Batiks Go Modern

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

I've known for months what I wanted to make for this month's Island Batik Ambassador challenge. Then when I got my new shipment of Island Batik fabric a couple weeks ago, I completely changed my mind!


Modern batiks quilt as you go interleave quilt


I am half-way through my year as an Island Batik Ambassador. I just got my second (and final) shipment of fabrics - and ooh la la! Such beautiful fabrics! (See what came in the first box here.) I never know what will come in the box. I love the element of surprise and the impending challenge of using the fabrics in modern ways!


Island Batik fabrics

This box included an extra special surprise - some rayon fabric! I've been wanting to work with rayon, and I can't wait for that added challenge in the months to come!


Island Batik rayon fabric

The August challenge for the ambassadors was to create a 36" square or larger quilt using a quilt-as-you-go method. I had decided what I would make clear back in June. Then I opened the shipment of new fabrics and decided to go a completely different route! The stash builder rolls were begging to be made into an Interleave quilt!


Modern batiks quilt as you go interleave quilt

The packs of stash builder rolls are my favorite Island Batik precuts. They are  5" x width of fabric (WOF) strips. Each roll has four strips, and each pack has five rolls.


Modern batiks quilt as you go interleave quilt

I took all the strips out of two packs of stash builder rolls. Upon first glance, they seem mismatched and uncoordinated.


Modern batiks quilt as you go interleave quilt

However, a little rainbow sorting proves they really do go together!


Modern batiks quilt as you go interleave quilt

I chose twenty strips to make my interleave quilt. I followed Lorrie Cranor's tutorial, making just a few adjustments to be able to use the stash builder strips to make a quilt bigger than 36" square.


Modern batiks quilt as you go interleave quilt

I sewed ten strips together to make a quilt top, then sewed another ten together to make a second top. I tried to sew the strips together randomly, only aiming for contrast between rows that were next to each other.


Modern batiks quilt as you go interleave quilt

After sewing the left and right sides together to make a tube, I traced and cut a wave onto both quilt tops.


Modern batiks quilt as you go interleave quilt
Modern batiks quilt as you go interleave quilt

Once the wave was cut, I layered both quilt tops on my cutting mat so I would be able to cut them into strips simultaneously.


Modern batiks quilt as you go interleave quilt

I very badly wanted to skip the next step in Lorrie's tutorial. I knew it would be time consuming. I argued with myself about whether I needed it or not. Ultimately, I decided it's best to follow directions for the first time. 80 hand-drawn lines, 1/2" apart on a piece of Moda Bella White 98. I made this piece as close to square as I could. I measured the WOF, then cut the same amount from the bolt. It was close to 44". (Next time, I'll find a light colored stripe or grid fabric to use instead of drawing them!)


Modern batiks quilt as you go interleave quilt

After making the striped foundation, I pin basted the backing, batting, and foundation fabric. I added two of the stash builder strips to the middle of a one yard cut of a lime green Island Batik fabric for the backing. I used Warm 100 cotton batting by The Warm Co. (Be sure not to use polyester batting, as the hot iron will melt the fibers. 100% cotton batting is best for quilt as you go quilts.)


Modern batiks quilt as you go interleave quilt

After all the prep work, I was finally ready to sew! I cut a 1" strip off both of the quilt tops, then lined them up along the bottom drawn line on the quilt sandwich. Using my walking foot on my Juki TL-2010Q, I used a 1/4" seam to sew through all layers. Once stitched, I pressed the strips open. After just a few strips, the foundation proved it's value! As much as I thought I was sewing straight, the lines on the foundation were extremely helpful in keeping the strips spaced evenly as I went.


Modern batiks quilt as you go interleave quilt

I cut the 1" strips as I went. I knew with two boys around, it would take all of three seconds to get them all mixed up! So I stuck with cutting just one strip from the quilt tops at a time.


Modern batiks quilt as you go interleave quilt

Of course I used Aurifil thread! I recently got this giant cone of 50wt thread in Stone #2324 as part of the Aurifil Artisan program (pictured on the left). This is by far the largest cone of thread I've ever had! It has 6,452 yards of thread - the equivalent of just over 3 1/2 miles of thread! (I usually use the regular spools like the one in the middle; they have 8/10 of a mile of thread on them!)


Modern batiks quilt as you go interleave quilt using Aurifil thread

After all the strips were sewn in place, the quilt was already quilted too!


Modern batiks quilt as you go interleave quilt

For binding, I chose Cat Scratch in Watermelon, as it was one fabric I had enough yardage of for binding. I was concerned that it would clash with the colors in the top, but once finished, it doesn't stand out at all.


Modern batiks quilt as you go interleave quilt

As always when trying something new, I learned a lot during the process! I really love how this quilt turned out, and I definitely want to make another one! There are quite a few variations on Lorrie's tutorial post, and I'd love to try a different one!


Modern batiks quilt as you go interleave quilt

I love how this design turns traditional batiks into a modern quilt.


Modern batiks quilt as you go interleave quilt

The mix of colors is a little outside my normal comfort zone, but I'm so glad I stuck with the process. The end result is well worth it!


Modern batiks quilt as you go interleave quilt

Linking up with Main Crush Monday at Cooking Up Quilts, Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River, Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter, Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts, Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication, Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation, Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts, Can I Get Whoop Whoop? at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, and TGIFF at Quilt is More Fun than Housework.


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39 comments:

  1. That is so stunning! I've never thought batiks weren't modern ... it's all about how you use them :) And yours is just amazingly beautiful. Bravo. I'm afraid to mix colors too, but yours came out so well!

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  2. I just love this quilt-it's stunning, you did a great job.

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  3. Wow Laura, that is all I can say. It is beautiful.

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  4. So awesome! I really want to make one of these now, this is gorgeous. Well done!

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  5. I like the waves, very different pattern.

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  6. This turned out to be so stunning, Laura! Beautiful quilt and lovely description / walk through of your process.

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  7. I love batiks, I love this quilting process (on my list) and I'm really enjoying your quilt. A beauty.

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  8. WOWOWOW....someday I want to make one of these

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  9. Such a beautiful quilt....I want to make one! I've never heard of an Interleave quilt but will certainly be doing some research. Thank you for the tutorial link.

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  10. Your quilt is beautiful! Thank you for sharing her with us.

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  11. This is absolutely stunning! I'm glad you decided to use this pattern. It's perfect with the fabrics. Andrea

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  12. Hi Laura,
    This quilt is just beautiful. That word doesn't really do it justice - I can't think of another word to use. Just draw it out slowly though, beeeeauuuutifullllll. I am not a huge fan of batiks but this is the perfect choice to highlight all the best things about batiks. I'm going to check out that link, too. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  13. Wow! This is gorgeous! All those luscious colors blending in and out of other colors.

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  14. This is amazing! The design, the lines:), the piecing, and the quilt-as-you-go! Island Batik must be over the moon that you are their Ambassador.

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  15. Thank you for sharing your fabulous and creative quilt!

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  16. awesome. fabulous job! thanks for sharing your quilt and the process. micki@2dogstudio.us

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  17. Holy hell, that's amazing. I cannot even conceive of how that all works.

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  18. You have a beautiful quilt here! I love the flow and with your quilting, its a perfect match!

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  19. That is one crazy, seriously awesome quilt!

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  20. That is so gorgeous and effective. Great use of batiks too. Just beautiful.

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  21. Hi Laura, your piece is stunning. Thanks for sharing your process with us.

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  22. Wow! It is incredible! I loved seeing how you made it.

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  23. Stunning finish. Perfect for those lovely batiks. So glad you shared it with TGIFF.

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  24. Following directions isn't always fun, but it sure gives good results. That quilt is just beautiful!

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  25. Beautiful fabrics - this quilt is AMAZING!

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  26. Love this!! Did you use a sine wave? Thanks for sharing!

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  27. Okay, several things. First, I normally don't like quilts that use all batik fabrics. I usually mix them in with other prints and solids. But yours is just GORGEOUS! Second, I've never even wanted to try a quilt as you go quilt, but again, your quilt defies all of my preconceived ideas about what quilt as you go quilts look like. I am totally smitten! Thanks for sharing this project.

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  28. Such a great finish - you certainly met the challenge! And even though marking that batting was time consuming, in the end, it's worth it. Someday, I'll have to make one of these! Thanks for sharing on Midweek Makers!

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  29. Like Rebecca, my experiences with QAYG has been less than stellar. I've avoided it for years now but this makes a world of sense. Now about drawing those line...maybe if I could find a nice stripe fabric that is not too dark. It really would be my best chance of getting straight lines. :) I'm thinking a small project like a pillow would be a good beginning. I definitely want to make one similar to this stunning quilt. It's just so intriguing!

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  30. Wow, so beautiful! I must try this. Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss!

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  31. I just love this quilt! It's so beautiful!

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  32. Fantastic! Would love to try this process, but time is limited in my life these days.!

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  33. It's stunning and beautiful! Question: does this have to be a 'quilt-as-you-go' project?

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    1. This definitely wouldn't have to be! It just saves the step of quilting later on. But you could definitely just sew it together to make a top and then quilt it!

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