Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Centred: Log Cabin Blog Hop With Island Batik

It is my day to share my Log Cabin quilt, and I am very excited to show you what I created.
My line of fabric is Prairie Skies. I was born in Alberta, and spent many happy times at my grandma's farm, and at my aunt's farm with my cousins, so I know all about those blue Alberta prairie skies. Blue is also my favourite colour, so I was so happy to get to work with this line!



Log cabin quilts are one of my all-time favourite blocks, and were among the first blocks I made when I started quilting. I've had a profound love for pioneers all my life, virtually 'lived' in The Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. My grandparents were homesteaders; though they didn't build the log cabin in which my Dad grew up, I think they were the second owners. Prior to owning this quarter section with the log cabin on it, my grandpa worked as a hired hand on other farms.
That's my dad, my girls and my sister's boys in front of that log cabin, back in 1991 I believe.

I played around in EQ8 with a Quarter Log Cabin block I designed last year for another fabric company, and came up with... oh, multiple pretty cool designs. It was hard to decide which one to do! Because I was away ten days this month, I had to A. focus and stop dithering (and playing) and B. make a little smaller project than originally planned.
Bella presided over the undoing of half yard cuts, and pressing. She really liked these for an arm rest, and I had to arm wrestle her to get them to the ironing board!

It is just so incredibly gratifying and exciting, to see a quilt you draw either on graph paper or digitally, come to life in fabric.

Don't mind Vigil beneath the blocks; it is staying on the design wall before embarking on an adventure, and so I had to pin on top of it when building the log cabin quilt.

As you know, I love shadow quilts and quilts with layers, so with a little creative colouring of block sections, I created this layered log cabin design. I carefully pieced all the variations of the quarter log cabin block (there are six), sewed all the blocks together, and loaded it onto Avril, my longarm Monday afternoon. Yep, yesterday.

Some quilters play bobbin chicken. I play blog hop chicken! (not a game I'd like to repeat, I must say). I knew I'd be doing ruler work, and wanted to play with a design of just straight lines. I did horizontal ones in the outer partial squares, and had an epiphany to do a burst effect in the centre floating block. Originally I had planned to do vertical lines here. I love when the quilt talks to me! This was just perfect for the effect and the symbolism in the quilt.

I took it off Avril and pegged it sans binding onto my trusty deck for some natural (overcast) lighting.

Don't these blues just sing?!

All the while I was working on the quilt, I knew it would be one for me. I teach and practice yoga, and when I teach, I always have a quilt with me to sit my sit bones upon when sitting cross-legged on my mat.

When it came to the name, I chose 'Centred' to mean a couple of things. The central full block that floats on the background four partial ones is one meaning. In yoga, we always 'centre' before beginning our practice, which means finding that quiet deep down part of you, your essence. It can also mean your place of strength, both physically, by engaging your bandhas, and spiritually, acknowledging your true self.


The horizontal lines are quilted in navy Aurifil, 1" apart, and the rays are quilted in medium blue Aurifil, 1.5 to 2" apart. The horizontal lines symbolize the outer world, and the rays of lines symbolize the quieter drawing in of self, yet at the same time radiating out.

I pieced it with the green and it worked well on all the shades. I did use some white Aurifil when it came to the final rounds of the blocks where I used Rice (love this neutral of Island Batik).

I used 'Animal Tracks' to bind it, and laid it on my new sewing studio floor for a photo!
I just love it and plan to take it to my Tuesday 6 am yoga class I teach! I also plan to add in an outside photo weather permitting, after I teach.
Update: (still overcast, but at least the rain has stopped for a bit).
On our gate, trying to get as much natural light as possible onto it. This actually is a very true representation of the blues. Even the rich navies have depth.


The backing is a batik I bought a few years ago, thinking I'd make a second yoga mat bag with it. It is not one of Island Batik's, so I won't show it here, but it has a person doing Sun Salutations on it, just perfect! I had just a yard, so I had to add a little Prairie Skies to make it big enough.
Star and Berries were the two pieces I added to the top and bottom of the quilt. Here is the label, which looks crooked, but it isn't; I just was trying to show as little of the Suns as possible!

I stitched the binding onto the back and then top-stitched it down to the front. You can see where I stitched my initials into the lower right corner as per usual.

I didn't do my usual use-all-20-fabrics-in-one-quilt quilt for this hop, but do not fret! I have a plan for another quarter log cabin quilt that will use all but one.... I have no more deer left, the one I used for the outer border. Ah well, I was given 2 yards of animal tracks, which is the same rich navy, so not to worry!

Thank you so very much to Island Batik, Aurifil, Hobbs Batting, Schmetz Needles, and AccuQuilt for supplying fabric, thread, batting, needles (I always use Microtex 70/10 for batiks) and a 2 1/2" die which was used in constructing the quilt.

