Posted on April 17, 2022March 27, 2022 by Reed — 6 Comments

Around the Block Sew Much Fun Tour – Bolts of Fabric block

Sew Much Fun Tour

We are participating in another blog hop. It is Quilting Around the Block Sew Much Fun Tour and we are week 38 – with a Bolts of Fabric complimentary block. If you missed the previous blocks, there is a link below to see all of them on the tour website.

This blog hop features 6-1/2″ quilt blocks by designers that feature everything quilting and sewing.

Please go back to our March 28th post to see my March Island Batik Ambassador project. We have two Spring quilt patterns for sale during the month of April. They are Golden Gate Park Table Runner and Spring Friends Table Runner.

This is an appliqué block showcasing three bolts of fabric in yellow, blue and rose. This block can definitely be made by an advanced beginner. If you think that you can’t do it, all I have to say is if an old retired attorney can do it, you can too!

Here is a photo of the Bolts of Fabric block that has been sewn with fabrics from my stash.

I did the blanket stitch machine appliqué around the raw edges of the fabric with my Janome 6600.

If you are new to our website and are interested in downloading a complimentary PDF pattern of our Bolts of Fabric block, all you have to do is look for the box on our blog, on the right hand side, that says “Like this content? Sign up for free updates” and sign up to receive our newsletter. When you have done that, you will receive a welcoming email from us that will contain a coupon code and a link back to the complimentary pattern. If you are on a cell phone, you may need to turn your phone horizontal to see the newsletter signup box. If you still can’t see it, here is a link: newsletter signup. You will act as though you are purchasing the pattern and in the cart, you will apply the coupon code, which will make the pattern free. You will need to fill out contact information, but no payment method will be necessary. Don’t worry, we do not send out newsletters very often and we never sell email addresses or contact information. Here is what the pattern looks like. It is in a format very similar to most Blue Bear Quilt patterns, so if you see what you like in this free pattern, you will like our other patterns as well.

Please note: This pattern will only be complimentary until the end of July 2022. after that it will be available on our website under digital downloadable patterns.

Current newsletter subscribers, don’t despair! You will be able to download the complimentary pattern as well. You have already been sent a newsletter on April 17th which gave you the coupon code.

Click here get the complimentary block

Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, Pinterest & You Tube @bluebearquilts
Please share with family & friends who would like to participate.

Have you been following along the Around the Block Sew Much Fun Tour? If you missed any blocks, click here to visit the Tour website to catch up!

Most recent posts:

April 3 –Block Pattern w/ Pillowcase Tutorial

April 10 –Embroidery Hoop

Coming up next will be:

April 24 –Applique

May 1 – Block

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We are so happy that you stopped by to visit us in the Around the Block- Sew Much Fun Tour hop and we hope that you like our block. Please stop by to see all of the other designer’s wonderful blocks.
Participating Designers

Posted on March 28, 2022March 28, 2022 by Reed — 4 Comments

Island Batik Ambassador- March Project- Italian Color Builder Challenge with Aurifil

I have completed my March project as an Island Batik Ambassador and I am so excited to share it with you. This month’s challenge was to to make a wall hanging using one of the Aurifil Color Builders.

The Aurifil Color Builders are twelve curated mini-collections inspired by (and named after) Italy’s most vibrant and colorful destinations. Each collection contains three large spools of 50wt thread — a warm, a medium, and a dark — within the location’s primary color palette. From the lemon groves of Sicily to the pink sand beaches of Sardinia to the clear teal waters of Capri to the stark city grey of Milan… each collection is crafted to evoke images of Italian landscapes. The colors were selected not only for their aesthetic appeal, but for their practicality in every day use. Click on the links at the bottom to see the other collections used by the Island Batik Ambassadors in their projects.

03 - Italian Color Builders — 03 – Italian Color Builders

I received Milan as my collection from Aurifil. Just look at this awesome collection of light, medium and dark grays. The colors included are 2600, 2610 and 5004. The blue batiks I used from Island Batik are part of their Brilliant Blues collection and I also used white, black and gray.

The wall hanging I made is a reflection on the beautiful Italian city of Milan and its size is 20″ x 20.” My inspiration for the wall hangin was the beautiful Milan Cathedral (In Italian: Duomo di Milano, which literally means Cathedral of Milan. The church is the largest church in Italy (excluding the Vatican), and 3rd largest in the world. It is the most visited tourist attraction in Milan.

Here are some interesting facts about the Milan Cathedral:

1. It took nearly six centuries to complete. The construction of the church began in 1386, and was officially completed in 1965 when the last bronze door was installed, although most parts of the building had been completed in 1813.

2. The church is based on a Latin cross form that covers 11700 square meters and can accommodate about 35000 people.

3. The building features a variety of architectural styles, such as Gothic, Neo Classic, Baroque, and Decorative Gothic, which is the main style.

4. Milan Cathedral has 135 spires on its roof, more than any other church in the world, and each spire is topped off by a sculpture of a biblical figure. The exterior of the church is decorated with 2245 statues sculpted on the facades of the church.

5. One of the nails reputedly from the Crucifixion of Christ has been placed in the cathedral. The Holy Nail is retrieved and exposed to the public every year, during a celebration known as the Rite of the Nivola.

I wanted to create the wall hanging in the graphic style of a vintage travel poster, such as this example of Florence.

I loaded the fabrics into my Electric Quilt Software and created this design.

I created the background sky and ground by stitching four of the Island Batik Brilliant Blues together and then appliquéd the white cathedral, with gray windows and black spires. Here is what it looked like with the appliqué pieces fused on and some of the decorative stitching in the windows and spires.

Then I decided to apply decorative stitches with my Bernina 770 to give the appliqué pieces some definition and texture. The light, medium and dark gray threads, from the Milan collection, worked perfectly with the white, gray and black from Island Batik. Here are some close ups of the decorative stitching.

