Welcome back to Island Batik Week!! We’re so excited to partner with this wonderful company to present a variety of new fabric lines along with the coordinating Aurifil thread collections. We’ll be featuring one designer every day and each post will offer a fabric + thread giveaway so make sure to come back daily to learn more about our talented designers to enter-to-win some gorgeous prizes!
ISLAND BATIK WEEK SCHEDULE
7/18 – Introduction to Island Batik
7/19 – Seashore by Tammy Silvers (Today)
7/20 – Equinox by 4th & 6th Designs
7/21 – Surf Squirt by Claudia Pfeil
7/22 – Tide Pools & Sand Dune by Kathy Engle
To learn more about Island Batik and the batik process, please visit their website. For a peek at the full range of Spring/Summer releases, click here or on the image below to browse the catalog.
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You can just feel the sun, sand and surf in the Seashore collection by Kathy Engle forTammy Silvers of Tamarinis. The warm creams, greens and purples will bring delight to your sea-salted senses! The accompanying Aurifil thread collection offers a large box of bright hues in 40wt and a small box of 10 luscious spools of our embroidery floss. There is a colorful surprise awaiting everyone in the Seashore collection!
THREAD COLLECTION DETAILS
Seashore
100% Aurifil Cotton
Large – 40wt, 1094yds each, 12 colors, Large Spools
1114 – 2132 – 2150 – 2420 – 2479 – 2520 – 2560 -2780 – 2805 – 2810 – 4020 – 4093
Small – Aurifloss, 18yds each, 10 colors, Small Spools
1147 – 1148 – 2120 – 2150 – 2582 – 2740 – 4020 – 4093 – 5002 – 5018
To view this info on our website, click the images above. For purchasing, please contact your local Aurifil Dealer.
THE INTERVIEW
What first inspired you to start sewing?
Inspired to sew? That’s tough – because I can’t really remember a time when I didn’t sew! I grew up with makers (like many of us!), and it just seemed to be a natural part of expression to sew what I wanted, and what I needed. Of course, now I’ve gone from aesthetically appealing utility sewing to more artistic form of expression sewing, but it is all a natural part of my history.
Do you remember the first project that you made and how you felt after it was complete?
My first quilt (and is it still a quilt if it was never layered and quilted?) was not the most attractive thing I’ve ever created (it was butt ugly, actually!), but something in that first quilting class inspired me, and I continued on. The next quilt I made, a sampler, was, in hindsight, not the greatest either, but I felt such a sense of accomplishment and an excitement to go further and explore other methods of piecing. And I haven’t stopped since!
Who has been the most inspiring person within your creative career?
Ohhh. Just one? I’ve got a few.
I started teaching quilting a few years in, and I taught loads of projects from Eleanor Burns’ books and Pat Sloan’s books (two very different approaches and aesthetics), and their methods and styles heavily influenced me (I still tell people I want to be Pat Sloan when I grow up!).
And years and years ago, in the beginning of my quilting journey, I became friends with Jodie Davis. Her encouraging, friendly demeanor and her “let’s try this” approach to traditional methods spurred me to do the same – try anything!
What is your go-to sewing technique?
I like almost anything, but when I get really “creative” with my blocks and angles, I find paper piecing is my best friend. It lets me get those odd angles and perfect points every time. I’m experimenting now with an approach to improvisational piecing that will help those quilters that need just a bit more control feel comfortable with the process.
How did you first get involved with Island Batik?
Oh, another tough one. I don’t remember the first initial contact, but I’ve been creating projects for Island Batik for years and years and (cough) years. It has always been a wonderful experience, whether creating projects for publications, or for my own pattern line. I mean, who wouldn’t love working with all those luscious fabrics? Any project looks awesome in their batiks!
What do you love most about Batik fabrics?
I love so many things about batiks – the saturation of color, even in the soft pastels (yes, I do use pastels – sometimes!). I love the high thread count of batiks, which means your piecing is true because the fabric isn’t stretching out of shape. I love that there usually isn’t a wrong or a right side – which makes cutting and piecing so much easier. I love the range of colors and motifs. I guess you can tell – I love batiks in general, and they truly are my “go to” fabrics of choice.
