Batik Challenge

I have not made much progress to speak of on the Batik Challenge I have joined with Lisa, Kristin, and Marianne.    These purple fabrics are divine to play with and as a result I have been doing major fabric fondling and not much cutting or sewing!  I did set up links to the other challenge participant's blogs, and recommend that you go check them out.  We have some seriously talented quilters in this challenge.

Making a batik quilt seems more about the art of color placement than it does about sewing, in my opinion.  For this project, I am going to get plenty of practice with color placement, as my blocks are pretty small--5 1/2", and I need to make 50 of them.  I start with a 2 1/2" square and build around it.  Three fabrics are combined in each block, and you can have limitless fun mixing dark fabrics, light fabrics and combinations of values.

My dreamy group of purples was given to me by a group of quilting friends, and I added to it when I visited a local quilt shop called Back Porch Fabrics in Pacific Grove, which is known for its batiks, Asian and Kaffe Fasset fabrics. Check out your local quilt shops--I bet they have an entire section of batiks that you usually pass right by on your way to see the latest Modas, Windhams, Andovers and RJRs.  Next time you are in the shop, stop, look and use your imagination when it comes to batiks.

I don't know why I have not made more batik quilts, as they seem to allow a wonderful expression of one's imagination and creativity.  If you have never made a batik quilt, or have not made one in some time, I suggest you get a collection of fabrics in your favorite colors and start playing around.  There are awesome collections of batiks available from practically every major fabric company.  If you want to immerse yourself in a sea of greens and blues, they are out there.  Love apricots and peaches?  You can find a great selection in batiks.  Earth tones?  Knock yourself out.  Even if you think "batiks are so not ME", I encourage to make a small project using them, if only for the exercise of dabbling with colors and values.  If you don't end up loving your results, there is someone you know who will!

Comments

[Nancy]

I can already tell I'm going to like this quilt! Love purple. You make it pretty convincing to try Batiks. Nancy in WI

[Lisa D.]

If your first purple block is any indication, this is going to be stunning! Wow. Can't wait to see more!

[Christine Thomas]

Batiks are a dream to work with. I haven't made a quilt myself. But I did some pressing and cutting for my sis-in-law one day and thought they were wonderful to handle. I'm anxious to follow your progress as, I think, it will help give me some confidence to try my own someday. I'm color-placement challenged.

And great looking block!!

[Zarina]

There is a quilt waiting to be quilted. I use colors from the rainbow and black and brown. The colors are very vibrant and (originally) wanted it to be done faster. Check my blog in a few weeks time when it's done being quilted.

[quiltdivajulie]

Check out the batik quilt I'm working on (not one from the books you mentioned, but 100% batiks and beautiful). Would love to play along with ya'll...

Here's the link to my post today which includes a link to the work-in-progress photo album.

http://quiltdivajulie.blogspot.com/2009/01/scenes-from-my-world.html

LOVE BATIKS!!!

[Susan Ramey Cleveland]

I have never made an all-batik quilt. I've used batik sparingly a few projects. I think your purple one is going to be gorgeous.

[Miss Jean]

You have reminded me of a project I can make. I patterned it after a quilt a friend made. Lime green and orange batiks. Luscious!

[Dianne - new zealand]

I have been reading your blog for about 12 months and am totally engrossed by all that you do...I love everything...thank you for keeping us all on track and motivated