Since the quilt is so graphic and boxy, I wanted to do some straight line quilting. I used a ruler foot for my Janome 6600 and a quilting ruler that I love from Four Paws Quilting called the Line Tamer. It has a slot down the middle that allows the ruler foot to ride in that groove and create a straight line with your quilting.

Here is the finished project.

I used the medium gray 50 wt. Aurifil thread on the front and on the back. Schmetz Needles sent the Ambassadors some of their needles and I used a 70/10 quilting needle. I used Hobbs Premium 80/20 Cotton/Poly Blend Batting. This batting is wonderful to quilt by hand or machine. It is made with a blend of 80% natural cotton and 20% fine polyester, is needle punched, and has a light resin bonding to provide exceptional strength and durability. Close quilting yields a flat, low-loft appearance, while more space between stitching lines yields a slightly higher loft.

The supplies I used to make this project were provided by:

Island Batik Brilliant Blues, white, gray and black.

Aurifil 50 wt Thread (Milan Color Builders box)

Hobbs Heirloom^® Premium 80/20 Cotton/Poly Blend Batting

Schmetz 70/10 Quilting needle

Thank you Island Batik, Aurifil Thread, Hobbs Batting,and Schmetz Needles.

We have two Spring quilt patterns for sale starting today and through the month of April. They are Golden Gate Park Table Runner and Spring Friends Table Runner.

Blue Bear says hi from Milan!

Please let him know how much you love this wall hanging by writing to him in the comments. The comment box is at the top left of the blog post, below Reed’s picture.

The other amazing Island Batik Ambassadors are also posting their March Color Builder Challenge projects. Check out their projects by clicking on the links next to their names to be directed to their blog posts.

Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations
Denise Looney, For the Love of Geese

Pamela Boatright, Pamela Quilts
Andi Stanfield, True Blue Quilts

Megan Best, Bestquilter

Maryellen McAuliffe, Mary Mack Made Mine
Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs

Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood
Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights

Suzy Webster, Websterquilt
Connie Kauffman, Kauffman Designs

Brianna Roberts, Sew Cute and Quirky
Sandra Starley, Textile Time Travels

Michelle Roberts, Creative Blonde
Jane Hauprich, Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting

Claudia Porter, Create with Claudia

Anorina Morris, Samelia’s Mum
Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts

Elizabeth DeCroos, Epida Studio
Gail Renna, Quilt Haven Threads

Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail
Jennifer Fulton, Inquiring Quilter

Mania Hatzioannidi, Mania for Quilts
Lisa Pickering, Lisa’s Quilting Passion

#islandbatikambassador #islandbatik #iloveislandbatik #hobbsbatting #aurifil #aurifilthread #schmetzneedles #doyoueq #bernina #janome

Posted on March 8, 2022March 6, 2022 by Reed — 2 Comments

Quilt Block Mania-Budgie on a Branch Block- Complimentary Block Pattern for March 2022

Spring is getting ready to appear any day and Quilt Block Mania is getting ready with a theme of birds for March 2022. There are a lot of fine feathered friends with this month’s blocks. Our complimentary block of the month for Quilt Block Mania, during the month of March 2022, Budgie on a Branch, will warm your heart and is the perfect design to place on a pillow, table runner or wallhanging. If you like receiving the complimentary blocks from Quilt Block Mania, please share this with your quilting friends on social media (please ask them to sign up for their own copy) so the designers can continue to do this every month. The designers thank you for your support, through your purchases, which allow us to offer these complimentary block patterns each month.

In March 2022, we are offering 20% off two digital download quilt patterns. They are Feeling Groovy Quilt and Scarborough Fair Quilt. The link to these patterns is here: downloadable-patterns/

Both of these patterns use the fabric line that we are giving away this month. The announcement of the giveaway is explained below.

Quilt Block Mania has 16 talented quilt designers creating blocks for this month’s theme- birds. Here are the theme colors for this month.

This is the Budgie on a Branch block.

This block features an appliquéd teal and lime bird sitting on a dark gray branch on a white background.

Here is a photo of the Budgie on a Branch block made with fabrics from my stash.

The Budgie on a Branch block makes a festive 31″ x 18″ table runner with 2 Budgie on a Branch blocks, 1″ dark gray sashing and inner border and a 2″ finished teal outer border. You also can turn the block into a 16″ pillow cover to brighten up your home. We have a pattern called Wonky Hearts Pillow, in our shop, if you would like a pattern for making the pillow cover. I also show the block as a quilt and wallhanging. Yardage for all the examples is in the pattern.

How to get the block

If you are new to our website and are interested in downloading a complimentary PDF pattern of our Budgie on a Branch block for March, all you have to do is look for the box on our blog, on the right hand side, that says “Like this content? Sign up for free updates” and sign up to receive our newsletter. When you have done that, you will receive a welcoming email from us that will contain a coupon code and a link back to the complimentary pattern. You will act as though you are purchasing the pattern and in the cart, you will apply the coupon code, which will make the pattern free. You will need to fill out contact information, but no payment method will be necessary. Don’t worry, we do not send out newsletters very often and we never sell email addresses or contact information. Here is what the pattern looks like. It is in a format very similar to most Blue Bear Quilt patterns, so if you see what you like in this complimentary pattern, you will like our other patterns as well.

Please note: This pattern will only be complimentary during the month of March 2022.

Current newsletter subscribers, don’t despair! You will be able to download the complimentary pattern as well. You have already been sent a newsletter on March 8th which gave you the coupon code.

