Island Batik Tool Craze Blog Hop Sunny Meadow Sampler

The May 2023 Island Batik Ambassador challenge provided me opportunity to use the gorgeous Island Batik collection, Sunny Meadow, along with the Tucker Trimmer from Studio 180 Design. Island Batik is having a giveaway, check out their blog post for details.

GIVEAWAY: For those who comment here, they will be entered to win three 1/2 yard units of the Sunny Meadow collection. Randomly selected winner of the fabric will be announced on Pink Tulip Quilting’s Instagram on May 30. USA residents only.

Challenge Guidelines:

• Project type: a mini quilt, table runner or any other size project.
• Size: any project size you would like! Pick any two size units that you want to work with.
• Fabric: Sunny Meadow Collection
• Tool: Tucker Trimmer

Quilt Blocks & Tool Overview

I chose to create a Sampler Quilt using many Half Square Triangles (HSTs) and squares which the Tucker Trimmer from Studio 180 Design was perfect for trimming. Below are links to some of the Sampler squares I chose to include in this twin size quilt. Some blocks were chosen mainly because they were a new challenge for me and the blocks contained HSTs. I choose the collection options in the yellow, blue and blue-green tones.

https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/easy-four-patch-block-called-hays-corner

https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/free-tutorial-loop-the-loop-quilt-block?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_smartloop&utm_content=smartloop&utm_term=68755074

This link had numerous traditional block instructions: https://www.sevensistersquiltshop.com/quilt–free-patterns–sampler–traditional-blocks.htm?ssp_iabi=1677447689198

Deb Tucker of Studio 180 Designs has some fabulous You Tube videos for all the Studio 180 Design tools and her method of quilting, including how to use the Tucker Trimmer. I am new to Tucker’s concepts which were an essential element to the successful completion of this quilt. Generally, Deb Tucker’s idea is to cut your block pieces just a little bit bigger then trim down to perfection How often do quilter’s waste fabric because the cut was wonky or a little off? Tucker’s concept made sense to me! I was so happy how perfectly my quilt came together despite selecting blocks that were various sizes. The Studio 180 Design website as well has many useful resources and block instructions. I was so happy with the Tucker Trimmer; I ordered the Wing Clipper tool for a future Island Batik Ambassador challenge featuring Flying Geese blocks.

Quilt Construction

Of course, I started this project with a cleaning of the bobbin housing and a change of my Schmetz needle. I love the Schmetz Chrome needles!

My favorite yellow Aurifil Thread, 1135, was used in construction both in the bobbin and in the Schmetz needle!

I selected nine quilt blocks for this Sampler Quilt. Some I modified, including the nine patch, the second Hays Corner block and the pinwheel. I grabbed some block instructions from a search in Pinterest. See above for links. Now each block ended up in various square sizes so to make the quilt uniform I identified the size of the largest block and added borders to the remaining blocks to meet the size of the benchmark block. Of course, following Deb Tucker’s plan, I made the size of the border sashing larger than I needed and cut down evenly on all sides. Once the blocks were uniform, I added white sashing with turquoise corner blocks. A final sashing of Island Batik’s foundation fabric, Ogee Sunshine.

I just started back to work after a 3 month leave of absence for a medical reason so I felt I needed to send the quilt out to a long-armer. Quilting was completed by long armer, Diana Holthaus, in a dragonfly motif. When I dropped off the quilt top, backing and Hobbs Poly-Down Batting, Diana was so excited–asking where I had found the Hobbs brand batting. I proudly told her that as part of the Island Batik Ambassador program, Hobbs generously supplied packages of various Hobbs Batting products. Diana stated she loved working with Hobbs! There is nothing like making your long armer happy!!

Of course, I had to do something with the scraps left over so I made a pillow to match.

#islandbatikambassador #islandbatik #iloveislandbatik #studio180design #toolcrazebloghop #TuckerTrimmer

Please be sure to check out the projects by all of this year’s Island Batik Ambassadors:

Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs

Renee Atkinson ~ Pink Tulip Quilting

Pamela Boatright ~ PamelaQuilts

Susan Deshensky ~ Lady Blue Quilts

Brittany Fisher ~ Bobbin with Brittany

Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts

Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts

Reed Johnson ~ Blue Bear Quilts

Victoria Johnson ~ Forever Quilting for You

Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs

Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood

Denise Looney ~ Quiltery – For The Love Of Geese

Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights

Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine

Anorina Morris ~ sameliasmum.com

Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion

Sarah Pitcher ~ Pitcher’s Boutique

Claudia Porter ~ Create with Claudia

Lana Russel ~ Lana Quilts

Elita Sharpe ~ Busy Needle

Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail

Sandra Starley ~ Textile Time Travels

Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations

Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt

Make sure to follow Island Batik on Facebook and Instagram, so that you always stay updated on the beautiful quilts and home decor items from the talented Island Batik Ambassadors and Designers.

Sunny Meadow batiks can be found at quilt shops in May including these stores:

Quilted Moose Sault St Marie MI Sew With Me Lake Elmo, MN Gruber’s Isanti MN My Very Own Quilt Shop Park Rapids MN Missouri Star Hamilton MO Back Porch Quilts Livingston MT Foust Textiles King’s Mtn NC