May's Island Batik challenge is to play with triangles. I knew from the moment I read the brief that
I would use Accuquilt’s equilateral triangle die, which I had from Christmas several years ago but
had never used. The timing also meant it would be a good one as a baby gift for a former coworker
who is expecting this month. Her first child was also gifted an Island Batik challenge project!
That one had a teddy bear on it, so I wanted to maybe add an animal to this one, too. I did
some internet searching and found gold–a pattern called Triangle Friends by Dione
Gardner-Stephen. The pattern was from Make Modern Magazine issue #26, which I already
owned, and Dione is a former Island Batik ambassador. Perfect!
Of the seven playful pals in Dione’s pattern, I picked out the butterfly and the puppy dog. Both are
made entirely of triangles! I used scraps of various pink foundation basics left from my precious
pinks bundle for the applique animals. I actually created the animals first, so I would know how
much space I would need on the quilt background for them.
Then I set the appliques aside and concentrated on the top. I loved the colors of Citified, Kathy
Engle’s signature collection for Sherry Shish of Powered by Quilting. I thought the gentle blues,
purples, and oranges would work great as a baby quilt for a baby girl and the collection even has
4 different white-ish fabrics, perfect as a background for the applique animals. I added a few
other fabrics from both scraps and stash builder strips. I already had Citified out for my Row by
Row quilt and went ahead and got my triangles ready. Cutting the 165 triangles needed for the top
was a breeze with the Accuquilt. Piecing the equilateral triangles was mostly easy, though I did
have to get used to the seams nesting oddly, or at least differently than squares or rectangles do.
I did my piecing with Auriful thread, color 1135 pale yellow. I used two different pinks for the
applique, both from the Sardinia color builder, 2425 Bright Pink & 2530 Blossom Pink. For the
applique, I absolutely love Schmetz super nonstick needles. They glide right through the fusible
web and I have no problem with sticky residue. I used Aurifil 2134 Spun Gold for the quilting,
which I did in straight lines to really emphasize the triangles. The batting is Hobbs Heirloom
Bleached 80/20 cotton/poly, perfect for a light-colored quilt.
you can really see the triangle quilting in this photo |
The products featured in this post were given to me by Island Batik, Aurifil, Schmetz, & Hobbs.
I used the foundation fabric Banana at the end of the rows, the parts that would become the
cut-off triangles to square up the top. I also used Banana for the border and binding. I love
these colors together and feel like they work well for a baby quilt but won't seem out of place
when she's a bit older.
I had a lot of fun with this challenge. I use triangles a lot in quilts but I don't know that I've ever intentionally only used triangles. And this really is Totally Triangles!
How sweet is that!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet baby quilt!
ReplyDeleteIt is adorable, my favorite so far. I love the fabrics and the design.
ReplyDeleteThat is just so cute!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness....you do such wonderful work!!!
ReplyDeleteLove it!!!
ReplyDeleteadorable
ReplyDeleteOMG, that is sooo cute!
ReplyDeleteSo adorable, Emily!!!
ReplyDeleteThat turned out so cute!
ReplyDeleteThis is just adorable. I loved Dione's designs she shared with us!
ReplyDeleteI just saw the picture of this quilt on your side bar and had to come take a look. It is wonderful!! I bet the mom loved it. What a sweet gift. Love your creativity Emily!
ReplyDelete