Here we are at the final day of Island Batik week. What a joy it has been to not only present these stunning collections but also to learn more about the amazing women who designed them. We’re feeling incredibly inspired and are so looking forward to seeing what you all create with this gorgeous palettes. What is on your batik to-sew list?
As a recap, we featured one Island Batik designer each day this week to showcase new fabric & coordinating Aurifil collections. Each post offers a fabric + thread giveaway so make sure to visit all posts to learn more about our talented designers to enter-to-win some gorgeous prizes!
ISLAND BATIK WEEK SCHEDULE
1/10 – Coastal Mist by Tammy Silvers
1/11 – Glowing Embers by Cheri Good Designs
1/12 – Dotalicious by Claudia Pfeil
1/13 – Surf and Sand by Fourth and Sixth Designs
1/14 – Fresh Catch by Jackie Kunkel (YOU ARE HERE!)
To learn about Island Batik and the batik process, please visit their website. For a peek at the full range of Fall/Winter 2016 releases, in-stores now, click here or on the image below to browse the catalog. To check in on Island Batik’s news, please visit their blog.
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The Fresh Catch collection by Kathy Engle for Jackie Kunkel is a rich display of oranges, greens, and browns that remind us of a brilliant day of fishing in the NorthEast! Her coordinating Aurifil collection features twelve large spools of 50wt thread that compliment each other perfectly and serve to highlight the rich hues that are so typical of batik fabrics.
THREAD COLLECTION DETAILS
Fresh Catch
12 Large Spools, 40wt (1422yds/spool), 100% Aurifil Cotton
1147 – 2145 – 2155 – 2235 – 2310 – 2318
2390 – 2887 – 4150 – 4653 – 5009 – 5015
To view this info on our website, click the images above. For purchasing, please contact your local Aurifil Dealer.
THE INTERVIEW
How did you first get started in the world of sewing and quilting?
I actually began sewing in 6 grade Home Economics class back in the early 70s. I sewed mainly garments, but did make my first patchwork pillow that I still have. I was also very crafty and loved embroidery. If I had a pair of jeans or a jean jacket it was like a blank canvas to me… it got embroidered. But I really didn’t pick up sewing again until I was pregnant with my first child in early 1993. I took out the sewing machine and began making baby clothes. Then my hubby prompted me to “get a hobby” so I took a quilting class and it was history!
Who has been the most inspiring person within your creative career?
Now that is a tough question as there are so many people that I can name and for so many different reasons. But I guess if I had to pick one it would be Judy Niemeyer. I have followed her career since the late 90s and then went on to become one of her Certified Instructors. I love teaching her techniques and patterns all over the country.
Do you remember the first quilt that you ever made and how you felt once it was complete?
Yes I do! I made a Quilt In A Day – Star Log Cabin by Eleanor Burns. It changed my life and thinking about quilting. I thought it was revolutionary, the whole strip piecing, rotary cutting thing. I was thrilled when I completed it from start to finish! But I no longer have it, I gave it to my best friend. It was made of blues and pinks in calico fabrics. She graced her dining room table with it as it was a table topper.
What inspired you to open up your quilt shop, Canton Village Quilt Works, and what do you love most about being a small shop owner?
Truth be told, I am online only. I never had a brick and mortar shop. But I intentionally did online only as doing it this was allowed me to continue to design patterns and travel teaching. But the inspiration was… of course… FABRIC!!! We quilters love fabric and have to have it. I specialized in just a few different kinds and that was it. Batiks were the biggest part of my inventory, then solids, Kaffe Fassett, and black and white fabrics. So in answer to your question as to what I love most…. it was the fabric and being online gave me different freedoms than owning a physical shop. It was a win, win for me! Love every moment.
You recently moved from CT to AZ — how did that affect your business and have you found new inspiration with your new surroundings?
As far as the teaching and designing part, it hasn’t really affected it at all. But the online part has downsized a bit.
What does being a Judy Niemeyer Certified Instructor mean to you and your business?
To me it means everything. I admire Judy as a designer, business woman, and a person. I have learned many things from her and continue to…. being a Certified Instructor and Certified Shop enhances my career and my business.
What is your favorite quilting technique and why?
I would have to say that I love to paper piece and have designed a few paper piecing patterns myself. In fact one in the collection that we are giving away is paper pieced, Spinning Wheels. I love it for the accuracy in the results that it gives. Also, it allows you to piece designs that you might not be able to do with traditional piecing methods. A close second is curved piecing.
How did you first get involved with Island Batik?
Well….. I have been using Island Batik fabrics for quite a while, but my first “official” design for Island Batik was launched 2015. It was my pattern “Who’s Got The Button?”. After that Island Batik and I met at Fall Quilt Market 2015 and they asked if I would like to come aboard as a designer. The timing was right and it has progressed from there.
What do you love most about Batik fabrics?
What is not to love?? Batiks are timeless, they don’t go in and out of style. They are not trendy, they mix and play well with other fabrics, they are versatile, and so much more. Each one has such variation in color and can give you a look that no other type of fabric can do. All quilters need to have batiks as part of their stash!!!
What do you love most about the Fresh Catch line and how has it inspired the projects you created?
Fresh catch is bright and bold! Anyone who follows me knows how much I love bright and bold fabric and to use these colors in projects is a delight. One of the colors that is prominent in this collection is orange and some people find Orange difficult to work with and I wanted to show them how they could use it. I think, I did orange justice… What do you think?
Do you have a favorite project that you’ve made using the fabrics and threads of Fresh Catch?
I love them all… That is a tough one. I suppose I would pick Fractal first as it is a great representation of the entire collection. Then I think I would pick Link Em’ Up because it is a very unique design using curves!!!
How did you first discover Aurifil threads?
I remember a friend of mine introducing them to me for piecing. She showed me that little spool and told me to give it a try. I was all in at that point I love Aurifil’s 50 weight for piecing and for quilting too!
Do you have a favorite color or weight?
The one that I use the absolute most of is 2600 Dove for piecing. However, I switch between that and 2311 Muslin. They are both neutrals and are great for any kind of quilting or piecing. But really you can give me any color and I can find something to do with it!!! So worth it!! Treat yourself right and get some Aurifil in your thread stash!
THE GIVEAWAY
To enter-to-win 1 Large Fresh Catch Thread Collection, one Fat Quarter Bundle of Fresh Catch fabrics from Island Batik, and one set of 6 new patterns from Jackie Kunkel & Canton Village Quilt Works 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 Wednesday, January 18! Winner will be randomly selected and announced here on Thursday, January 19. Good luck!
UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to our winner, Mary Okruhlik!!
ABOUT JACKIE
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