Dresden Plate Blog Hop

Oh, my are you in for some lovely inspiration!  The Island Batik Ambassadors are sharing their Dresden Plate challenge quilts with the new collections shipping to stores soon.  Please ask your favorite shops and look online for the collections.  

Today I present Butterfly Haven, a signature collection for Jennifer from CurliQuecreations.com.  She's been an ambassador with me for many years, and I'm thrilled she's getting signature collections.  This one is really pretty, and designed by Jerry Khiev.  

Butterfly Haven has beautiful leaf designs, lots of butterflies, and a starburst flower tjap.  The colors range from a pale gray, to lime grass green, forest, shades of purple in eggplant and aubergine, and pinks like salmon and raspberry.  The colors are not bright, but more muted, like during a rainstorm.  

I received a 1/2 yard bundle of the 20 fabrics, plus a light green and a dark green for this hop in my Ambassador box in June, as the Surprise bundle.  We were asked to make a lap size or larger quilt using as many SKUs as we could.  I played in EQ8 with their Dresden Plate designs until I came up with something I felt looked pleasing, and reminded me of butterflies fluttering down.  I used 19 of the 20 fabrics for the top, and will add the 20th as a second border.  The last few weeks have been a challenge, with many things coming at the same time, so I only had time to finish the main part of the top for photos for today.  The time change didn't help!  It got dark an hour earlier than yesterday.  

I placed the fabrics in a pile and tested a few background options.  I picked Coconut.  I cut 20 squares from this, and then decided to use the 4 different main greens as the quarter circles, and have them cascade down the diagonal.  Then I picked the 15 prints for the petals.  I wanted to use them all, but that would mean having many more petals, and although my original idea was to do a colorwash effect, that would make way too many changes in the blocks.  As it is, I have 12 different blocks, 20 total.  With the 3 main color petals, and 4 different quarter circles, it was a challenge to keep everything straight, and work quickly.  

I also didn't have much fusible web, and couldn't find a ruler that was the right size for the wedges.  Normally the "math" for the wedge shape would be the 18* wedge tool, but the ones I had didn't match up with the templates I printed from EQ8.  So I got creative and used freezer paper.  After counting how many of each quarter circle I needed, how many would fit on a strip, and how long to make the strips for the petals, I traced the templates onto freezer paper, pressed them on the fabric using my Oliso Pro iron, and put a new Schmetz size 12 Chrome needle in my Janome 9450.  I threaded it with Aurifil 50wt in white for piecing.  

Some of the steps are shown here. 

I trimmed the layers of petals with a ruler aligned with the freezer paper.  For the quarter circles, I used scissors to trim the curve after trimming the 2 sides with the ruler.  

With this design, to make the points, you fold the petal in half along the 2 long sides, and sew along the top (wide) part.  You press that seam open, and flip it to the wrong side, so your petal has a point with pressed edges.  A stiletto helps to push the point out.  The Oliso iron was great for pressing this shape down.  

My next step was to sew the petals together in the right order.  Success!  No need for seam ripper.  

After that, I placed the 1/4 plate on the Coconut fabric square, making sure that the points were over 1/4" away from the sides, and then placed the quarter circle on.  I actually used pins and a glue stick for this part, rather than fusible web.  I could have trimmed the Coconut from behind after applique, but I decided to leave it.  After I had a few pieces ready to applique, I changed to a dark green Aurifil 50wt, and found a dark salmon pink, as well.  I used the first applique blanket stitch, and didn't use a stabilizer, so it was not perfect, but I was happy with the results.  The quarter circle is raw edge, the petals are folded under.  I used the pink on the petals, even if they were purple.  Most of the fabrics had some of the pink in it.  

At this point, I decided to use the printed copy of the design and really plan the blocks and locations.  I  counted how many I needed to make, numbered each block, and used a numbered pin to mark each.  Once I had 2 rows together, I took a photo.  

Oops, what happened?  

The second row is not right!  I realized I had it flipped, the block marked 5 should be under 1, not 4.  So, time with the seam ripper.  And picking off the clipped threads.  

I kept making blocks and then doing applique for the edges.  Using the numbered pins helped a lot.  I numbered them as I pinned the petals and the quarter circle.  It was rather quick to assemble the top, to this point, after the blocks were done. 

