Island Batik Free Theme

This month Island Batik Ambassadors were given a free time to create anything we wanted. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. I had just received my Studio 180 Design Star 60 tool and couldn’t wait to play.

The Star 60 tool will make hexagon, diamond, and triangle shapes to make star points, or you can mix and match diamond and triangle shapes. There are so many possibilities for some pretty fabulous designs. I’m just beginning so I wanted to start with the basic star shape and just play with the layouts.

For my fabric I choose to use Island Batik stash builders, 5″ strips that come four in a roll to get a scrappy look; lots of colors and beautiful fabrics. For the background I choose a foundation fabric, Egg White.

Out of one strip I was able to cut six diamond shapes, six companion triangles and have an 18″ x 2″ strip to use in the border.

Like all the Studio 180 Design tools, shapes are made larger and then trimmed to precision: no missing points, and much less stress than other methods.

Once I got my basic star shapes made, it was time to play on my design wall. I liked just the stars, but adding the Companion Triangles was a win for me. I also had to play with how to finish the rows. I could use half stars in every other row to finish, but choose to use half a hexagon shape instead and add the star shape with quilting later.

I really enjoyed quilting this with a focus on the star shapes. So much fun, but it could be I just love quilting. I pieced and quilted using Aurifil thread; I also used Schmetz needles.

Be sure to check out my fellow Island Batik Ambassadors to see what they have created this month. They have done an awesome job!