Spread love & joy patchwork quilt

This article is sponsored by Island Batik and industry partners: AccuQuilt, Hobbs Batting, Schmetz Needles and Aurifil Thread. Island Batik is a US based manufacturer, importer and distributor of cotton batik, rayon batik and hand-printed cotton from Indonesia.

The Island Batik June Challenge this month is to highlight industry partner AccuQuilt. AccuQuilt asked us to create a throw quilt as a gift of comfort and could be anything from a baby quilt to a memory quilt. The challenge specified that we were to use the BOB die we received in January along with the GO! Qube 8″ Mix & Match Block to create a whole new design by combining the two.

BOB dies include all the shapes needed to make a block and in my case it is the 8″ finished Snails Trail die.

Island Batik Peacock Galore

Peacock Galore was designed by Claudia Pfeil for Island Batik. Pre-cuts pair well with most dies and the 10″ squares were perfect for the Snails Trail because there was no rough cutting required. The 10″ stack contains 42 pieces, at least two of each fabric in the collection. Island Batik also sent 2 yards each of light and dark coordinating fabric. The reason I chose to use this collection is because the light coordinating fabric is very close to the AccuQuilt green.

First I made 12 scrappy Snails Trail blocks and the rest was improve and dependent on the remaining fabric from the collection.

From the 8″ Qube Mix and Match I used the 2″ finished half square triangle die but I wasn’t sure what I’d do with them. I was thinking border blocks. Then I had the bright idea to use them as the center of the quilt with the Snails Trail blocks for their border.

Using the 2 1/2″ Strip Die I cut from my remaining 10″ squares a border. Then I thought 4″ finished hst’s would make a nice border but realized I would need to add another 2 1/2″ strip to make that work. Again I used the strip die to cut strips out of the dark coordinating fabric this time and played with the hst until I came to this layout. The 4″ finished hst die is also from the 8″ Qube.

4″ finished half square triangle die

Most of the AccuQuilt dies remove the dog ears so there is no additional trimming required.

Then it just hung on the design wall…

During a visit with my son and step grandson Elliott, Elliott was teasing me with my seat on the sofa and throw pillow. I told him he could have them and I’d just get the new flower pillow. Of course he wanted to see it because unlike my son Elliott likes to look at my pretties.

The pillow was hanging on the wall un-stuffed next to the quilt 2 photos up. When I asked if he liked the flowers he pointed at the quilt (not looking at the pillow) and said yes but I like this better.

It was at that moment I decided to give the finished quilt to him and I knew how to finish it. You see, Elliott is such a good big brother helping with baby Wesley. He is also transitioning to his own bed and I know how tough that is, for all involved.

8″ Qube Mix and Match

For each die in the Qube there is pattern card for an 8″ quilt block. The Old Maid’s Puzzle uses 4″ finished hst, 2″ finished square, and 2″ finished hst. There were enough hst’s left from the center of the quilt to make four blocks and I only needed to cut some 2″ finished squares.

Cut another border using the 2 1/2″ strip die and a few more 4″ finished hst’s. The additional hst’s were to frame the dinosaur appliques. I was just about out of the light and dark coordinating fabric so I had to wrap it up.

Using fusible web I added the dinosaurs. I’m not kidding when I say I LOVE these dinosaurs and have wondered if anyone would notice if I made a quilt for myself. DH just rolled his eyes.

The additional hst’s were used to frame the dinosaurs, also an AccuQuilt die. The orange fabric for the dinosaurs is also Island Batik but from their Foundations Collection. I also cut four 4″ finished squares for corners. Dinosaur Valley seems a fitting name for this quilt.

Dinosaurs

Quilting with Hobbs and Aurifil

Some straight line quilting and Hobbs Batting, 100% Cotton because low loft flat quilts are my favorite.

For piecing, quilting and binding I used Aurifil Thread. Not my norm but I love the orange thread for binding. Schmetz non stick needles are not only for fusible applique, I’m not one to change up my needle fusible and change again for piecing.

The happy recipient

Oh shoot, I should have put the dino bib on Wesley that I made for him. Did you know AccuQuilt has a bib die? I purchased it along with the dino die.