Be sure to follow us on our Instagram page, @bluebearquilts, as that is where we occasionally have giveaways. We are currently having a giveaway, during the month of March to celebrate National Quilting Month and the fact that we have reached over 1200 newsletter subscribers. We are so grateful for all of your support. Here is a picture of the fat quarter bundle of QT Fabric’s Brilliance line that is being given away along with a copy of the Feeling Groovy pattern. If you like this fabric, both of the patterns that we have on sale this month use this fabric line.

Be sure to look at my last post, which has the details for my February quilt project as an Island Batik Ambassador. The quilt is called Timberland Tumble and it is a row by row quilt as each row has a different block. There will be a pattern coming out in late March after the pattern testers are done testing it. The pattern for my January project called South Seas Shuffle is now available on my website.

Throughout the year, there will be tutorials, blog hops, giveaway, etc. I love batiks and I am so excited to share the projects that I make throughout the coming year with you. If you like my February Project, I can’t wait to share my March project with you. It will be a project emphasizing Aurifil thread and the city of Milan Italy.

Please follow me on social media so you don’t miss a thing.

Also, please check out our Tik Tok and YouTube Channels (Blue Bear Quilts) for more quilting fun and inspiration.

We are so happy that you stopped by to visit us in the Quilt Block Mania hop and we hope that you like our block. Please stop by to see all of the other designer’s wonderful blocks.

Bird Quilt Blocks - Quilt Block Mania — Bird Quilt Blocks – Quilt Block Mania

You can click on the links to the other blocks here.

Birds on a Wire by Carolina Moore
Signs of Spring by Inquiring Quilter
Cute Bird by Powered By Quilting
Flamboyance by Becca Fenstermaker
Migration by Patti’s Patchwork
Peacock Quilt Block by Appliques Quilts and More
Blue Bird by by Mom and Me Quilting Co.
Chubby Chicken Block by Kaye Collins
Hummingbird Quilt Block by Julia of Inflorescence
Flying in Formation by QuiltFabrication
Birds Circling by Nancy Myers
Lorikeets by Sue Griffiths
Fly Away Home by Scrapdash
Puffin Head by Penny Spool Quilts
Birds in the Air by Perkins Dry Goods
There is always one
Budgie on a Branch by Blue Bear Quilts

Posted on February 9, 2022February 10, 2022 by Reed — 6 Comments

Island Batik Ambassador- February Project- Row by Row Quilt

I have completed my February project as an Island Batik Ambassador and I am so excited to share it with you. This month is a blog hop and if you check out the Island Batik blog, you can enter each week to win a fat quarter bundle of some of the fabrics that the Ambassadors are using in their projects. I will show the other fabric collections later in this blog post and there will be a link to the giveaway from Island Batik.

The February project was to make a row by row quilt using an upcoming fabric line from Island Batik. I was so excited when the fabric I was given to use was Evergreen and Pine by Kathy Engle. Just look at this gorgeous collection of green and tan batik fabrics. The Evergreen & Pine Batiks may be found at your local quilt shop that carries Island Batik, such as Fabric Smart in St. Petersburg FL. You may find them online at www.fabric-smart.com or call them at 727-914-8850.

The quilt I made is called Timberland Tumble. It is a large lap quilt size 56″ x 77.” This is a striking quilt with a different block in each row. I think it is sometimes difficult to come up with fabrics and quilt patterns that would be appropriate to make for a man, but I feel this quilt accomplishes that and would be an awesome quilt to make for the men in your life. This quilt is easy to make as it is composed mainly of half square triangles, a few squares and maybe a quarter square triangle or two.

I will have a pattern coming out in March 2022 for this quilt after the testers are done testing the pattern. The batik bundle I was provided was the Evergreen and Pine collection by Kathy Engle. Look at this glorious selection of green and tan batiks. These fabrics were so beautiful that it was really hard to cut them up.

Row by Row quilts are made with rows of quilt blocks, with each row distinct from the others. I decided to showcase the wide world of blocks that can easily be made from half square triangles. Although all of these blocks can be made from half square triangles, and a few squares and quarter square triangles, I did construct a few of the blocks using larger quarter square triangles and trapezoids as I wanted to showcase the fabric and have less seams to sew after cutting the pieces with my Accuquilt Go! Big Cutter. Here is a picture of using the Accuquilt cutter to cut out some of the shapes.

You can see that it makes beautiful cuts which are so easy to piece together. Also, I love the fact that there are no dog ears to trim and if you do a really accurate job of sewing your 1/4″ seam, there is nothing that needs to be trimmed. This really saves a lot of time and effort.

I downloaded the images of the fabric collection into my Electric Quilt software, which is the software I use to design quilts. This is what the quilt looked like in the software. I have included a couple of close ups of the blocks with the gorgeous Evergreen and Pine fabric in them.

I also like to often piece the backs of my quilts, which I did for this one. I used some of the fat quarters that I did not use in the quilt to add some interest to the back of the quilt. Here is picture of the back. If you are on TikTok, be sure to check out the video I have posted with me and the quilt. (Look for Blue Bear Quilts)

To quilt the quilt on my Bernina 770 QE, I did stitch in the ditch with the edgestitch #10D foot, which was easy to do as there was a square grid of the half square triangle shapes. I used black 50 wt. Aurifil thread on the front and a tan on the back. Schmetz Needles sent the Ambassadors some of their needles and I used a 70/10 quilting needle. I used Hobbs Premium Polyester Poly-down batting. I had never used this batting before and it was very easy to quilt on my Bernina. Hobbs Poly-Down Batting is made with very fine, white, denier polyester which enables the batting to provide a soft feel and lovely drape. It is prized by machine quilters for its wonderful loft which accentuates quilting details. It is also very light weight.

The supplies I used to make this project were provided by:

Island Batik Evergreen and Pine for the top and Pearl for the backing.