Quilt Stats:
Pattern: Original design
Size: 40.5" x 40.5"
Fabric: Island Batik
Backing: Island Batik and batik from stash
Batting: Hobbs Premium 80/20 Cotton Polyester
Quilted: on Avril my Avanté; 26 985 stitches
Threads: pieced with Aurifil on my Bernina; quilted with Aurifil 50 wt, The Bottom Line in the bobbin.

Announcements!
1. The first one is that this quilt is what we will be making for this year's QAL. It is the fourth year I have run a spring QAL, so stay tuned for exact dates in the very near future. Traditionally, we seem to start around or on my birthday, April 3, and finish on my dad's birthday, June 15, so those are rough dates to keep in mind.

2. Be sure to visit my sister-ambassador, Connie Kauffman, who has also created a quilt with Prairie Skies.

Giveaway!
1. I am giving away eight fat eighths (they'll be 4.5 - 5" wide) of Island Batik fabric.

To enter, use the Rafflecopter widget below. The giveaway ends at midnight EST on February 29. The winner will be emailed.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to head to the Island Batik blog where you will find a list of all those participating in all the weeks of the hop. Tons and tons of eye candy and inspiration abound! And here is the Rafflecopter widget for a giveaway with Island Batik!
a Rafflecopter giveaway




Linking up
Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Quilt Fabrication
My Quilt Infatuation
TGIFF at Home Sewn by Us
Quilty Girl

This is another one of my Q1FAL Goals completed!




64 comments:

  1. Jewel Box, would be my choice, the colours sing with delight, and my favourite blues, purples and all others say " Pick Me", Love your quilt, the quilting the design, and NO matter what, I will be in the quilt along , so I need to start stocking up on some Aurifil threads right now.

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  2. Wow! I love it & although I don't know how a bloghop works, I'm sure I'll pop in to have a look at what you are all enjoying. Take care.

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  3. I love Centred, with the gorgeous blues and those radiating lines make the centre pop. Beautiful!

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  4. The floating center block is so cool. Well done! Of course I love a blue quilt. You have nerves of steel to get this done in time — not just done, beautifully done!

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  5. I love the straight line quilting. It pulls the design together.

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  6. I love several of the new collections. I will say "ColorPop" today....but oooh some of those other lines are so tempting.
    Your quilt is delightful. It is wonderful to have your artwork "talk" to you when you are creating. I love it when that happens to me. I know that it means I am fully in the moment.

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  7. Your quilt is beautiful Sandra. I really love how you quilted the center to radiate out to the other blocks. So pretty!
    Thank you for the giveaway. My favorite collection is Kismet.

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  8. You have outdone yourself with this pattern - centered - how appropriate for your yoga practice!

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  9. That is a great design, Sandra! I was reading along, thinking I'd like to make this quilt, and there you were, announcing a qal. I'll look forward to it!

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  10. I love log cabin quilts and batik fabrics and yours are just beautiful. My new favorite is ColorPop.

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  11. I like Kismet. Great color combination.

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  12. That is a tough question. I would have to start with Bloomers. Wow but your quilt is stunning. Those fabrics are so pretty. quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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  13. I love Sunset Blooms! Love your quilt and looking forward to your upcoming quilt a long!

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  14. Must say that I am a fan of prairie skies. Just love those blues. Your binding looks perfect. What strip width are you using for what width of binding? I've been using my regular foot, which is about 3/8" and 2.5", but the quilt I am currently binding is not happy at all with that combo. I will persevere to finish with it, for OMG.

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  15. I like Color Pop, I love bright colors but Blue is one of my favorite colors. I love blue and white quilts

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  16. I love this all, but I think Kismet catches my eye the most!

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  17. Lovely, and so meaningful. I like all the new collections, and seem to be drawn to the current day's colours. Having to pick, I can narrow it down to Kismet and Mesa Verde.
    I am looking forward to the QAL.

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  18. Your quilt is lovely. I especially like how you quilted it. My favorite collection this season is Kismet...love all the color!

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  19. Well I have selected Prairie Skies before so I will stay with that choice. Your quilting really helps that center section to stand out and giving the layered effect. Nancy A: SewingGranda@gmail.com

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  20. I am finding out that my favorite is the current one shown. The ambassadors are very talented, and show such beautiful quilts!

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  21. Bloomers and Jewel Box are my favorite collections.

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  22. Being blue is my all time favourite colour, it should be no surprise that Prairie Skies ticks all the boxes for me. Thanks

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  23. I would love to name a new line springtime and have all the new fresh greens and yellows of spring in the fabric colours. Thanks

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  24. Jewel Box is my favorite collection.

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  25. Oow, can't wait for the quilt a long, I really like this quilt.

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  26. My very favourite collection is Prairie Skies... love those blues💙💙💙

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  27. I would be hard pressed to choose a favorite line. I think Prairie skies is my current favorite. Great quilt, and the quilting is lovely too.

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  28. I'm a sucker for blues too! Prairie Skies does it for me and gives such a nice visual when I close my eyes.