Do you have a favorite project that you’ve made using the fabrics and threads of Seashore?
Again with the favorites! How can a mother pick a favorite – and yes, the quilts are very much like my children! But ok – hmmmm. It’s a toss up – Melon Bloom is a remake of a traditional quilt and I love how the bright side of the line really shows off the blooms. But then Sea Salt is awesome in a different way – it pulls in some of the softer colors, and really showcases my less traditional approach with blocks that spill out into the borders.
How did you first discover Aurifil threads?
At Quilt Market (I don’t remember which one – but it’s been a while!) – the full range of colors and threads was immediately eye catching. And then once I sewed with it, that was it. I was hooked! I use Aurifil for all my stitching – from piecing with 50wt gray or beige, to quilting with 40wt, and then of course, embellishment with the wool thread (awesome on wool applique!) or the 12wt, which is what I’m using with my upcoming Island Batik/Aurifil projects for Fall Market.
What is your process for selecting the colors for the coordinating Aurifil thread collection?
Selection is the hardest part. Aurifil has such a wonderful range of colors, it is truly difficult to narrow the selection down. But I do try to choose colors that represent the current fabric line, coordinate with it, and yet will show against the range of fabric colors.
Do you have a favorite color or weight?
Well, as I mentioned, I use Aurifil for everything, so I can’t imagine doing any stitching without it. My 50wt gray is my go to for all piecing. For embellishment, it’s a toss up between the wool thread (I LOVE that you can use it in the machine for top stitching) and the 12wt. They have such a wonderful look against the smoothness of the fabrics. As for color – well, all the colors in the Seashore collection are wonderful. But…..can we just take a minute to admire that awesome teal (#4093)…….yes!
THE GIVEAWAY
To enter-to-win 1 Large Seashore Thread Collection and one Fat Quarter Bundle of Seashore fabrics from Island Batik, click here to head to the Rafflecopter entry page, or simply click on the image above. You do not have to complete all the options to be entered but the more options you choose, the more entries you have! Entries will be accepted from now through 11:59pm Eastern Time on Monday, July 25! Winner will be randomly selected and announced here on Tuesday, July 26. Good luck!
UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Tammy Corcoran!!
ABOUT TAMMY
Blog — Facebook — Pinterest — Twitter — Instagram
Tammy Silvers is the designer behind the brand Tamarinis. She’s been designing quilts for 10 years, and prides herself on offering bold, fresh new patterns for quilters of all levels. She enjoys working with almost any fabric, but her favorites (the one that makes her drool and blow a carefully constructed budget) are batiks, bold prints, and chicken prints. Having a background in art and literature, another of her guilty quilty pleasures is finding ways to use “words” in her work, be it in the fabric itself or by adding them to the piece.
Tammy is a Georgia native and currently lives in Acworth with her husband, children (when they come to visit!), dog, and her favorite fat cats.
Under the label Tamarinis, her designs are regularly published in a variety of quilt magazines, including Quilt, McCall’s Quilting, American Patchwork and Quilting, Stitch, Fons and Porter’s Love of Quilting, Quilty, Quilt It…Today, Sew It…Today, Stitch and Create and Decorate. She also works with some of the major fabric manufacturers designing projects to showcase and promote their fabric lines, including Island Batik (of course!), Northcott Fabrics, Blend, Camelot and Fabri-Quilt.
ABOUT ISLAND BATIK
Website — Blog — Facebook — Pinterest — Twitter — Instagram
Island Batik is a manufacturer, importer and distributor of cotton batik, rayon batik and hand-printed cotton from Indonesia. Originally established in 1997, Island Batik’s mission is to share the ancient cultural art of batik and hand-dyed fabric with our many valued customers around the world.
I love the rich colors of batiks, and the fact that they don’t fray, which makes them great for applique.
I like the colours and motifs of batiks. Thanks for a chance to win.
I started quilting recently and haven’t yet worked with batiks. I love the colors and patterns though & my next project, a Snail Trail quilt, will be made with batiks.
The colors are all so fresh! Just like you dive into the ocean, you want to dive into the colors!
I love the richness of colors that you can get from batiks.
I like how they all blend together!