Aurifil 50 wt Thread (black and Tan)

Hobbs Premium Polyester Poly-down batting

Schmetz 70/10 Quilting needle

Accuquilt Go! Big Cutter and 6″ Qube

Thank you Island Batik, Aurifil Thread, Hobbs Batting, Schmetz Needles and Accuquilt.

accuquilt

Blue Bear is sending you some love for Valentine’s Day. Please let him know how much you love the quilt by writing to him in the comments!

Be sure to check out the Island Batik Blog at https://islandbatik.com/row-by-row-blog-hop-week-one/ where you can enter to win a fat quarter bundle. Check it out! a Rafflecopter giveaway Citified and Contempo are the two fabric lines that are being given away this week. Good luck!

The other amazing Island Batik Ambassadors are also posting their February Blog Hop quilts. For this week in the blog hop, on Tuesday, Suzy Webster and Connie Kauffman posted on the Contempo fabric line and on Thursday, Brianna Roberts and Sandra Starley will be posting on the Graphic line from Island Batik. Check out their projects by clicking on the links next to their names to be directed to their blog posts.

Be sure to check out the other amazing Row by Row quilts (I have seen some amazing quilts so far) and all the fabulous new Island Batik Collections!

January 31:

Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations
Denise Looney, For the Love of Geese

February 1:

Pamela Boatright, Pamela Quilts
Andi Stanfield, True Blue Quilts

February 2:

Megan Best, Bestquilter

February 3:

Maryellen McAuliffe, Mary Mack Made Mine
Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs

February 7:

Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood
Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights

February 8:

Suzy Webster, Websterquilt
Connie Kauffman, Kauffman Designs

February 9:

Reed Johnson, Blue Bear Quilts

February 10:

Brianna Roberts, Sew Cute and Quirky
Sandra Starley, Textile Time Travels

February 14:

Michelle Roberts, Creative Blonde
Jane Hauprich, Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting

February 15:

Claudia Porter, Create with Claudia

February 16:

Anorina Morris, Samelia’s Mum
Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts

February 17:

Elizabeth DeCroos, Epida Studio
Gail Renna, Quilt Haven Threads

February 18:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 3 and Giveaway

February 21:

Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail
Jennifer Fulton, Inquiring Quilter

February 22:

Mania Hatzioannidi, Mania for Quilts
Lisa Pickering, Lisa’s Quilting Passion

#islandbatikambassador #islandbatik #iloveislandbatik #hobbsbatting #accuquilt #accuquiltgo #aurifil #aurifilthread #schmetzneedles #doyoueq #bernina

Posted on February 1, 2022February 10, 2022 by Reed — Leave a comment

Quilt Block Mania-Hearts Aflutter Block- Complimentary Block Pattern for February 2022

February is a month for love with Valentine’s Day and Quilt Block Mania is thinking ahead with a theme of wedding for this month. If you have any weddings coming up, you are sure to find a great project to make with this month’s blocks. Our complimentary block of the month for Quilt Block Mania, during the month of February, Hearts Aflutter, is the perfect design to place in a pillow, table runner or quilt. With the chosen color scheme this month, it has a Scandinavian feel to it for me. If you like receiving the complimentary blocks from Quilt Block Mania, please share this with your quilting friends on social media (please ask them to sign up for their own copy) so the designers can continue to do this every month. The designers thank you for your support, through your purchases, which allow us to offer these complimentary block patterns each month.

In February, we are offering 20% off two digital download quilt patterns. They are Sunbonnet Sue Calendar Quilt and Zany Zasu Quilt. The link to these patterns is here: downloadable-patterns/

Quilt Block Mania has 16 talented quilt designers creating blocks for this month’s theme- wedding. Here are the theme colors for this month.

This is the Hearts Aflutter block.

This block features an appliqué wreath of orange, yellow and medium teal hearts on a light teal background with dark teal leaves and a yellow circle in the center.

Here is a photo of the Hearts Aflutter block made with fabrics from my stash.

The Hearts Aflutter block makes a festive 44″ x 18″ table runner with 3 heart blocks, 1″ dark teal sashing and a 2″ finished yellow outer border. You also can turn the block into a 16″ pillow cover to brighten up your home. We have a pattern called Wonky Hearts Pillow, in our shop, if you would like a pattern for making the pillow cover. I also show the block as a quilt and wallhanging. Yardage for all the examples is in the pattern.

How to get the block

If you are new to our website and are interested in downloading a complimentary PDF pattern of our Hearts Aflutter block for February, all you have to do is look for the box on our blog, on the right hand side, that says “Like this content? Sign up for free updates” and sign up to receive our newsletter. When you have done that, you will receive a welcoming email from us that will contain a coupon code and a link back to the complimentary pattern. You will act as though you are purchasing the pattern and in the cart, you will apply the coupon code, which will make the pattern free. You will need to fill out contact information, but no payment method will be necessary. Don’t worry, we do not send out newsletters very often and we never sell email addresses or contact information. Here is what the pattern looks like. It is in a format very similar to most Blue Bear Quilt patterns, so if you see what you like in this complimentary pattern, you will like our other patterns as well.

Please note: This pattern will only be complimentary during the month of February 2022.

Current newsletter subscribers, don’t despair! You will be able to download the complimentary pattern as well. You have already been sent a newsletter on February 1st which gave you the coupon code.

Be sure to follow us on our Instagram page, @bluebearquilts, as that is where we occasionally have giveaways. We will be having one soon to celebrate over 1000 email subscribers.

Be sure to look at my last post, which has the details for my January quilt project as an Island Batik Ambassador.

Throughout the year, there will be tutorials, blog hops, giveaway, etc. I love batiks and I am so excited to share the projects that I make throughout the coming year with you. If you like my January Project, I can’t wait to share my February project with you on February 9th. It will be a row by row quilt, which is something that I have not done before.

Please follow me on social media so you don’t miss a thing.

Also, please check out our Tik Tok and YouTube Channels (Blue Bear Quilts) for more quilting fun and inspiration.

We are so happy that you stopped by to visit us in the Quilt Block Mania hop and we hope that you like our block. Please stop by to see all of the other designer’s wonderful blocks.

You can click on the links to the other blocks here.

Wedding Dress Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
With This Ring by Inquiring Quilter
Wedding cake by Powered By Quilting
Loopy Hearts by Becca Fenstermaker
Tying the Knot by Patti’s Patchwork
Car with Wedding Couple by Appliques Quilts and More
True Lover’s Knot by Mom and Me Quilting Co.
Vintage Hankie Dress Quilt Block by Kaye Collins
Wedding Invitation Quilt Block by Julia of Inflorescence
Wedding Chapel by QuiltFabrication
Lucky horseshoe charm by Sue Griffiths
Apple Blossom Quilt Block by Scrapdash
Solitaire by Penny Spool Quilts
Something New by Perkins Dry Goods
Courthouse steps by Sew Joy Creations
Hearts Aflutter by Blue Bear Quilts

Posted on January 27, 2022February 10, 2022 by Reed — Leave a comment

Island Batik Ambassador- January Project- Step by Step Quilt

I am so excited to be an Island Batik Ambassador for 2022.

Each month, I will be sharing a different project using upcoming fabric lines from Island Batik.

If you would like to see my unboxing video, where I show all of the fabric and batting Island Batik and Hobbs sent to me, here is a link to my YouTube video: https://youtu.be/Q-MN2HbI6dg. Be sure to subscribe and click the bell so the you will be notified when I post more videos.

For the month of January, the challenge was to create a step by step quilt using the Island Batik basic line of Gradations.

01 - Step by Step Challenge — 01 – Step by Step Challenge

The quilt I made is called South Seas Shuffle. It is a large lap quilt size 56″ x 62.”

This is a modern quilt using the traditional flying geese block. It’s modern in that the geese are going in many directions, there are large white negative spaces and there are partial seam blocks in the construction of the quilt. I will have a pattern coming out in February 2022 for this quilt after the testers are done testing the pattern. I also will have a YouTube video for how to sew the partial seam block unit in this quilt. The batik bundle I was provided was Brilliant Blues. Look at this glorious selection of blue batiks. Island Batik developed ten different colorways of gradations with 20 steps in each. There are so many quilt projects that make use of gradations in color and value. Yardage for the Gradation Batiks may be found at your local quilt shop that carries Island Batik, such as Fabric Smart in St. Petersburg FL. You may find them online at www.fabric-smart.com or call them at 727-914-8850.

The idea behind the step by step challenge was to incorporate the gradation of light, medium and dark colors into a quilt. Sometimes it is difficult to determine if a color should be placed into the light, medium, or dark category. In order to do that, it helps to place them next to each other. If it is still too difficult to determine, a little trick is to take a picture of them and then use the filters in your phone’s camera app to turn the picture into a B&W monochromatic picture. Then it is easier to see the differences in values. Squinting at the photos and fabrics helps as well. In the photos below, it looks like the 1st and 3rd batiks might be about the same value, but in the B&W photo, you can see the the 3rd batik is clearly lighter that the 1st. So in the color photo, the 1st batik is the dark, the 2nd and 3rd are the mediums and the 4th batik is the light value. The value of a fabric can change when you place different lights and darks next to it.

I downloaded the images of the fabric collection into my Electric Quilt software, which is the software I use to design quilts. This is what the quilt looked like in the software.

I used the measurements of the Accuquilt Flying Geese die to create the size of the blocks. Then the EQ8 software told me how much yardage I needed of each fabric and gave me the rotary cutting diagrams for the non-Accuquilt pieces.

Each one of the flying geese blocks has a blue batik with a light, medium and dark value. This creates the gradation in colors. I cut the blue batik quarter square triangles, which are in the flying geese blocks, using the Accuquilt cutter and die. Since the Accuquilt cutter and die cuts off the dog ears, it is easy to line up the pieces for sewing and there is no trimming that needs to be done after the pieces are sewn together.

When the quilt top was all sewn together, I took it outside to let the sun shine through the quilt as I knew these brilliant blue batiks would sing in the sunshine and wow did they.

Looking at this photo on my iPhone, I discovered something new called Lookup -Artwork. When I clicked on that, it showed me different artist’s works that were similar in feel to my quilt. I was amazed by what they came up with, so I though I would share those other artist’s works with you.

To quilt the quilt on my Bernina 770 QE, I did stitch in the ditch with the edgestitch #10D foot.

I did some quilting in the negative white spaces to mimic the flying geese that were in the other blocks. I used the Creative Grids “Chevy” ruler, designed by Angela Walters, to do this quilting.

I also wanted to do some echo quilting, which means quilting next to the seam lines, within the blue flying geese. So, I switched to a blue Aurifil thread and then used the Line Tamer ruler by Fourpawsquilting.com to get straight lines with my echo quilting.

I used a new Schmetz 70/10 quilting needle. Using new needle on a new quilting project just makes your life so much easier.

I used Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 Bleached batting as the quilt top had a lot of white in it and I did not want the batting to show through the fabrics. This batting was very easy to quilt on my Bernina. It is fairly thin and gives your quilt a beautiful drape and also lays fairly flat. It is also light weight and breathable so it makes a good batting for a summer quilt or if used in a warmer climate. It’s loft is 1/8″; it’s shrinkage is 3-5% and the maximum stitch distance when quilting is 4.”

What I liked about using Island Batik fabrics:

The colors are so vibrant.
There is a wonderful texture in the fabrics.
They have very little fraying after they have been cut.
They produce very little lint in your sewing machine.
They are tightly woven, yet very light. I had been working with the batiks for awhile and then switched to regular quilting cotton. I thought the quilting cotton was so heavy that I had a double layer, but I did not. The light weight of the batiks would make for an overall lighter quilt, depending on your batting and how much quilting you put onto the top.

The supplies I used to make this project were provided by:

Island Batik Foundations Fabrics: Brilliant Blues, White, and Black for the top and Pearl for the backing.

Aurifil 50 wt Thread (white. black and blue)

Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 Bleached Batting

Schmetz 70/10 Quilting needle

Accuquilt Go! Big Cutter and die #55456 Flying Geese

Thank you Island Batik, Aurifil Thread, Hobbs Batting, Schmetz Needles and Accuquilt.

accuquilt

Blue Bear likes this quilt because of its fabulous blue colors. He hopes you like it too!

The other amazing Island Batik Ambassadors are also posting their first quilts of the year. They are all making wonderful gradation quilts in a rainbow of colors. Check out their projects by clicking on the links next to their names to be directed to their blog posts.

Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs

Megan Best ~ Bestquilter

Pamela Boatright ~ Pamelaquilts

Elizabeth DeCroos ~ Epida Studio

Jennifer Fulton ~ Inquiring Quilter

Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts

Mania Hatziioannidi ~ M ania for quilts

Jane Hauprich ~ Stitch By Stitch Custom Quilting

Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs

Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood

Denise Looney ~ For The Love Of Geese

Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights

Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine

Anorina Morris – sameliasmum.com

Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion

Claudia Porter ~ Create with Claudia

Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads

Brianna Roberts ~ Sew Cute And Quirky

Michelle Roberts ~ Creative Blonde

Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail

Andi Stanfield ~ True Blue Quilts

Sandra Starley ~ Textile Time Travels

Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations

Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt

#islandbatikambassador #islandbatik #iloveislandbatik

#hobbsbatting #accuquilt #accuquiltgo #aurifil #aurifilthread #schmetzneedles #doyoueq #bernina

Posted on January 4, 2022February 10, 2022 by Reed — Leave a comment

Quilt Block Mania-Birdie Block- Complimentary Block Pattern for January 2022 and I’m an Island Batik Ambassador

Happy New Year! Quilt Block Mania is celebrating all things pets for January 2022. What a wonderful way to celebrate your pets. Hopefully you will find your favorite pet among this month’s blocks. Our complimentary block of the month for Quilt Block Mania, during the month of January, Birdie, is likely to please bird lovers and even non bird lovers as it is so cute. If you like receiving the complimentary blocks from Quilt Block Mania, please share this with your quilting friends on social media (please ask them to sign up for their own copy) so the designers can continue to do this every month. The designers thank you for your support, through your purchases, which allows us to offer these complimentary block patterns each month.

In January, we are offering 20% off two digital download patterns that are table runners. They are Color Play Table Runner and Periwinkle Prisms Table Runner. The link to these patterns is here: downloadable-patterns/

Quilt Block Mania has 12 talented quilt designers creating blocks for this month’s theme- Pets. Here are the theme colors for this month.

This is the Birdie block.

This block features a red star on a yellow background with orange and green corners and an orange bird appliquéd in the center.

Here is a photo of the Birdie block that has been sewn with fabrics from my stash.

The Birdie block makes a festive 42″ x 16″ table runner with 3 Birdie blocks 1″ dark brown sashing and a 2″ finished dark brown outer border. I have also shown the table runner with different colorings. You also can turn the block into a 16″ pillow cover to brighten up your home. We have a pattern called Wonky Hearts Pillow, in our shop, if you would like a pattern for making the pillow cover.

How to get the block

If you are new to our website and are interested in downloading a complimentary PDF pattern of our Birdie block for January, all you have to do is look for the box on our blog, on the right hand side, that says “Like this content? Sign up for free updates” and sign up to receive our newsletter. When you have done that, you will receive a welcoming email from us that will contain a coupon code and a link back to the complimentary pattern. You will act as though you are purchasing the pattern and in the cart, you will apply the coupon code, which will make the pattern free. You will need to fill out contact information, but no payment method will be necessary. Don’t worry, we do not send out newsletters very often and we never sell email addresses or contact information. Here is what the pattern looks like. It is in a format very similar to most Blue Bear Quilt patterns, so if you see what you like in this complimentary pattern, you will like our other patterns as well.

Please note: This pattern will only be complimentary during the month of January 2022.

Current newsletter subscribers, don’t despair! You will be able to download the complimentary pattern as well. You have already been sent a newsletter on January 4th which gave you the coupon code.

Be sure to follow us on our Instagram page, @bluebearquilts, as that is where we occasionally have giveaways. We will be having one soon to celebrate over 1000 email subscribers.

My big announcement is that I am an Island Batik Ambassador for 2022.
Throughout the year, there will be tutorials, blog hops, giveaway, etc. I love batiks and I am so excited to share the projects that I make throughout the coming year with you. The first project that I am working on for January uses these Brilliant Blues. Are they beautiful?

Please follow me on social media so you don’t miss a thing.

Also, please check out our Tik Tok and YouTube Channels (Blue Bear Quilts) for more quilting fun and inspiration.

We are so happy that you stopped by to visit us in the Quilt Block Mania hop and we hope that you like our block. Please stop by to see all of the other designer’s wonderful blocks.

You can click on the links to the other blocks here.

Chicken Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
First Snow by Inquiring Quilter
Clown Fish by Powered By Quilting
Bunny Buddies at Patti’s Patchwork
Cute Turtle by Appliques Quilts and More
Doghouse Quilt Block by Kaye Collins
Scottie Dog
Dog Bone by QuiltFabrication
Bird Feeder by Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
Birdie Block by Blue Bear Quilts
Fishies at Perkins Dry Goods
Parlor Panther Queen at Orange Blossom Quilt Design Studio
Perky Pig by Masterpiece Quilting

Posted on December 7, 2021February 10, 2022 by Reed — Leave a comment

Quilt Block Mania-Toy Truck- Complimentary Block Pattern for December 2021

Happy Holidays! Quilt Block Mania is celebrating all things toys for December. You are sure to find something you will love in this moth’s choice of blocks. Our complimentary block of the month for Quilt Block Mania, during the month of December, Toy Truck. is most likely to delight someone in your life. If you like receiving the complimentary blocks from Quilt Block Mania, please share this with your quilting friends on social media (please ask them to sign up for their own copy) so the designers can continue to do this every month. The designers thank you for your support, through your purchases, which allows us to offer these complimentary block patterns each month.

In December, we are offering 20% off two digital download patterns that are panel quilts and will allow you to make some quick gifts. They are Cowboy Claus Quilt and Moonlit Garden Quilt. The link to these patterns is here: downloadable-patterns/

Quilt Block Mania has 20 talented quilt designers creating blocks for this month’s theme- Toys. Here are the theme colors for this month.

This is theToy Truck block. In the pattern, I have provided the templates so that you can fill the truck with a tree, packages or flowers.

This block features a white background with a red truck filled with a Christmas tree, packages or flowers.

Here is a photo of the Toy Truck block that has been sewn with fabrics from my stash.

The Toy Truck block makes a festive 46″ x 20″ table runner with 3 Toy Truck blocks and a 1″ finished gray inner border and a 3″ finished white outer border and red binding. You also can turn the block into a 16″ pillow cover to brighten up your home. We have a pattern called Wonky Hearts Pillow, in our shop, if you would like a pattern for making the pillow cover.

How to get the block

If you are new to our website and are interested in downloading a complimentary PDF pattern of our Toy Truck block for December, all you have to do is look for the box on our blog, on the right hand side, that says “Like this content? Sign up for free updates” and sign up to receive our newsletter. When you have done that, you will receive a welcoming email from us that will contain a coupon code and a link back to the complimentary pattern. You will act as though you are purchasing the pattern and in the cart, you will apply the coupon code, which will make the pattern free. You will need to fill out contact information, but no payment method will be necessary. Don’t worry, we do not send out newsletters very often and we never sell email addresses or contact information. Here is what the pattern looks like. It is in a format very similar to most Blue Bear Quilt patterns, so if you see what you like in this complimentary pattern, you will like our other patterns as well.

Please note: This pattern will only be complimentary during the month of December 2021.

Current newsletter subscribers, don’t despair! You will be able to download the complimentary pattern as well. You have already been sent a newsletter on December 7th which gave you the coupon code.

Be sure to follow us on our Instagram page, @bluebearquilts, as that is where we occasionally have giveaways. We will be having one soon to celebrate over 1000 email subscribers. In the January 2022 issue of American Quilter, our Coco Chic table runner is in the magazine and I am so honored to have it be featured on the cover. We also have a big announcement coming up in January regarding a new relationship with a fabric company. Please follow us on social media so you don’t miss a thing.

Also, please check out our Tik Tok and YouTube Channels (Blue Bear Quilts) for more quilting fun and inspiration.

We are so happy that you stopped by to visit us in the Quilt Block Mania hop and we hope that you like our block. Please stop by to see all of the other designer’s wonderful blocks.

You can click on the links to the other blocks here.

Puzzle Cube Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
Swirlybirds by Scrapdash
Rocking Horse by Appliques Quilts and More
Old-fashioned toy by Blockofthemo.com
Wooden Toy Blocks by Penny Spool Quilts
Xylophone by QuiltFabrication
Stacked Rings at Patti’s Patchwork
Toy Truck at Blue Bear Quilts
Bullseye at Pretty Piney Quilts
Toy Plane by Mom and Me Quilting Co
Nutcracker by Inquiring Quilter
Water Colors at Perkins Dry Goods
How to Theread a Book by Craft Towards Joy
Sling Shot by Faith and Fabric
Candyland at EvaPaige Quilt Designs
Shape Sorter Block at Patchwork Breeze
Colorku at Love to Color My World
Toy Wagon by Cristy Fincher
Baboushka dolls by Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
Baseball by Masterpiece Quilting

Posted on November 2, 2021February 10, 2022 by Reed — Leave a comment

Quilt Block Mania-Santa Fe Peppers- Complimentary Block Pattern for November 2021

Quilt Block Mania is naturally all about food for November. I hope you don’t get too hungry looking at this month’s delicious blocks. Our complimentary block of the month for Quilt Block Mania, during the month of November, Santa Fe Peppers, reveals the wide array of colors that peppers are available in. This block is sure to spice up any quilting project. If you like receiving the complimentary blocks from Quilt Block Mania, please share this with your quilting friends on social media (please ask them to sign up for their own copy) so the designers can continue to do this every month.

In November, we are offering 20% off two digital download patterns that are unique table runners to help you get your tables ready for holiday entertaining. They are Color Play Table Runner and Periwinkle Prisms Table Runner. Either of these table runner patterns are sure to brighten up your tables for the holidays. The link to these patterns is here: downloadable-patterns/

Quilt Block Mania has 16 talented quilt designers creating blocks for this month’s theme- food. Here are the theme colors for this month.

This is the Santa Fe Peppers block. Did you know that New Mexico is the Chile Capitol of the world? You can use this block on its own or combine it with other blocks from this month for a delicious food themed quilt.

This block features a dark green background with peppers in shades of yellow, orange and red.

Here is a photo of the Santa Fe Peppers block that has been sewn with fabrics from my stash.

The Santa Fe Peppers block makes a fun 56 x 20″ table runner with 4 Santa Fe Peppers blocks and a 1″ finished light green inner border and a 3″ dark green outer border. The block also makes a striking table runner if you substitute white for the background. You also can turn the block into a 16″ pillow cover to brighten up your home. We have a pattern called Wonky Hearts Pillow, in our shop, if you would like a pattern for making the pillow cover.

This block also makes a beautiful 47 x 47″ lap quilt when you combine 16 blocks, using a light green background and dark green stems, and add 1″ finished dark green sashing, 1″ finished light green cornerstones, 1″ finished dark green inner border and a 3″ finished light green outer border.

Finally, switching to a white background and mixing up the colors of the stems, the block could make another great 47″ square quilt like the one above. The pattern shows you other potential layouts for this block.

How to get the block

If you are new to our website and are interested in downloading a complimentary PDF pattern of our Santa Fe Peppers block for November, all you have to do is look for the box on our blog, on the right hand side, that says “Like this content? Sign up for free updates” and sign up to receive our newsletter. When you have done that, you will receive a welcoming email from us that will contain a coupon code and a link back to the complimentary pattern. You will act as though you are purchasing the pattern and in the cart, you will apply the coupon code, which will make the pattern free. You will need to fill out contact information, but no payment method will be necessary. Don’t worry, we do not send out newsletters very often and we never sell email addresses or contact information. Here is what the pattern looks like. It is in a format very similar to most Blue Bear Quilt patterns, so if you see what you like in this complimentary pattern, you will like our other patterns as well.

Please note: This pattern will only be complimentary during the month of November 2021.

Current newsletter subscribers, don’t despair! You will be able to download the complimentary pattern as well. You have already been sent a newsletter on November 2d which gave you the coupon code.

Be sure to follow us on our Instagram page, @bluebearquilts, as that is where we occasionally have giveaways.

Also, please check out our Tik Tok and YouTube Channels (Blue Bear Quilts) for more quilting fun and inspiration.

We are so happy that you stopped by to visit us in the Quilt Block Mania hop and we hope that you like our block. Please stop by to see all of the other designer’s wonderful blocks.

You can click on the links to the other blocks here.

Hot Dog Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
Corn off the Cob Quilt Block at Scrapdash
Pumpkin Pie by Appliques Quilts and More
Ice Cream Cones by QuiltFabrication
Citrus Wedges by Patti’s Patchwork
Peppers at Blue Bear Quilts
Pineapple at Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
Strawberry by Mom and Me Quilting Co.
Home for the Holidays by Inquiring Quilter
Red Delicious at Perkins Dry Goods
Pumpkin Quilt Block
Little Lemons by Love Sew Modern
Sew the Carrots Go Round Block at Patchwork Breeze
Cake Quilt Block at Masterpiece Quilting
Avocado at EvaPaige Quilt Designs

Posted on October 5, 2021February 10, 2022 by Reed — Leave a comment

Quilt Block Mania-Fall Prism- Complimentary Block Pattern for October 2021

Quilt Block Mania is blinded by science this October and you will be able to make a fun science themed quilt this month. Our complimentary block of the month for Quilt Block Mania, during the month of October, Fall Prism, shows you the science of light and color in a fall perspective. If you like receiving the complimentary blocks from Quilt Block Mania, please share this with your quilting friends on social media (please ask them to sign up for their own copy) so the designers can continue to do this every month.

In October, we are offering 20% off three digital download patterns with a spectrum of color to help you with your holiday gifts. They are Marble Merger, Celebrity Squares and Cowboy Claus. Isn’t it time to brighten up your world? The link to these patterns is here: downloadable-patterns/

Quilt Block Mania has 12 talented quilt designers creating blocks for this month’s theme- science. Here are the theme colors for this month.

This is the Fall Prism block. You can use this block on its own or combine it with other blocks from this month for a science themed quilt.

This block features shades of green and brown filtering through a light tan prism.

Here is a photo of the Fall Prism block that has been sewn with fabrics from my stash.

The Fall Prism block makes a fun 56 x 20″ table runner with 4 Fall Prism blocks and a 1″ finished dark green inner border and a 3″ medium green outer border.

This block also makes a beautiful 56 x 56″ lap quilt when you combine 16 blocks and add 1″ finished medium green and 3″ finished dark green borders. The pattern shows you other potential layouts for this block, and the Alternate block, which is made at the same time.

Finally, switching to a rainbow of colors, the block could make a great 56″ square quilt when you combine 16 Fall Prism blocks and add 1″ finished light gray and 3″ finished black borders.

How to get the block

If you are new to our website and are interested in downloading a complimentary PDF pattern of our Fall Prism block for October, all you have to do is look for the box on our blog, on the right hand side, that says “Like this content? Sign up for free updates” and sign up to receive our newsletter. When you have done that, you will receive a welcoming email from us that will contain a coupon code and a link back to the complimentary pattern. You will act as though you are purchasing the pattern and in the cart, you will apply the coupon code, which will make the pattern free. You will need to fill out contact information, but no payment method will be necessary. Don’t worry, we do not send out newsletters very often and we never sell email addresses or contact information. Here is what the pattern looks like. It is in a format very similar to most Blue Bear Quilt patterns, so if you see what you like in this complimentary pattern, you will like our other patterns as well.

Please note: This pattern will only be complimentary during the month of October 2021.

Current newsletter subscribers, don’t despair! You will be able to download the complimentary pattern as well. You have already been sent a newsletter on October 5th which gave you the coupon code.

Be sure to follow us on our Instagram page, @bluebearquilts, as that is where we occasionally have giveaways, like last month where we gave away a fat quarter bundle of QT Fabrics Origins line. The winner was @arbandwife.

Also, please check out our Tik Tok and YouTube Channels (Blue Bear Quilts) for more quilting fun and inspiration.

We are so happy that you stopped by to visit us in the Quilt Block Mania hop and we hope that you like our block. Please stop by to see all of the other designer’s wonderful blocks.