Sometimes it takes a quilting buddy to get you out of your comfort zone and get a different kind of quilt made. Or just get *something* made! My friend Lisa suggested that the two of us challenge each other to finish a Batik quilt, and I thought it was a splendid idea.
Last April, at a quilting retreat I organized at San Damiano Monastery, I was given a selection of gorgeous purpley batiks. I had forced everyone to play a dismal FUN game called Left Center Right, where you pass fat quarters around a circle based on your dice throw. At the end of it all, I was given the pot of fat quarters, not because I had won them fair and square, but because everyone was thoroughly sick of the game and couldn't figure out how else to end it.
The retreat is happening again this coming April, and I would feel very guilty if I didn't have something to show for all those generously given fat quarters. Hence, the idea behind the Challenge.
I have two books that feature batik fabrics, both by Laurie Shifrin. I have it on good authority that she will soon be coming out with a third book, so you will want to look for it at your local quilt shops. Laurie's books are all full of inspiring, gloriously colored batik quilts, in beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. There is something for everyone in her books.
This is the pattern I chose, Native Rainbow:
Here are my purple fabrics:
So, if you would like to join Lisa and I, the rules are simple: pick a pattern out of the Batik Beauties or Batiks and Beyond books by Laurie Shifrin and post your progress on making the quilt of your choice. Let me know if you want to sew along, and I will post a link to your blog on my side bar. The deadline is April 24, because that is when I need to have my top done to take to the retreat! Come on, it's time to use some of those great batiks you know you own!
Ahhh...Batiks. I just took my Batik quilt to the long arm quilter Friday. My sister in law just finished up a Log Cabin quilt done in Batiks for a class she is teaching next month, and it is one of the most striking quilts I have ever seen. The colors are unbelieveable. Now I can't wait to see yours and Lisa's. OH, and one tip my sis in law gave me was to use a very fine thread (I used Masterpiece by Superior #50) and a tiny needle 60/8). Some Batiks have a stiffer texture to them than traditional fabrics and using the fine thread and smaller needle eliminated that 'popping' sound you sometimes hear when your needle is starting to get dull. You will hear the pop on many Batiks just due to the type of fabric. I found that the seams were so nice that I use the same thread and smaller needles for all my piecing now whenever I can. Try it out, I think you will like the results. The only problem I ran into was that the eye of the needle is so small that the auto threader on the machine was a tight fit, but will work if you support the needle with your finger as the thread is pulled through. I finally just started threading mine by hand though because it was faster.
Posted by: Nancy | January 20, 2009 at 06:34 AM
Do you pre-wash? I know many quilters do not, but I wanted to share - I had a bad experience with batiks -- they bled a lot. frown . Though the chance a bunch of purples bleeding is not a big deal.
Have fun -- wish I could join in, but the list is already too long. tee hee...
Posted by: Lucy | January 20, 2009 at 06:34 AM
Want to know who inspires ME. YOU DO NICOLE!
Posted by: Shelley Dionne | January 20, 2009 at 07:02 AM
What a gorgeous collection of purples -- can't wait to see the finished quilt! I'm tempted to join in the challenge, but I need to think about it for a day...
Posted by: floribunda | January 20, 2009 at 09:33 AM
Nicole why don't you start selling a few quilt related things on e-bay. I think of all the things that I have bought because of your blog. I would just as soon give you that money. Just a thought!
Posted by: Diana Marlow | January 20, 2009 at 02:33 PM
Wowser! You and Lisa are going to have beautiful quilts. I'll be cheering you on.
Posted by: Carol | January 20, 2009 at 03:28 PM
I'm in... I think, I know I have both those books, just have to find them! Already have loads of Batiks.
Posted by: Marianne | January 20, 2009 at 04:51 PM
I'd like to be IN! Here is the weirdest thing...Over Thanksgiving I saw the pattern for Murky Pond in the book Batiks and Beyond. I mentioned to my Mom that I wanted to make that quilt. We got to talking about color combinations and I mentioned that I love chocolate brown and pinks. For Christmas my wonderful Mom got me a bundle of the fabrics for the quilt! I also love batiks. So, with all of that can I be in?
Posted by: Kristin | January 20, 2009 at 06:24 PM
I will enjoy watching all of the progress, but I won't be joining in on this challenge. As I still haven't finished the two-color quilt challenge yet. I am going to finish it for a UFO challenge at my guild though. I promise! :~)
Posted by: Julia | January 21, 2009 at 07:28 AM
I made a quilt using this pattern. I'd love to send you a photo. Do you have an e-mail? Mine is [email protected]. If you'd like to give me your contact info, I'll send you the photo! I love this pattern.
Posted by: Maggie | January 23, 2009 at 07:57 PM
Oh! I recognize that pattern. It's hanging on my living room wall in golds, browns, rusts, purples and sage-y greens. It worked up like a dream and is gorgeous. Everyone who sees it falls in love with it. Great choice! Enjoy!
Posted by: margot | February 02, 2009 at 06:40 AM