The colors are so saturated and beautiful…and the fabric is tightly woven…perfect for applique!
I love the depth of colours, and for landscape appliques you can fussy cut from one piece of fabric and get so many different looks.
I love the colors. Beautiful.
I love batiks, especially for appliqué!
I have a great collection of batiks-just waiting for the right quilt-I have used batiks once or twice on a quilt, the draw for me on batiks has always been the amazing “artwork” & combinations of colors! My go-to Aurifil threads-my wonderful collection-always guarantee a matching color.
I love the colors of batiks & all the great designs.
I’ve only been quilting for a little over a year and have not yet tried batiks. I love the colors and am collecting scraps from quilting friends for an applique quilt which I hope to start this winter.
I love the colors in the batiks and the fabric has a nice feel and sews up so nicely! It is my favorite to sew with lately.
I love the rich colors of batiks.
I love the rich colors and variety of patterns.
The colors in Batiks have always grabbed my attention! Gorgeous! And the feel of the fabric is pretty amazing as well!
I love the colors of batiks and was hooked on them the first time I saw some in a fabric store. A bonus was the high thread count that made for more accurate piecing and applique with no fraying. Your collections are beautiful!
Love the colors of Island Batiks! They go pretty much with anything… modern or classic:)
Love the colors and designs.
I love the colors and the variations of each piece.
love batiks and their colors are vibrant
Batiks just happen to be my favourite fabric because the colours and textures are gorgeous… Plus they sew very nicely!!
The colors and the crisp feel of the fabric. I also love the smell of the wax when they heat up when pressed. 😉
I just love everything about batiks, you can always find a color for something special and the fact that thread comes in so many colors is wonderful.
I love how the colors blend so well with batiks for not only appliquesbut for Bargellos!! Love batiks!!
The batiks are gorgeous! Love aurifils quality!
I have few batiks in my stash, I use them as soon as I buy them, they are so versatile.
I have never met a batik I didn’t like! My stash is full of them. 🙂
I love the colors of batiks and the way morph and swirl and create such texture. It’s easy to combine multiple patterns and designs because the colors work so well together.
I love the dense thread count of batiks for applique. I love the rich colors available in these beautiful fabrics. These are definitely my go to for realistic landscape quilts, nothing else works as well. Thanks for the generous giveaway.
these are gorgeous. I have only worked with batiks once. they were a lot of fun to work with. the colors worked well with other fabrics nicely
I love batiks! I love the intensity of the colors and that either side of the fabric is gorgeous! Seashore is a lovely collection. And, the matching Aurifil threads are “to die for” beautiful!
I absolutely love the colors and richness of textures batiks lend to my projects.
i love the silky feel and stable weave of the batiks; and, of course, the lovely colors.
I love the colors in batiks! Tammy has really designed some beautiful quilts!
Batiks always catch my eye they are so rich and full of color I have never worked with them but definitely look forward to trying them and pairing them with Aurifil thread can only mean one thing…beauty!!
When I see batiks, I have a problem just picking a few – I want them all. I love that they are the same on both sides, have intense color, and can make any block or art quilt so exciting. Aurifil threads make any project better.
I love the movement of the colors of batiks; they work with so many aspects of my projects.
I love the rich colors of batik fabrics and the tight weave makes them less likely to stretch or fray.
love the textures within the vibrant colors! It’s like getting a bonus of surface design.
Where do I find the pattern for Rondure . It’s spectacular. Thanks
Sent from my iPad
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Contact the designer Marlene Oddie at Kissed Quilts 509.386.5715 or marlene at kissedquilts dot com. Thanks for your interest!
I love the colors and feel of batiks.
I love the way batiks provide colors and textures with soft transitions. Batiks don’t shout, they whisper.
I’ve been quilting 26 years now, for the last 3 years using ONLY batiks…those poor orphan printed fabrics…
Less raveling and bright strong colors.
I love the colors! They’re so nicely saturated and rich!
I love the higher thread count, the vibrant colors, and the awesome designs. Thanks for a great giveaway!
What I love about batiks is the ease of matching solids. With so many shade variations, it’s easier for me to coordinate fabrics. There’s also so many patterns available in batiks!
