fabric in various colors.  You can use variable widths but we'll save those for another project I will show you.  I used batting scraps leftover from quilts, the trim offs after they are quilted.  Also some backing fabric.  Keep in mind that in quilt as you go (QAYG) your bobbin thread will show on the back so make sure it works with your backing fabric.

(1) fabric backing piece cut 14 1/2" x 19 1/2"

(1) batting piece 14 1/2" x 19 1/2"

(5) or (6) strips of fabric 2" x WOF or enough pieces to make the equivalent

(2) strips 2" or 2 1/4" wide x WOF for the binding

(1) 6" x 6" focus block for the center

Smooth out your batting piece and find the center.  Draw a vertical and a horizontal line though this point with a marking pen.  I used a blue water soluble pen but a Frixion would work fine as we won't need the lines after the center is placed. Place your backing fabric wrong side up on a flat surface.  Center the batting piece with the lines facing up on it.

Center your 6" x 6" focus fabric on the batting lining up each point on the drawn lines until the piece is centered. Place a pin or two near the center just to hold it in place.

Lay your first strip right sides together (RST) along one edge of the focus fabric making sure one corner is squared up.  Stitch along the edge using a 1/4" seam allowance.  Stop at the edge of the focus square. Take your scissors and trim off the excess even with the center square. Press the strip open.  I finger pressed as I went to save time or use an iron if convenient.

Place your strip on the opposite side from where you just finished sewing and sew 1/4" from that edge, stopping at the end of the focus block and trimming the excess. Press open.

Next place a strip on one of the sides not yet sewn and repeat the steps (sew, trim, press open).  Trim and repeat for the last side.

Continue working your way around placing the strips on opposite sides, sewing and trimming.

As you get closer to the edges of the placemat, the strips will be shorter and cut off at the edge of the batting.

Once all the strips cover the batting, your placemat should look something like this.

We will now trim down the placemat to it's final size, 14" x 19". Place a ruler that is at least 7" wide on the placemat, lining up the 7" line through the horizontal points on the center focus block.  Trim off the excess.  Flip the ruler and do the bottom the same way.  The height of the placemat should now be 14".

Now trim the width to 19". Place a ruler at least 10" wide on the placemat lining it up the 9 1/2" line to the top and bottom points on the center focus block.  Trim off the excess and repeat for the other side.

Your front and back should now look like this.  Trim any loose threads off of the back that may have been left behind.

Make a double fold binding and sew to the back of the placemat. Be sure to leave a 3" tail not sewn down on each end of the binding and cut on the diagonal.  Fold under about 1/4" on the edge of one of the ends. Tuck the unfolded raw end inside the one folded over and refold the binding neatly. Align to the edge of the placemat, make sure it is nice and tight and finish stitching down.  Fold the binding to the front and secure with wonder clips.  Fold your corners into nice neat miters and hold in place with a clip.  Now top stitch the binding in place.  

Thanks for sewing along with me!  Would love to see what you create.  Post it on the Dragonfly Show and Share on Facebook.

Happy Sewing

Sue

Fun Mug Rugs With A Heart

 I was playing with some of my scraps leftover from the heart themed table runners.  I thought a little mug rug would be just the project!  Small, fast, easy to make and oh so very sweet.  I have two versions here.  The first is Hearts A Flutter with cute little hearts scattered topsy turvy across the surface. The second, My Beating Heart is so simple yet elegant with just some echo quilting to give it it's personality.

So let's gather some materials. The sizes are the same for both mug rugs.

Front and back fabrics:  (2) pieces 6 1/2" x 9 1/2"

Batting:  (1) piece 6 1/2" x 9 1/2"

Binding: 2" x 36" piece, pressed in half length wise

Hearts: Scraps or strips of multiple colors 

Small piece of fusible web that can be sewn (I used Heat N Bond Lite)

You will see the downloads for the heart templates in the sections below. The templates have an optional seam allowance added (outside line) in case someone wishes to hand applique or turn the edges under and use a straight or blanket stitch to attach.  If fusing, trace the inside dark solid line with no seam allowance, then satin or zig zag stitch the edges.  This will quilt your mug rug at the same time.

Download Hearts A Flutter template here.

For Hearts A Flutter, cut 1" strips then sew together along the length to create a strip set. You could also use strips in random widths but not too wide as the hearts are small.  You could also just make each heart a single color of fabric. Press the seams all in the same direction. 

Trace the hearts onto the paper side of the fusible web. rough cut around them and place them on the back of the strip assembly. Press and fuse into place. Cut out the hearts along the drawn lines.

Scatter the hearts onto the top fabric until you find an arrangement you like, then peel the paper backing and fuse into place.  Layer your backing fabric wrong side up, place the batting on top then your top fabric right side up. Secure the layers together with pins or, stitch around the outside, very close to the edge to hold the layers together.  Satin stitch, blanket stitch or zig zag the edges of each heart.  Then echo quilt once around each heart shape.  

     

Sew your binding on to the front of the mug rug, then fold over to the back.  Machine or hand stitch to the back.

Fabulous and finished!

For My Beating Heart, you will follow all the same steps above except that you will only be fusing on and stitching the one heart.  Download My Beating Heart template here.

The heart is about 3" x 3".  Place it on the mug rug top on the right side centered between the top and bottom with the same distance from the right edge. Fuse or applique into place. Place your layers together, secure then stitch around your heart through all the layers.  Starting at the bottom point of the heart, echo quilt around the heart, equally spacing each round of stitching.  

The echo stitching rounds will eventually start going off the top, bottom and right edges.  As the echo grows larger, you will only be stitching the curves on the left side which goes really fast.  The echo rows should be 1/4" to 3/8" apart.  I just used the width of the foot on my machine.

Finish with binding the same as the Hearts A Flutter mug rug.  That's it, you are done!  So now enjoy your happy little mug rugs this Valentine's Day or any day you wish to share some love with someone special.

Happy Sewing!

Sue

PS. Be sure to visit our web site for lots of great quilt, table runner, placemat, home dec and tote bag patterns!