“Step by Step” Challenge

I’m so excited to start my third year as an Island Batik Ambassador! I’m really looking forward to the challenges we have been given this year, and the fabrics are absolutely gorgeous!

Our first challenge as an Island Batik Ambassador for 2022 is to use the beautiful Gradation fabrics we received to make a quilt. Look at the beautiful teals I was given! These are available as yardage in quilt shops now. I couldn’t wait to get started.

Right away, I knew I wanted to try a Bargello quilt but, having never made one …where to begin. I did some research, looked at several projects and was especially inspired by Eileen Wright’s book, Twist and Turn Bargello Quilts. I used her quilt, Surf Song, as a starting place. The fabrics were similar and the design was pleasant. I followed the cutting instructions but added 1/2″. By cutting my strips 2″ wide, I had enough fabric for eight strips.

Once I had my strips cut, I sewed them together. I used all twenty fabrics, sewing two strips together, for 40 strips for each row. Each finished 1 1/2″ wide which gave the quilt a length of 60″ before borders… a nice lap size.

I sewed them into loops, separating the blocks in the order I wanted for my design. I did one row at a time carefully labeling each strip. Since I didn’t really know what my design was going to be, this was tricky but easy to change as I went along.

I was careful to number my strips so I wouldn’t get confused. This was a tip shared with me by Jackie O’Brien of If These Threads Could Talk. You ought to go to her web page; it’s awesome as is Jackie!

My design wall became my playground.

Once I decided on my design, I sewed the rows together. They went together smoothly because each strip was pressed to the even number block, which allowed all the seams to snug up nicely and come together easily.

I used Aurifil 50 weight thread for my piecing with a Schmetz Microtex needle. To quilt my project I used Hobbs Cotton batting and Aurifil 40 weight thread.

I do suggest using a shorter stitch since you are cutting rows apart, taking out seams, and restitching.

It was pretty cold on the beach so the water wasn’t as pretty as I would have liked for pictures, but I hope you enjoy my attempts.

I enjoyed making a Bargello quilt and would like to try some of the other designs. The Gradation fabrics were perfect. I’ll have to try some of the other colors.

On Wednesday I will release my Unboxing Video. Be sure to check back to see the rest of the beautiful fabrics and supplies given to me by Island Batik.

The products I used were generously supplied to me by these sponsors.