Thursday, June 27, 2019

Try It! Challenge for Island Batik - Nanette's Fractured Bargello Jacket

I was really excited about the June Challenge that was extended to the Island Batik Ambassadors - to try a new technique.  At first, it was really hard to think of a technique that I haven't tried, but then ideas started coming and I had enough ideas for several challenges!  A quilted garment was one thing that interested me, or maybe a bargello quilt?  In the end, I decide that it would be fun to make a quilted jacket using Nanette's Fractured Bargello Jacket Pattern and do both.  Here are the results:
Colorful and fun!
I really like it - it was fun to choose the colors and arrange them in a pretty order.  The pattern was very helpful and the instructions were easy to follow.  And bonus - I have almost a whole strip set left over and plan to make a matching bag out of that!
I do have to admit that I cheated a little on this challenge, the fabrics I used are all Island Batik, but because I needed 1/3 a yard each of 12 different colors I ended up chosing them from our stock at the quilt shop.  Several are from the Eclectic Garden collection, and some are Paisley Dot.  I love mixing and matching colors and patterns, and it's a fun challenge to take fabrics from different lines and use them together.  It was super fun to combine different lines from Island Batik and just play with making a fun color strata.  The Blueberry Paisley dot I used for the fracture strips was one I had used in a quilt last year - it's definitely my all time favorite color!  

It was serendipity that I needed three 2 1/2 inch strips of each fabric - the 2 1/2 inch strip die for the Go cutter cuts three strips at once!  Since you can cut 6 layers of fabric I was able to cut all my strips with four passes through the cutter - super quick and easy!
After that quick job, it was simple to sew all the strips together to make three rainbow sections for the bargello.  After that it was not quite that simple - not because of the pattern, but because of me not paying good attention to the directions!
I did my fair share of ripping out during the making of my jacket - notice that end strip?  I inadvertently separated my strip at the wrong point, then sewed it on upside down.  I also did the second sleeve with strips that were all cut 1/4 inch too wide.  After three days of debating myself about whether or not it would be noticeable I ended up ripping that sleeve out and doing it over - and am glad I did.

I do wish I had gone up one more size on the sweatshirt that I used for the base of the jacket.  I didn't want it to be too baggy, but I think it could be a bit larger.  I guess that gives me the opportunity to make another one, right?  And I can't wait to work on the bag I want to make from the leftovers of my project!

For this project I used assorted Island Batik fabrics, the 2 1/2 strip die and Go! cutter from Accuquilt, plus blue and pink 50 wt thread from Aurifil.  No batting required because this project uses a sweatshirt for the base.  Thanks for the wonderful products and the fun challenge!  Go visit the Island Batik Store Locater and see if you can find a local store to make a rainbow out of their Island Batik fabrics!
Linking up with:
Myra Finished or not Friday
Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts
The Inquiring Quilter (Wednesday Wait Loss)

9 comments:

Quilting Tangent said...

Pretty, cheerful jacket!

Kathleen said...

Thats a great looking jacket and so great that you could use your die cutter! It always feel like a big bonus when I can get that extra help!

Denise said...

Interesting. I love the colors.

Barb said...

You made it look so easy, looks GREAT!!

Emily said...

It looks great!!! Great idea for a new technique!

teachpany said...

That's so pretty! I love the colors you picked. Have fun wearing it, and making another. I'll let you know my size and where to ship it, lol

Donna Croff said...

Love that quilt!

Rosa said...

Wow, it`s just stunning!!

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

So pretty! The idea of a matching handbag puts this over the top! Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.