A Quilt of Many Colors

August is the mini quilt challenge for the Island Batik Ambassadors and boy, there have been some amazing quilts that have been made!

I was going to my usual EQ 8 to try and design some ideas, but the designs weren't coming to fruition. I thought about using one of the fabric gradation collections that I had received from Island Batik. THEN I thought about using all of the fabric gradation collections! Back to EQ 8 I went, trying to figure out how I was going to use 100 colors in a mini quilt no bigger than 24" x 24". I finally came up with 1/4" square triangles; I randomly placed different colors into the triangles. I was going to be able to use all of the fabric colors, several more than once.

I needed to order additional gradation collections. I reached out to my friend, April at Creekside Quilts in Oregon. I've gotten to know her through my Island Batik Ambassador journey. She always sends out my order the day I order it and then she e-mails me, because she knows I am up to something! Island Batik 5" square collections are called "Fabric Stamps" and this is what I ordered from Creekside Quilts. Be sure to check with your local quilt shop to see if they have the Island Batik pre-cuts in stock as well.

The names of the Island Batik gradation collections are:

• Ravishing Red

• Bodacious Black

• Playful Purple

• Opulent Orange

• Precious Pink

• Tantalizing Teal

• Glorious Green

• Brillian Blue

• Breathtaking Brown

For the Neutral Foundations, I had a 2-1/2" strip pack. I cut several 2-1/2" squares from all twenty fabrics: Sugar, Rice, Flour, Buttermilk, Moo Milk, Icing, Sprinkles, Glaze, Almond, Frosting, Fondant, Whip Cream, Eggshell, Milk Shake, Vanilla, Egg White, Cocount, Mocha and Doughnut. I received the Neutral Foundations strip pack from MSQC as a part of my affiliate link.

Next, I cut out 3-1/4" squares from all nine gradation collections. I then sub-cut those squares into four triangles. I used the neutral squares in between the 1/4" triangle blocks.

When I was arranging the triangles, I tried to replicate my original EQ8 design, basically because it helped me to keep things orderly, but because I liked that design. When I had most of the rows ready, I began sewing and assembling the rows.

Plastic lunch trays are a great way to organize projects or you can use them for piecing.

I trimmed each 1/4 triangle block with a 2-1/2" square ruler.

I used Aurifil #2605 for all of my piecing and Schmetz needles 70/10. I also used my Oliso iron. I pressed all of my seam opens to reduce bulk.

Mission accomplished! Now on to quilting.

I quilted a cross-hatch design with Aurifil #2310 and Hobb's Heirloom 90/20 Bleached Cotton Batting. I used Island Batik black solid for the binding. My quilt finished at 24" x 24".

April from Creekside Quilts has graciously offered to donate one 5" Stamp Collection of a winner's choice. So be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram, so that you can enter the giveaway.

Next month, will be the Adventurous Applique Blog Hop with Aurifil. Be sure to follow all of the Island Batik Ambassadors and enter to win fabric bundles on the Island Batik Blog Site.