Welcome to my stop on the Halloween Hoppin' Blog Hop! Hosted by Marian at Seams To Be Sew, the hop is a fun way to meet new quilters and see what spooky things we've all been stitching!
I knew the hop would be the perfect excuse to sew up a quilt using my Bat Crazy pattern!
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you're new here, hello! I'm Laura! I design quilt patterns, and I'm a self-proclaimed deal hunter! Be sure to join the popular Quilting & Sewing Deals Facebook group where I post sales, deals, and coupon codes from all around the web!
I don't decorate much for Halloween, but for some reason, I LOVE making Halloween quilts! (See previous year's Halloween quilts here, here, here, here, and here!) After designing the bat quilt block last month, I really wanted to make it this year's Halloween quilt! This blog hop was the push to make it happen!
I started with fabrics I had in my stash: Kona Torch, Kona Chartreuse, and Painter's Palette Ebony. I picked up Kona Crocus at my local JoAnn store to complete the mix.
I pieced the whole quilt using 50wt Aurifil #2605 Grey. I buy it by the cone and use it for everything!
The construction of the block uses traditional piecing - but there is a twist! Those aren't half-square triangles! They are squares folded in half to create a triangle. That allows the diagonal edge to be turned up and stitched to create a gentle curve! It's the same technique as machine stitched cathedral windows! Such a fun technique! I used Aurifil 50wt #2692 Black for this step.
It didn't take long before I had a whole colony!
I made twenty blocks and alternated the bats to be either flying or hanging upside down.
Using my dining room table, I taped down the backing, then laid Warm & Natural batting on top, then the quilt top. I pin basted all the layers then tried to pick a thread color for quilting.
I didn't want to quilt over the top of the bats with a bright color, so decided the best option was to only quilt the background of the blocks using matching Aurifil thread.
I had 50wt Aurifil in #1104 Neon Orange and #5017 Shining Green, but the closest purple I had in my stash was 40wt #4225 Dark Dusty Grape.
I did a quick free-motion meander through the background fabrics with the coordinated color, then machine bound the quilt using more Kona Torch. (Tutorial for that here.) I haven't fully committed to leaving the bats unquilted. But I'm also not sure what to add to them so the quilting isn't distracting. I'm going to let it be for now and see how I feel about it in a few days.
I also remembered to sew in one of my new labels when adding the binding! I love them! (I ordered the satin tags from EverEmblem. You can use the code SAVE10 at checkout to get 10% off your order too!)
I love the orange minky backing! In case you were wondering, I do like to still using batting when using minky. It gives the quilt a great weight - perfect for chilly fall and winter days! The quilts in our house with minky on the back get the most use!
I really love how the quilt turned out! The bright colors make it fun and cheerful.
My boys are definitely going to be fighting over who gets to use this one!
The finished quilt measures 48" x 60" - the perfect lap size!
The meander quilting gives the quilt a great cuddly texture too!
It just makes me smile when I see it!
If you'd like to make a Bat Crazy quilt, then get the pattern in my Etsy shop! It's available as a PDF pattern and paper booklet too.
Don't forget to go visit the other bloggers on the hop and show them some love! Everyone has made such fun Halloween projects!!
Monday, October 19
Samelia's Mum
Just Because Quilts
MooseStashQuilting
Orange Blossom Quilt Design Studio
Ms P Designs USA
Morning Glory Designs
Songbird Designs
Elizabeth Coughlin Designs
Slice of Pi Quilts
Just Let Me Quilt
Appliqués Quilts and More
Scrapdash
Words & Stitches
Kathy's kwilts and more
Count It All Joy
Quilted Diary
Flying Parrot Quilts
Seams To Be Sew
__________
If you liked this post, you may also like these:
What a cute quilt. Thanks for the bat quilt block pattern.
ReplyDeleteYour Going Batty quilt is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThis is sooooo cute! I like the bats not quilted, and I really like the alternating right side up/upside down bats. Very fun; I'm sure your boys will fight over it!
ReplyDeleteOh, that looks so cute! Alternate days, and you get to snuggle with it on Sundays! LOL Minkee, who wouldn't want to snuggle it!
ReplyDeletethis is so cute. I love the colors and the positioning of your bats. so fun. thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThank you for the cute pattern
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of using minky as a backing although I've heard it is hard to quilt. Love the bat quilt. That would be just up the alley of my youngest grandchild.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had any issues using it at all. It does stretch, so I'm careful not to stretch it when I baste. Then I pin about a hand-width apart to keep it from shifting during quilting. I've even used it on my longarm!
DeleteHalloween colors are so much fun. I think that's why we love it so much as quilters!
ReplyDeleteDarling finish ... I love that the orientation of the bats flips back and forth—very appropriate. Great colors, too! Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful bat quilt...love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this darling Bat quilt. He is too cute.
ReplyDeleteCarol O
Great job!So pretty!
ReplyDeleteCute quilt! Thank you for the pattern.
ReplyDeleteI love it. It is fun and cheerful. No wonder the quilt makes you smile. Thank you very much for the pattern.
ReplyDeleteAdorable quilt! Love your colors! Thank you for the pattern. Such a great Halloween project.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute quilt and in my favorite Halloween colors!!
ReplyDeleteI think bats are one of my favourite things - shame they are limited to Halloween. Your block is wonderful - it reminds me of Batman (years ago when the series ran with Adam West as Batman), so it is doubly wonderful. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great technique for creating the curves in the wings. Thanks for sharing the pattern.
ReplyDeleteGoing Batty is wonderful. Love that some of the bats are upside-down as that's the way they sleep!
ReplyDeleteGreat pattern. Thanks for sharing! Can’t wait to try. Love the colors!
ReplyDeleteAdorable quilt, thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely adore your batty quilt! I am not a Halloween person, but who doesn't love bats?! Thanks for the pattern!
ReplyDeleteI love these bats, and the way they are flying about your quilt. This is a feel like fun project. Thanks for sharing the pattern as well.
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is SO cool! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSo very cool. We don't really "do" halloween here in Australia, but I really love your batty quilt.
ReplyDeleteLove the quilt. And the colours are amazing. Well done.
ReplyDeleteNice article. thanks for share this. i like your blog commenting this post. I am very happy to see your standard post. Thanks for sharing amazing tips. cotton quilts for sale online india.
ReplyDelete