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  29. It's hard to choose a favorite as I like most of these new lines. But I guess my favorite is "Bloomers". I really like this one, too.

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  30. Ancient Etchings is my favorite collection, although with each collection I see I like that one even more than I thought I would.

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  31. This is beautiful, the design is so different from a traditional log cabin, but perfect for the fabrics.

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  32. I love the inspiration that inspired this delicious quilt. I am always so impressed with those that homesteaded and lived in such conditions. It is a real treat to see your family's log cabin! I can picture you resting on this while guiding your class. How wonderful!

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  33. that is a very hard question and unfair :-( . well there is ancient etchings and faded blue jeans and colorpop. that will be enof right now or I might end up naming them all :-)

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  34. Prairie Skies! I love all these blue shades! Thank you, Susan

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  35. My favorite collection this season is Kismet. Good job on the log cabin project. Not sure I can join in the QAL, but it looks interesting.
    Pat

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  36. My favorite collection is Kismet. I do love the blues you used in your quilt. The quilt is beautiful and the quilted rays in your center block are PERFECT for this quilt. Once again you have inspired me. Thank you.

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  37. Jewel Box and Prairie Skies are my favorites!! Love your quilt and the symbolism in your quilting. I bet you enjoyed sitting on this quilt this morning!!

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  38. I love all of them but Color Pop is calling my name.

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  39. Jewel Box is my favorite, but so many of them are wonderful!

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  40. Frist off I do love your quilt and all them blues how can it not be my favorite prairie skys....but there all so pretty.... happyness04431@yahoo.com

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  41. Your quilt is beautiful! My favorite of the new collections is Faded Blue Jeans.

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  42. Kismet is my favorite. I do love your quilt with the beautiful blues!!
    barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

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  43. Well done on the speedy finish and the beautiful quilt Sandra. It's gorgeous in those blues and I love that it has a meaningful home and name already!

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  44. I am a batik addict, so I love all batiks . I do love blue alot so this line - Prairie Skies - is my favorite today.

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  45. I too was born (and still live in) Alberta. I know what you mean about the blue Alberta prairie skies. The sky is the best here! My favorite collection is Prairie Skies. Thanks!

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  46. Beautiful! I love the movement you have gotten with your quilting lines.

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  47. Prairie Skies is my favorite new Island Batik line!!

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  48. Wow, so impressive! You never cease to amaze me! I spent a lot of my childhood on the prairies in the Texas Panhandle. Prairie Skies is my favorite.

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  49. My favorite line is Catching Dreams

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  50. Sandra, you always pull off the best projects when you are scrunched for time! The blues in this collection were just calling for you to make this quilt and the work that Avril did was the perfect touch! As much as I love this collection, my favorite is Kismet...those colors make me sigh!
    duchick at gmail dot com

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  51. Your quilt is gorgeous!
    Love the design and the
    colors. I love the Kismet
    collection.
    Carla from Utah

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  52. Ancient etchings is my favorite collection so far thanks you for sharing your lovely quilt

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  53. This quilt is so beautiful and so is it's story. I can just picture you doing yoga on it. Lovely.

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  54. Sandra, this is absolutely beautiful! I love the radiating lines quilting! If I decide to participate in your QAL, I've already decided I will do radiating lines through the entire quilt as my quilting! (I only do straight line quilting so figuring out a plan early is key :) ) The blues are stunning and so is Centered!

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  55. Το πάπλωμα σου είναι υπέροχο.
    Μου αρέσει η σειρά Kismet.
    Kisses from Greece

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  56. Gorgeous quilt! Of all the new lines, I think my favorite is Faded Blue Jeans.

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  57. I love the colors in ancient etchings. It is breathtaking.

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  58. This is a great pattern!! Well done. Amazing work.

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  59. Hi Sandra! Before I get to the quilt and the QAL (!!) your new floor is gorgeous! It turned out great - you have to be so happy with it. Your quilt to too beautiful and it truly lets all these fab batiks shine. I wonder how the heck I missed this post originally . . . but glad I saw it for TGIFF. This will surely be a fun QAL, plus now you've shared how to quilt the finished item already. Happy Leap Day and thank you so much for linking up with TGIFF. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  60. Oh that is a beautiful quilt - but the story behind it and the photo at the Log cabin... that pulled my heart!!! LOVE it!

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  61. What a wonderful quilt! Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.

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  62. Your log cabin quilt is glorious, and you have done Island Batik proud again. I hope you enjoy using this very fitting quilt during your classes.
    I too love the log cabin block and grew up in a "log cabin" home. It wasn't a true log cabin, but a small kit home that was cloaked in half pine logs and looked like a log cabin (ish). My job was to evict the spiders out of every crack between the logs each weekend! My father built it all but the wiring, which by law had to be done by a licensed tradie. Thanks for sharing at the Chameleon's colour & inspiration party.

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