The May Island Batik Ambassador challenge is the second blog hop for the year. featuring 12 new fabric collections that are currently shipping to LQS now. To view all the new collections and the blog hop schedule, with links visit the Island Batik Blog.
AccuQuilt provided each Ambassador with their new GO! Irish Chain-10″ Finished Die to use for this challenge. My project combines traditional patchwork (Irish Chain), applique (Dresden Plate) and machine embroidery (small flowers). It was hard to decide if I wanted to use the machine embroidery design or the Dresden Plate in the quilt so I added both.
Products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge. As an Island Batik Ambassador I receive two shipments a year filled with beautiful Island Batik fabric. Included in these shipments are products from industry partners Hobbs Batting, Schmetz Needles, Deb Tucker Studio 180 Designs, Aurifil Thread, Oliso Irons, Funky Friends Factory, ByAnnie, and AccuQuilt.
Serenity
Serenity is a beautiful collection that if I’m being honest, I did NOT want to cut into this fabric. I wanted to be selfish and enjoy it for myself as long as possible. The soft peach in Serenity is absolutely beautiful!
The GO! Irish Chain die cuts all the fabric for one block in a single pass. The die was perfect for keeping with the directional fabric as you see will below.
Although it wasn’t planned, the background fabric kind of forms its own design in the blocks. If I’d given it thought I would have cut the fabric so the lines would have all gone in the same direction.
The Dresden Plate templates were printed from EQ8 and the GO! Circle-2″, 3″, 5″ Die for the center patch. Once they were all sewn together I used Aurifil 40wt to stitch the Dresden to the background fabric. Serenity is so calming and perfect for a Dresden Plate.
I’ve been learning to digitize my own machine embroidery designs and this flower was so easy. After drawing the petals I then added the extra stitching on the inside of each petal. Let me tell you, a blanket stitch is much improved with an embroidery machine. The stitching inside the circle is a built in fill design in the Hatch 3 program.
For embroidery and piecing I use Schmetz Needles.
So, after I hooped my background fabric and stabilizer, the machine stitched a placement line. Then I placed a layer of Hobbs Tuscany Wool Batting and my choice of fabric on top. The machine then stitches the flower outline and I trimmed the fabric beyond those stitches. The machine did the rest. The flower and detail were stitched with Aurifil 40wt thread.
Finishing
Hobbs Poly-Down Batting is lightweight low loft batting that was great for finishing my quilt. The thread for quilting was Aurifil Forty3, it’s one of the few threads that I can use on my longarm without breaking.
Enjoying one of the few days with sunshine instead of rain.
As usual, it was very windy on this day which made it difficult to take a picture.
This was a great challenge and die. It was challenging because the Irish Chain die gives a 10″ finished block, and unless you have the 10″ Mix and Match Qube you will need to do some math for a alternate block.
Thank you to all of the Island Batik 2025 Industry Partner.
Visit the other Ambassadors to see what they’re working on.
Giveaway
Island Batik is giving away of a Jabberwocky, Splish Splash FQ bundle this week. Winners will be notified by Island Batik so watch your inbox to claim your prize.
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I like the Dresdens plates in between the Irish chains, very lovely. Happy stitching!
Thank you
I love, love, love your quilt Denise! It is absolutely beautiful! I really love the addition of the Dresden Plates. They are one of my favorite patterns and I wouldn’t have thought to add them to an Irish Chain quilt. This is definitely going on my “To Do” list. Thank you for sharing today.
Thank you. The Dresden is becoming one of my favorites too and they answered the call for this finish.
Beautiful!! The Dresden Plates and embroidered flowers are a perfect compliment to the Irish Chain blocks!! LOVELY!! ♥️
Thank you Gail, did you see my mistake?
Beautiful quilt, Denise! Love the Dresden’s as the alternate block.
Thank you, did you see my mistake?
Love the colors in your quilt, but especially, the colors in the dresdens!
Thank you
This is gorgeous, Denise! I really love those Dresden plates you added and you did a fantastic job on your ITH embroidered flowers! So pretty and such a great collection. I can see why you didn’t want to cut into it!
Thank you. Dresdens are really becoming one of my favorites to make.
Hi Denise, I really love your Irish Chain paired with the Dresden plates and the pretty flowers. You did a great job and it looks like you’re learning to use you embroidery machine more. That’s terrific. Did you FMQ around the flower or was that also the embroidery machine? It looks really great.
Thank you! Al of my quilting is done fmq on my longarm.