I fell in love with the Check It Out yardage I received in my July Island Batik Ambassador Box - so fun, and absolutely perfect for the December Challenge! Checkerboard fabric makes me think of Mary Engelbreit's designs which I think are perfectly whimsical (playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way
). And even though most of my quilt designs are more traditional, I love to incorporate a touch of whimsy in my choice of prints, or color combinations. As far as wonky (crooked, off center or askew) goes, I have to admit that I don't usually work in that arena, but I'm always willing to try something new!
Did you know that it's super simple in EQ8 to tilt a quilt block? All you have to do is go to the Block menu, choose Serendipity and choose the tilt option. From there you can tilt the block by any amount you choose. Save your block to the sketchbook and you are ready to go! Luckily the tilt I chose turned a 12 inch block into a 15 inch block. Right now I'm not sure how you could work it so your block comes out sized as well as mine did, but if I find out, I'll be sure to share that information. The nice thing is that if you choose to print out the rotary cutting instructions, you can find out how to cut your wedges for tilting your completed squares as well. I was a little doubtful, but it worked like a charm!
I started out by making 16 of these blocks. My original plan was to make a lap quilt, but I decided yesterday that finishing a 60 inch quilt in two days was a bit more than I could manage at this point. I chose instead to make a table runner from four of my blocks, and I will use the rest of the blocks to create a smaller lap quilt later this winter when I have more time. And I know I will definitely do that because I love the way these blocks look set together with their wonky checkerboard triangles!
I finished four blocks and sewed them together, then basted them this morning - so pretty!
I quilted them with a swirl design and added a medium blue binding (also from Island Batik).
Definitely whimsical and wonky! As well as delightful :) It finished at 15 1/2 x 60 1/2 inches.
So pretty on my new floor!
It's going to look awesome on my table - once I finish my puzzle! I love that I got all these blue fabrics to play with - thanks to all the nice folks at Island Batik, they always seem to know just what I love to work with!
And speaking of Island Batik, all of the Island Batik Ambassadors from 2018 are busy getting ready for our final event of the Ambassador year. We will be spending the next month showing you all the stunning Spring and Summer fabrics that are shipping out right now to your local quilt shops! This Blog Hop theme is Getaway:
It starts next Monday, there will be lots of projects, prizes and all around fun! I'll post the schedule for you later this week - I hope you will make sure to join in on the fun!
Happy New Year!
