Cozy Cabins {Log Cabin Quilts with Island Batik}

As an Island Batik Ambassador, I am provided with samples of various lines of Island Batik fabrics to use and share with you!

Our theme for November is log cabin blocks! Log cabin blocks are a ubiquitous quilt component from antique quilts to modern quilts! I created a new Log Cabin Pinterest board while I was thinking about what to make for this challenge.

I found that I was frequently drawn to what many people call "quarter log cabin" blocks and so I decided that I would use this as my design inspiration for this challenge.

When looking through my Island Batik fabric stash, I decided to pull out my 10" stacker of Spirit Rhythm fabric for this project. For my project, I wanted something simpler and also something that would efficiently use my layer cake squares.

I did quite a bit of math (which is the fun part for me!) and found that I could easily make 25 9.5" quarter log cabin blocks from this stacker (Island Batik stackers have 42 10" squares, FYI) with a little bit of wiggle room for miscuts, just in case. When I did the math, trying to cut for 30 blocks was *very* tight and had no room for mistakes, so I figured going with a 25 block quilt was the best route.

To do the cutting, I sorted my 10" squares into three piles -- one pile for the center squares, one pile for the first round of logs, and one pile for the outer round of logs for the blocks.

One block requires:
One (1) 4.5" square for the center of the block (color A)
One (1) 3" x 4.5" rectangle for the first round (color B)
One (1) 3" x 7" rectangle for the first round (color B)
One (1) 3" x 7" rectangle for the second round (color C)
One (1) 3" x 9.5" rectangle for the second round round (color C)

I put together a quick diagram on how I cut the parts from my 10" squares while wasting as little fabric as possible.

In the color B square and the first color C square, I had a little bit of extra fabric that wasn't quite 3" wide due to trimming. From those scraps, I cut all of that extra fabric into 2.5" squares for a future project.

Here's my fabrics all cut:

Here are my first few blocks:

Now I'll be working on getting the rest of the blocks done and then putting the top together. This will tentatively be a Christmas/"thank you for being an amazing friend for over 10 years" gift!

Sharing with Main Crush Monday!

Little Twinkle {Starstruck Quilt}

Our September Island Batik Ambassador theme is *Starstruck*! Quilters love star quilts!

For this project, I decided to work on a baby sized version of my Twinkle quilt using the layer cake of Paisley Dot that came in my most recent Island Batik Ambassador box. As an Island Batik Ambassador, I am provided with samples of various lines of Island Batik fabrics to use and share with you!

Now is a perfect time to remake this pattern -- This pattern is now available on Etsy and PayHip!! As a refresher, here's my original Twinkle quilt, made with the Mountain Majesty collection from Island Batik:

I pulled pink and teal fabrics from the layer cake above to make nine Twinkle star blocks for a baby quilt.

Nine blocks and a few spacers sewn together and the quilt top is done! This setting with spacers gives a quilt that is 42" x 36".

I will need to make a quick trip to grab some flannel for the back of this baby quilt. But in the meantime, let's do another giveaway of some great Island Batik goodies!

I still have 2/3rds of my Paisley Dot 10" stacker, so I will be giving away a dozen 10" squares (which comes out to just under a yard of fabric) in the color scheme of your choosing! I've used the pink and the teal squares, but there are still plenty of beautiful colors of 10" squares!

To enter, just tell me which colors you would pick -- or just tell me your favorite colors and I'll put together a great combo for you! My suggestion would be either the primary colors or the cool colors! Giveaway will close on Tuesday morning!

The giveaway is now closed and our winner is Carol! Good luck with your baby quilt!

Folk Art Fantasy Blog Hop {Bunny Patch Placemats Tutorial + Giveaway}

Update: the giveaway is now closed, winner noted below!

Happy Thursday! Today I am your host for the Folk Art Fantasy blog hop, showing off Amanda Murphy's latest fabric collection!

I have long been a fan of Amanda Murphy's fabric, and this collection is no exception! The prints are fun and unique!

This one might just be my favorite because it has bunnies in some of the prints! I decided to use this as my inspiration to make some reversible patchwork and applique bunny placemats!

You will need:
One 10x10 stacker of Folk Art Fantasy (or approximately 2 yards total of various fabrics)
2/3 yard of fabric of your choice for binding

Before we start cutting, we need to sort our 10 inch squares. You will not need all of them!
-- Pull out four (4) white or light colored 10 inch squares for our bunny applique sections
-- Choose twenty four (24) squares that will be your "featured" fabrics on the "front"

For clarity, I will call the side with our applique bunny the "front" and the scrappy patchwork side the "back".

For each of your twenty four (24) featured fabrics, cut the following pieces in order: cut a 10 x 3.5 inch strip first, then cut the remaining piece into a 6.5 inch square and a 6.5 x 3.5 inch rectangle. By cutting precisely and in order, you will be able to cut these three pieces from a single 10 inch square.

Set aside your 6.5 x 3.5 inch rectangles and your 10 x 3.5 inch rectangles. Using your twenty four (24) 6.5 inch squares, sew together in groups of six to create four "front" pieces for our placemats.

Trace the applique motif of your choice onto fusible web four times. Iron these onto your four white or light colored squares and trim along the edge of the design. Remove the backing paper and iron onto the center of each placemat "front". Machine applique as desired.

(And yes, that is the same bunny clip art used in the header of my blog!)

For each "backing", you will need six (6) 10 x 3.5 inch rectangles and three (3) 6.5 x 3.5 inch rectangles. (You will have twelve extra 6.5 x 3.5 inch rectangles.) First, sew your 10 x 3.5 inch rectangles in pairs of contrasting fabrics, and then sew a 6.5 x 3.5 inch rectangle to each pair, as shown in the first picture. Sew three of these units together for each backing, for a total of four backings.

Layer together the backing, batting, and fronts and quilt as desired. I love to use batting scraps for projects like these! Note: your front pieces and your backing pieces will be the EXACT same width. Make sure to align them when you're pinning!

I quilted my placemats with a simple meander in white. I used 2.5 inch binding and bound these completely by machine for strength and stability (because I know these will end up in the washing machine on a regular basis!)

If you're interested in winning a fat quarter bundle of Folk Art Fantasy:

1. For everyone: leave a comment telling me what sort of shape you'd applique in your version of these placemats! (one entry)
2. For followers/sharers: leave a comment telling me how you follow -OR- share this post on social media and tell me where you shared it (one entry)

The giveaway will be open until Monday morning!

Update: our winner is Emily C!

If you haven't already, check out the rest of the posts on this week's hop!

Tuesday: Mandy of Mandalei Quilts 

Wednesday: Benartex Blog Design Team 

Thursday: Alison of Little Bunny Quilts 

Friday: Amanda of Material Girls Quilts

Thanks to Amanda Murphy and Benartex for inviting me to share Folk Art Fantasy with you!

Sharing at Finish it up Friday!