Sweet Cardinal

The April Challenge for the Island Batik/Lumin Fabrics Ambassadors is to make a Drunkard's Path quilt. I used Electric Quilt 8 to look up blocks and to design some possible quilts. I chose a mini Drunkard's Path block #1461a in EQ8. I took each block of the mini-block and placed it into it's own 10" square. I then made four quarters

(40" x 40" each) into an 80" x 80" quilt.

Mini Drunkard's Path block 1461a

I have always wanted to make a red and white quilt, and I figured now was the time to do it!

40" x 40" Quarter

80" x 80" layout

I decided to use white solid and BE31-C1Bubbles Cherry. I needed 64 blocks; 32 of each colorway. I printed out the templates from EQ8 and used a repositionable glue stick to cut out my fabrics. I used Aurifil thread and Schmetz Microtex needles.

When I sew my curves together: I use a dab of glue on one end and match my end. Then I weave a long Clover fine pin in and out. I do the same thing on the other side. Next, I use my glue pen and glue down around the curve. You do not want to stretch the fabric while doing this. I use a 1/4" foot and a purple thang to sew my 1/4" seam allowance. Remember, you want to sew the best 1/4" seam allowance that you can, so that you will have a nice smooth curve on the front. I used my Oliso iron (dry) to press my blocks; I pressed towards the red. I made four quarter quilts and then sewed them together to make one large quilt.

I used Hobbs Thermore batting. Janice Roy longarmed the quilt for me.

I decided on the name "Sweet Cardinal", because I have seen an abundance of red cardinals in my yard the last few weeks. I really do love my red and white quilt!

On a funny note, when I saw the Island Batik April challenge logo, I thought the design looked familiar to me. I went back and looked at my design and I realized I had made the quilt in the challenge logo!

Be sure to check out the rest of the Island Batik Ambassadors and their projects. I have seen some very nice quilts for this challenge.

• Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs

• Renee Atkinson ~ Pink Tulip Quilting

• Tina Dillard ~ Quilting Affection Designs

• Brittany Fisher ~ Bobbin with Brittany

• Kimberly Flannagan ~ Kimberly’s Quilts

• Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts

• Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts

• Kim Jamieson-Hirst ~ Chatterbox Quilts

• Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs

• Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt

• Connie Kresin Campbell ~ Freemotion by the River

• Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood

• Denise Looney ~ A Quiltery

• Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights

• Susan Michaels ~ Dragonfly Fiberart

• Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion

• Sarah Pitcher ~ Pitcher’s Boutique

• Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail

• Carol Stanek ~ Stitch with Color

• Solomae Stoycoff ~ Cuddle Cat Quiltworks

• Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations