Saint Paddy and Island batik hop
Island Batik
Welcome to my stop in the Island Batik “Paper-Pieced Celebrations Blog Hop” hosted by Island Batik, using the 2023 Winter collections. The challenge for this month was to make a lap size or larger quilt using the surprise collection we received in box 1 back in January. Today, Kim (Chatterbox Quilts) and I are sharing our finishes in this last week of the hop.
The 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 and new this year, Oliso Irons.
View the entire hop schedule, with links on the Island Batik Blog. You can also click on the logo below for a list of Island Batik Ambassadors websites.
Fabric
The Grove, designed by Kathy Engle for Quilters’ Treasure Chest is so lovely. Naturally, the colors led my thoughts to the Emerald Isle and St Patrick’s Day. The collection includes 20 fabrics with lovely prints of trees, dots, leaves, and pine needles.
You will find colors that range from a very delicate light green to dark green prints, with a little teal mixed in between, as you’ll see in the following photos. Although I rarely admit it. green seems to be my favorite color. When I say “seems to be” it’s because I have so much green in my life and it’s really unintentional.
saint paddy pattern
For the hop I designed a 60″x 72″ quilt pattern I call Saint Paddy and hosted a 4 week sew along. For 4 weeks I released a new round every Monday so others could join in and make their own Saint Paddy quilt. You can view more here. There are even prizes, sponsors and linkup at the bottom of this post.
The pattern includes templates for each round as well as directions for traditional patchwork. The shamrock medallion must be FPP. Saint Paddy is available to purchase in my Etsy and Payhip shops.
The background fabric I chose to pair with The Grove is Island Batik Black Black Solid. Island Batik Solids are available throughout the year and are of the same quality as their prints.
For piecing I used 50wt Aurifil Thread and Schmetz Microtex Needles. Aurifil Thread has been a favorite of mine even before becoming an Island Batik Ambassador because I love its strength.
For the shamrocks I used four fabrics from the collection and they are FPP.
The middle round can be FPP or made with traditional patchwork, directions for both are included in the pattern.
Next was adding the middle border strips. The super hot Oliso 1600 for quilters pressed my heavy seams flat.
I really love the way The Grove pops against the black background. Doesn’t it look like it could glow in the dark?
There are 8 fabrics in this collection that I did not use in Saint Paddy, they’ll find a home in an upcoming quilt.
Quilting
My go-to batting when using black or dark fabrics is Heirloom® Premium 80/20 Black Cotton/Poly Blend from Hobbs Batting. But I also use their bleached and unbleached batting and I love it! Their 100% Wool batting is the best.
For my quilting thread I used Aurifil Forty3 which I purchased from MaryMackMadeMine’s Etsy Shop.
I opted for a loopty loop quilt design FMQ on my longarm.
Ah Spring, we finally got a break from the rain and I was able to snap a quick photo. I love love love this finish and will be using it all year long, not just in March.
Visit my Shop page to purchase Saint Paddy pattern
Shops
Here are just a couple of shops where you can find The Grove.
| Laural’s Fabrics and More, LLC | Lino Lakes | MN |
| Queen Bee Quilts | Galesville | WI |
To find a local shop who carries Island Batik fabric or to search by collection visit one of the links below.
Final linkup for the saint paddy sew along
If you have been sewing along don’t forget to share your finish in the linkup, see rules here.
Be sure to visit the generous sponsors:
One winner of a pdf pattern from Pamela Quilts
One winner of a pdf pattern from Songbird Designs
One winnder of a pdf pattern from Inflorescence
Island Batik-1 fq bundle from the fall/winter 2023 collection
3 people will win an Island Batik Stash Builder Pack from A Quiltery.
Island Batik giveaway
Island Batik is giving away 2 fat quarter bundles. Be sure to complete the rafflecopter for a chance to win, good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This is so pretty… I love the colors in this line.
Thank you, yes the colors are really lovely.
I just want to thank you for your generosity for designing and hosting the St Paddy’s Day QAL for free. I downloaded all the steps, only did not have the time to make it (yet). I hope to get to it later this year. Thank you again for everyting.
I really appreciate the thanks. Please remember to come back and share your finish and thank you!
Very pretty, Denise! It really does look like glow in the dark on the black background! Great quilt and collection!
Thank you, I love the collection.
I love it! It does have a glow to it. The border design is really eye catching, too. Have a great weekend!
Thank you Jennifer
I’m Irish so I simply love this! What pretty greens in that collection. They really pop against the black. Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss.
https://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2024/05/29/wednesday-wait-loss-382
Thank you Jennifer