Come Fly Away with the Island Batik Ambassadors this month! Here's my Geese in a Row. I may not have my ducks in a row, but my geese are! lol
Our challenge this June was to use the Flying Geese unit made with any of the precuts we received in our January box We could make anything, and any size, but as you've seen, I tend to go large! I picked the Brilliant Blue 10" Stack and some Basics 1/2 yard pieces I've received over the 10 years in the generous boxes of supplies we get. It's so much fun to be an Island Batik Ambassador! Our generous supplies include Schmetz needles, Aurifil thread, tools from Studio 180 designs, and Hobb's Batting.
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Brilliant Blue has a gorgeous array of shades, from palest Sky to Midnight navy. I wanted to showcase a few shades of this collection, and use the gradations in a way that put the variety in view. I chose Solid Grey for the background, to allow the blues to shine. My 2 favorite ways to make Flying Geese units include the Studio 180* Wing Clipper, and the Quilt in a Day Flying Geese tools. Both patterns make 4 geese from one larger square. I used the Wing Clipper for this one, as the "wing" parts are cut from smaller pieces, rather than a larger square. Either way, there's a great way to trim the units to the exact size you need. When I want a variety of sizes of geese, the Wing Clipper is easier to find. Multiple sizes on one tool makes it efficient.
To start, I picked a number of darkest blue squares, and the instructions. You can get 4 4x8" finished flying geese from one 9 1/2" square, and I cut the Wing sections 1/4" larger than the requirements. It allows me a little extra room on the top for trimming, and not losing the points. Once I made a few geese, I decided to head to EQ8 to decide on the overall design. Before this, I had so many ideas in my head! It was overwhelming to have so many great ideas, so I decided to sew some first, then plan the design that best accomplishes my favorite idea. I actually changed it again after sewing the geese, since I made too many of the larger ones. 3 rows of the largest ones, with the darkest on the outside and bottom row, and lighter ones towards the center. Then I wanted to add a separating row, to help make the quilt longer. Next was 3x6" geese in the medium shades of blue, another separating row, then the palest row, of 2x4" geese. The number of geese in each row goes according to the width of the top. I chose the sizes based on the divisibility; all are factors 48. Yes, there's math in quilting! Overall, after quilting, it measures about 64 by 70", a great size for a throw or coverlet for twin bed.
Trimming to size, and using the pink Highlighter tape makes it easy to find the lines needed.
The overall design is mirrored top to bottom and side to side and lightest in the center. The separator fabrics were from 1/2 yard Basics cuts. The center is Sky, the next is Bluebird Circles, and the outer is Cornflower. Navy makes up the border and binding. Grey separates the top and outer border. I love being able to use almost the whole 10" square for the larger geese, and getting 4 units. The smaller ones were trimmed to the required size, so there are a few scraps to use in addition to the remaining squares. I'll play with them soon, and make something else.
I pieced all with a Schmetz Quilting 12 needle, and Aurifil 50wt thread. I quilted it with Warm & Natural batting, and used a royal blue Shannon Cuddle wide backing I have. Quilting panto is West Wind from My Creative Stitches. I felt geese needed wind to help fly, lol. Of course, I used my Handi-Quilter Amara with Pro-Stitcher. Quilting thread is Aurifil Forty-3 in Stonewash Blues variegated, since the shades went with all the fabric colors. There's great texture and movement, and the quilt is so pretty.
After the quilt was done, I went to Jones' Beach to get some photos, but didn't realize they have already started charging the parking fee daily. I thought it was only weekends for now, so I drove a little further until I found a free parking lot overlooking the Robert Moses Water tower and Fire Island. I'm all about finding free photo locations.
More photos for you to enjoy!
Backyard photos for the rest.
Close up, but the colors are better in person.
Side texture shot.
The wind gives you a peek at the backing.
If you're looking for Brilliant Blue Stack, I have one in my Etsy shop (link on the right), and also have Navy, Ravine, Sky and Bluebird in yardage, as well as Solid Grey and Cobalt. You may find other shops that carry Brilliant Blue, including Cozy Creative Center, Hancock's of Paducah, Stitchin' Heaven, and Divine Threads, NY.
Please check out the other Island Batik Ambassadors to see their inspiring projects.
Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood
Sarah Pitcher, Pitcher’s Boutique, Claudia Porter, Create with Claudia, Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs Elita Sharpe, Busy Needle Quilting, Reed Johnson, Blue Bear Quilts Suzy Webster, Websterquilt, Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts, Renee Atkinson, Pink Tulip Quilting, Denise Looney, For the Love of Geese, Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail, Anorina Morris, Samelia’s Mum, Sandra Starley, Textile Time Travels, Susan Deshensky, Lady Blue Quilts, Randi Jones, Randi’s Roost, Brittany Fisher, Bobbin with Brittany Lisa Pickering, Lisa’s Quilting Passion, Victoria Johnson, Forever Quilting for You, Mania Hatziioannidi, Mania for Quilts, Lana Russel, Lana Quilts, Pamela Boatright, Pamela Quilts, Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations, Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights, Connie Kauffman, Kauffman Designs
Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you choose to make some geese!
Maryellen