Love the colors and textures of the fabric.
Love that batiks have no wrong side. Love the colors of this collection!
I love the fact that I can mix up front and back of a batik and it doesn’t matter. I also love all the different rich variations there seem to be in batik fabrics.
Thanks for the chance to win.
I love the muticolors/shades and patterns that batiks have.
I like the way the colors blend together when piecing so that I can mix different hues but they seem to go together. Also, sometimes there is a subtle image in the print; it’s fun to find it.
The rich colors are lovely to work with.
I love the weight of the fabrics, quality and uniqueness of the batik design, as well as the vibrant colors.
QuiltShopGal
http://www.quiltshopgal.com
Love the gorgeous prints, colors and the way the patterns give the fabric texture.
This is absolutely so sweet!!! I can’t wait to win… hahahaha!
I love batiks for their vivid colors and how they blend so well to create a marbelled effect in quilts 🙂
I love the colors and the prints. Always amazing.
There’s so much to love about batiks. The fabric is tightly woven so it doesn’t fray, and the colors emulate the beautiful complementary hues of nature. And the variety!
I love all the possibilities that batiks offer you in the creative process!😃
Every color imaginable! Love that batiks are almost mistake proof.
Most of all I love the colors of Batiks and how well they play with one another. I love piecing quilts with batiks because the fabrics stay nice and crisp, making them easy to work with and they do not fray. I would love to win this package, Island Batiks and Aurifil Threads, two of my favorite things.
I haven’t worked with batiks yet, but I have a project ready to go in the near future. I think it will be interesting to work with the tighter weave from what I am used to.
Love the gorgeous prints & textures. The color saturation on batiks is wonderful!
I love the rich colors of the batiks.
Beautiful colors — threads and fabrics!
The colors and prints of Batiks are so uplifting and easy to work with. No matter what project I am working on it always finishes with a dramatic design.
Omg! Those threads colours are absolutly stunning! And these fabrics… aaah! Can’t wait to create a lovely quilt! Such an awesome collection! Thanks for this giveaway! Yay! @alextilalila
I love the bright vibrant colours of most batiks and how the colors blend together in various patterns. There’s always a colour surprise when using batiks!
I love how you can use just one piece of fabric for applique and it will give you such a variety. Just awesome as it never ravels like regular cottons.
Such wonderful colors and fabric. Choosing a favorite would be VERY VERY Hard. Thank you for the interview.
LOVE THE VARIED MOTIFS MOST! THANKS FOR SHARING!
I love that batiks are different, yet alike. Love all the colors and patterns. Good luck to everyone.
I like the colors, so rich.
I like that you can use either side for the right side
love batiks for the rich colors … love the soft colors of sea shore. love my aurifil 50wt – use it for everything!
I like how each bit of fabric is unique, depending upon how you cut into it.
The “Sea Salt” design has beautiful colors!
I love the texture and look of Batiks, and the fact that they’re double-sided makes them sew easy to work with!
I love batiks for their organic and earthy look, the way the colors beautifully blend. I love sewing with them!
I went on the Island Batiks website because I am in love with the Rondure pattern shown on Airbuzz. The pattern is “oversold” and they advise that you check back in the future. Why would you show a quilt whose pattern is not available? That is so frustrating.
The pattern is available for shops that carry Island Batik (through IB) or directly from the designer, (ME) , Marlene Oddie at KISSed Quilts. You’re welcome to call me or email me. 509.386.5715 or marlene at kissedquilts dot com Thanks so much for your interest. Loved talking with you today Frieda, your pattern will be on its way shortly.
I love using batiks fabrics. They are wonderful for applique.
I love working with batiks because of their beautiful colors. I have yet to see a batik that I don’t like.
I haven’t worked much with batiks but love the variety of colors you can get in one piece. The motifs are fun too!
Thanks for the chance to win!
I love the depth and vibrancy batiks bring to any project.
I love their blending quality!!
I love the colors and patterns.
Love the blending of colors in batiks and how I can use either the front or back of the fabric.
I haven’t ever made a quilt of all batiks. Not sure what I would like.