Before pressing and final borders, and sunset.  

My next step is to cut and add borders, then quilt it.  

This is my plan to use for the borders.  It will finish about 68 by 80 inches.  

I'll use a wide back and get it done soon.  I'm currently finishing up quilts and getting ready to vend at our guild quilt show November 9 and 10, at the Community Center in Mineola, NY.  I'll update this blog post when it's done. 

In the meantime, please follow along with the other Ambassadors.  Lisa is sharing her gorgeous top today, as well, and there will be 3 weeks of give-aways by many of the Ambassadors and from Island Batik.  Leave a comment below either answering the Island Batik prompt, or telling me about your Dresden Plate experience, and I'll enter you for my give away of some gorgeous Island Batik fabrics.  US only, unless you wish to help pay for the extra shipping to your country.  

Thanks for visiting!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

WEEK 1

November 4:

• Maryellen McAuliffe, Mary Mack Made Mine
• Lisa Pickering, Lisa’s Quilting Passion

November 5:

• Pamela Boatright, PamelaQuilts
• Connie Kresin Campbell, Freemotion by the River

November 6:

• Mania Hatzioannidi, Mania for Quilts
• Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail

November 7:

• Megan Best, BestQuilter
• Connie Kauffman, Kauffman Designs

November 8:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 1 and Giveaway

WEEK 2

November 12:

• Lana Russel, Lana Quilts
• Julia Schweri, Inflorescence Designs

November 13:

• Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs
• Denise Looney, Quiltery

November 14:

• Jane Hauprich, Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting
• Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations

November 15:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 2 and Giveaway

WEEK 3

November 18:

• Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts
• Susan Deshensky, Lady Blue Quilt Studio

November 19:

• Renee Atkinson, Pink Tulip Quilting
• Brittany Fisher, Bobbin with Brittany

November 20:

• Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights
• Suzy Webster, Websterquilt
• Sarah Pitcher, Pitcher’s Boutique LLC

November 21:

• Carol Stanek, Stitch With Color
• Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood

November 22:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 3 and Final Giveaway

WEEK 4

November 25:

• Sandra Starley, Textile Time Travels
• Victoria Johnson, Forever Quilting For You

November 26:

End of Blog Hop + Final Round Up

ByAnnie.com Challenge

 What's in your bag?  

For October, the Island Batik Ambassadors were challenged to choose a pattern from Byannie.com and fabrics from any of the collections currently in shops, and make a bag.  ByAnnie sent all of the supplies and the pattern, and Island Batik included fabric in our July boxes.  All products shown were provided for my role as ambassador. 

I picked from the Poetic Bouquet collection.  I used SKU 112435915 for the accent (aqua with leaves), and 112403875 for the outside, with 112406405, the pale pink/lavender for the inside lining, and 112403828 for the straps, trim, and binding.  

By Annie included the pattern, bottom support, strapping, interfacing, zippers, all the hardware, Soft and Stable foam, and mesh.  I had some purple mesh so I used that, instead.  The pink they sent was pretty, but I wanted it to be more purple.  Keep in mind these items were chosen months ago, and the fabric required for the outside, inside and accent were all the same amount, so when I actually started the bag, I may have "moved" where things went.  I decided to use the darkest for the main part of the bag, so it doesn't show dirt.  

Island Batik makes a pretty bundle for us in the boxes!  I've actually made one of these before, but wanted one in my colors, and I couldn't think of any other bags I wanted to make that I didn't already have the pattern for.  So, Round Trip Duffle #2 was completed.  

I think Heather wants to go away!  She jumped right in to the photo op, and looked like she was asking about our next adventure.  

First, a note about By Annie patterns.  

They are BRILLIANT!  The Soft and Stable help give the bag body support and stability, but it's still flexible and can be folded/smushed to go into a larger suitcase.  The way the bag is construced, with the binding and straps, gives it an "invisible" frame, if you will.  The photos are with the bag, empty.  It stays like the "cube" because of the seams and straps.  Really smart!  The directions are clear, easy to read, and contain check boxes so you can mark that you've completed something.  Plus many of the By Annie patterns have Add On Videos with detailed instructions and hints, and you can watch them over and over.  With the purchase of the patterns, you get a $5 coupon to cover the cost of the video, estentially making it free.  She gives hints on how to assemble the parts, and before you know it, you have a bag. 

