Island Batik August Blog Hop Try A Tool Is Here!

This month, our challenge was to use a new tool by Studio 180 design with new fabrics that are hitting the stores in September. I was given Island Batik's Free To Fly line that was designed by Kathy Engle. It was comprised of gorgeous yellows, blues, greens and oranges. I used all of the blues, yellows and greens in my quilt. I received the Rapid Fire Hunter's Star Ruler from 180 design. I used 100% Heirloom Cotton Hobbs Batting, Schmetz Needles and Aurifil 50wt, 40wt and 28wt thread. I decided to make a queen size quilt.

Using the tool was quite easy, and let me tell you, easy is for me! I love something that will make my quilting and sewing go by quicker as I am always itching to see the project done and start on a new one too.

I decided to look through the design idea and quilt book and took inspiration from that when designing my own quilt. I went through many renditions of designs before making the final decision on the one you see here. Island Batik is so generous when sending us fabric. They send 1/2 yard cuts of every color in the fabric line along with two - two yard cuts of coordinating fabric to match. This is amazing yet can be a challenge. I needed to stay within the limits of the amount of fabric I had but yet I wanted to make a larger quilt. This made the final cut.

The final quilt only had one change after this computer mockup. I switched the yellow diamond blocks with the green blocks on the left and right side. So it pretty much looks the same.

On to using this nifty tool. I have never used a quilting tool or ruler before. I usually use a ruler to cut and measure my own blocks. This tool is different and is so easy to use while making perfect blocks for your quilt.

The Rapid Fire Hunter's Star is just that, "Rapid". It helps you make quick and easy blocks that are not hard to put together. You start with strips of fabric to cut each block piece while using the ruler. There are lines on the ruler indicating where to cut and place the fabric. It allows you to be precise so that the blocks can be sewn together easily. The directions also describe the size of strips or pieces needed. Several sizes of the block can be made too.

Here are pictures of the ruler in action.

This was a fun project for me. The piecing went by quickly when making this large quilt because of the ruler. When it came to binding it, I used Island Batik's Foundation coordinates. I free motion quilted it using my domestic machine. I do not have a long arm, and I kinda wish I did because it is a beast to move a larger quilt under a small sewing machine. A lot of choice words later and a quilt is complete.

Here is the completed quilt and with my trusty helpers, my husband and brother-in-law, I could get pictures of it in the park near our home.

I saved the best part for last. There is a giveaway for you! Get a chance to enter into the giveaway and win one of my sewing patterns, hardware and some wonderful Island Batik fat quarters from this year's new Farm Fresh Line of fabrics. They are perfect for the upcoming fall season and already remind me of pumpkin pie and a pumpkin spice latte.

Don't forget to sign up for our email notifications and join our website as a member so that you can answer the question below and have a chance to win. The giveaway ends August 22nd Sunday night at 11:59PM.

What are your favorite colors to use in a quilt?

The Winner:

Carla Hundley

Not only is there my giveaway, Island Batik is offering a giveaway of precuts. Click on the link and enter by Friday the 20th.

Island Batik Precut GiveAway

The fabric, batting, thread, needles and the Studio 180 Ruler were all given to me and were sponsored by Island Batik Fabric, Aurifil Thread, Schmetz Needles, Studio 180 Design and Hobb's Batting.

Also, check out all the other Island Batik Ambassador's blogs. They've made some great quilts and some are offering giveaways too.

Megan Best ~ Best Quilter Pamela Boatright ~ PamelaQuilts Elizabeth DeCroos ~ Epida Studio Jennifer Eubank ~ Archipelago Quilting Jennifer Fulton ~ The Inquiring Quilter

Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts Joanne Hart ~ Unicorn Harts Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania For Quilts Jane Hauprich ~ Stitch By Stitch Custom Quilting Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs

Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood Denise Looney ~ For The Love Of Geese Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights Sally Manke ~ Sally Manke, Fiber Artist Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine

Claudia Porter ~ Create with Claudia Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads Brianna Roberts ~ Sew Cute and Quirky Michelle Roberts ~ Creative Blonde Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail

Andi Stanfield ~ True Blue Quilts Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt Janet Yamamoto ~ Whispers of Yore