I guess I am going through a teal phase but that changes with the season. Pretty fabrics that say get outside its summer
Love the colors!! Shadings & prints that show thru…Amazing & AWESOME!
thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way too! 🙂
I like the saturation of colors and how soft they feel when washed.
I am in first year of quilting and about to put a border on my first batik quilt.
Batiks have been my favorites for several years. The colors are amazing!
I love the exotic look of the prints and colors. They make such stunning quilts.
I love so much! Island Batik’s fabric doesn’t fray like many of the other brands. It’s a great weight, too. And the colors are awesome, and the designs?? Great. I love the blenders and the white/creams for backgrounds (many other brands don’t have that). They are just so pretty and so easy to quilt with.
I love the vibrant colors and they don’t fray for applique.
I like the all the different patterns in the batiks.
I love the color variations and find they don’t fray like the solids I use.
Love, love, love Island Batiks. They are sooo pretty and such high quality fabrics. 🙂
craftyccain@gmail.com
I love that they are double sided, so there’s no way for me to make a mistake when cutting shapes or when piecing.
Absolutely gorgeous colors – perfect for the HOT summertime in the Deep South!
color, texture, use either side!
And doesn’t ravel much.
The fabrics they use for batiks are the best, and the design is usually very interesting to look at. Love, love batiks!
I love the textures of batiks!
The beautiful and vibrant saturated colors of batiks make everything made with them that much more special. Thanks!
I like that both sides are usable. I love the vibrant colors too.
Thank you!
Such beautiful colors. Seashore colorways are favorites.
I think the fabric is a little better quality with batiks. It seems to be a tighter weave and it frays less.
Batiks are fun to work with because of the many textures they add to a quilt design. It’s hard to say no to a batik!!!
Such beautiful colors, and so little lint.
Love the colors of Island Batiks!!! They are gorgeous.
Sea Salt is such a beautiful quilt. I just love that it passes over the borders, and the colors are so pretty.
These are my favorite colors together..purples and aquas!
I love batiks because of the saturated colors and unique prints. Every piece is different! I’m starting my first quilt made with Island Batiks, and they feel so good and cut nicely!
reillyr2(at)hotmail(dot)com
batiks seem to mesh with each other and sew breautifully.
I love the variation in colour without loss of intensity. Batiks are very good for applique flowers for this reason.
And batiks make fabulous summer frocks.
I love the rich beautiful colors, they add so much to my quilts.
I’m always amazed at how unique the variety of colors and prints in each fabric.
Love the Aurifloss and I love how batiks flow together and especially how they look as a background for water.
I don’t know what I like about working with batiks. I have only used one batik when I had to substitute for another fabric that I ran out of while in a class making a wall hanging. Back then I did not care for batiks. Now, I an’t afford them.
I love the subtle color variations in batiks
It’s the colors and subtle prints that make each inch of a piece of fabric different. Love them.
I absolutely love the colors of your batiks, I am always inspired to make something each time I looks at your collections.
Truly love the way batiks transition, softly, hue to hue. It’s like a whisper.
THank you Tammy for sharing your quilt expertise, and excursion w/threads and fabric.
I love batik colors! They always have colors and designs that are so beautiful it inspires me to make more! Thanks so much!
I love working them into quilts for beautiful pops of color.
I love the richness of the colors. Beautiful.
I love the diversity of colors! This collection is one I really like, subtle but with texture.
I like the mix of color.
Colors really remind me of the ocean!
I love the way the designs spark my imagination. crystalbluern at tds dot net
I love that there is no wrong side with most batiks! And they sew and press so nicely!
I love batiks because they don’t stretch or shrink like cottons.
I love working with batiks because they always make me smile.The vibrant colors just bring out the happy little stitcher in me…. happyness04431@yahoo.com
The colors are beautiful! and come in such a variety of shades. Karen
Love these colors. I’m a huge fan of anything blue/green and these are just stunning! The Sea Salt pattern is lovely, I’d love to try making that!
I love the dense weave of the fabric and saturation of colors.
Love the colors and the substrate!
I have a kaleidoscope pattern picked out to paper piece with batiks. Batiks really make the color of the quilt vibrant. Thank you, peterstankovich@comcast.net
Love Tammy’s work and her eye for patterns using batiks is phenomenal.