First step is to read all the directions before unpacking the fabric.  That should be your first with any pattern, but here's your chance to double check you understand, and to watch the video if needed.  

Step 2 is to quilt the outer fabric and lining using Soft and Stable.  I requested a little extra fabric to make it easier to do on my Handi-Quilter Amara with Pro-Stitcher.  I picked a panto called Flower Fields for my bag.  You can easily quilt this in sections on a domestic machine, though.  Annie tells you how to prep the fabric. 

I used Aurifil 40-three in purple for the quilting.  

Then you cut out all of the sections.  There's a diagram as well as a list in the pattern.  The diagram shows best use of the fabric, and how sections should be placed.  Some things require interfacing, like the trim on the pockets.  You also make zipper pulls, so having a Clover bias tape maker is helpful.  

I wound 2 bobbins with Aurifil 40wt thread that I thought would look good, and switched my Janome 9450 to the Even Feed foot and single needle plate, and added in a size 14 Schmetz quilting needle.  I think it's one of the best options for going through the thick layers, and the walking foot was a big help, too.  Of course the Oliso Pro iron was a huge help, too.  It worked so well on the interfacing, and getting the straps and zipper pulls to look great!

Here's where I "play" a bit.  I don't always follow the directions in order.  I've sewn so many things, from pajamas to wedding gowns, plus other bags, and like to get the similar items done chain-piece style.  So, I sewed all the strap covers at once, then pressed them all, cut all the strapping web to the right sizes, used a safety pin to pull them all through, did all the edge stitching, and then added the hardware as directed in the pattern.  I was so happy that they provided the silver tone set, I think it looks awesome.  They have a few different colors of metal available, so you can give your bag a personalized look.  

You also prep the binding ahead, and add the interfacing as needed.  (This photo shows one side, with a slip pocket under the aqua with lavender trim section, which goes down to the bottom corner, and again helps to add shape to the bag, plus storage for a phone or document, plane tickets, etc.)  The swivel clip into the triangle ring is removable, so you can just use the main handles if you want, but this strap has a shoulder pad, as well.  

Adding the trim to the pockets, and then pockets to the front and back of the bag is next.  Adding the straps secures the pocket sections, and also creates the divider sections on the inner slip pocket.  

Front has a zipper pocket and a slip pocket behind it.  

Inside Front with 3 sections.

The back of the bag includes a trolly sleeve for your roller bags.  There's a slip pocket behind that.  

Are you counting?? That's 5 pockets on the outside alone.  Inside is the 3 slip, plus a zippered mesh pocket on the back side. 

The aqua at the bottom is a removable cover for the stabilizer base.  

The next step is making the zipper strip and sides/bottom for the bag, then sewing this to the front, binding the edge, and adding the back and binding.  Once that's done, the last step is to press it, add the zipper pulls and celebrate!  

Large clips help hold the sections together.  I highly recommend them, because pins will not be efficient here.  

2 way zipper at the top, and the zip opens a few inches past each corner, so you can easily see inside the bag.  It's about 12 by 19 1/2 by 7 1/2" deep, so a great size for a weekend trip, or as your carry on if you have other luggage.  

Please check out the other Island Batik Ambassadors to see their bags this month.  By Annie has something for everyone, including some free patterns, so you can download something and see what I mean about the quality of the patterns, and learn steps that Annie uses to make her bags.  

Have fun, and thanks for stopping by!  

Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs

Renee Atkinson ~ Pink Tulip Quilting

Megan Best ~ BestQuilter

Pamela Boatright ~ PamelaQuilts

Susan Deshensky ~ Lady Blue Quilts Studio

Brittany Fisher ~ Bobbin with Brittany

Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts

Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts

Jane Hauprich ~ Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting

Kim Jamieson-Hirst ~ Chatterbox Quilts

Victoria Johnson ~ Forever Quilting for You

Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs

Connie Kresin Campbell ~ Freemotion by the River

Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood

Denise Looney ~ A Quiltery

Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights

Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine

Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion

Sarah Pitcher ~ Pitcher’s Boutique

Lana Russel ~ Lana Quilts

Julia Schweri ~ Inflorescence Designs

Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail

Carol Stanek ~ Stitch with Color

Sandra Starley ~ Textile Time Travels

Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations

Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt