Monday, January 22, 2024

Limerick Blog Hop

Raija Salomaa of Quilter's Treasure Chest, is a fellow Studio 180 Design Certified Instructor.  Her new Island Batik Signature Collection, designed by Kathy Engle, is a collection of vibrant batiks - alive with playful dots, swirling colors, and wild Celtic knots, in a sea of vibrant greens and blues.  Limerick is a great name for it! Notwithstanding Limerick (the city) in Ireland, if I were inspired to think up a quick limerick (the poem), it might go something like this:

Snow Day!

There once was woman who sewed
Whose legs were so thoroughly bowed
She only could sit
Only moving a bit
And had nary a care if it snowed

Okay, I admit it - I'm a much better quilter than I am a poet!

This snowy New England winter morning was the perfect time to start my Limerick project!

Which fabrics to choose? 
And which Studio 180 Design pattern?

I didn't have to think too long. 
I chose one of the beautiful blue Irish knot prints
and "Summer Blossoms," the Modern 180 pattern designed by Studio 180 Design Certified Instructor, Michelle Renee Hiatt.

I decided to make a one-block "Summer Blossoms" sample.  I thought a small table topper or wall quilt would be just the thing.  I pulled out my Square Squared, Wing Clipper and Corner Pop - three of my favorite tools!  

 
The Center Diamond made with the Square Squared Tool


Making the Flying Geese

The block worked up pretty quickly of course.  After all, it was only one block - and I had to get out and shovel!


But after a few renditions, and tossing things around a bit...


I finally decided on an octagonal shape with two black borders and a flange.


Maybe working on "Summer Blossoms" will help melt the snow a little faster?  Or maybe not.  I could use another snow day to use all the rest of my Limerick batiks to make the rest of the quilt! And truth be told - I already cut it out and can't wait to start sewing.  This is a pattern I've wanted to make for a long time - and now I have found the perfect fabric!

I hope you enjoyed this Blog Hop. Don't forget to visit our other amazing and talented Studio 180 Design CI bloggers: 


And don't forget to pick up your Limerick batiks at a shop near you!