Day 4 of Island Batik Week has us dreaming of Spring!! Goodness these colors are like a mini vacation within our dreary Winter days. Huge thanks to Island Batik for being so lovely — we absolutely adore working with them and have so much respect for its designers. As a reminder, we’re featuring one designer every day this week and each post will offer a fabric + thread giveaway, so make sure to come back daily to learn more and to enter-to-win some gorgeous prizes! All giveaways are open until March 2, so if you’re just joining us, be sure to check out posts from earlier this week for your chance to win!
To learn about Island Batik and the batik process, please visit their website. For a peek at the full range of Spring/Summer 2017 releases, in-stores now, click here or on the image below to browse the catalog.
ISLAND BATIK WEEK SCHEDULE
February 19 – Jackie Kunkel (Jackie’s post — Island Batik’s post)
February 20 – Nan Baker (Nan’s post — Island Batik’s post)
February 21 – Tammy Silvers (Tammy’s Blog – Island Batik’s post)
February 22 – Ebony Love (Ebony’s Blog – Island Batik’s post)
February 23 – Kari Nichols (Kari’s Website)
The bright and cheerful colors of Southern Blooms partnered with the sweet butterflies and florals transports us right to the South on a perfect Spring day. Designed by Kathy Engle for Ebony Love of LoveBug Studios, Southern Blooms is an ecletic mix of blues, greens, pinks, purples, reds, yellows, and oranges. It’s true visual delight, brought to life by Ebony’s spectacular patterns.
As with her first collection, Sakura, Ebony has developed a ‘passport’ program for her A Garden for All Seasons BOM. The program runs for 8 months and includes traditional piecing patterns. The passport is there to guide participants through the tour of the quilts in the collection as they work on the block of the month project. Passports can be obtained through local quilt shops, and every time a BOM block or quilt is completed, participants get a passport stamp. Such fun!!
Ebony curated a gorgeous collection of 12 Large spools of 50wt thread — the box is a soft rainbow of color, perfect for projects featuring the Southern Bloom fabrics, but also as a wonderful stash builder!
THREAD COLLECTION DETAILS
Southern Blooms
12 Large Spools, 50wt (1422yds/spool), 100% Aurifil Cotton
1133 – 1148 – 1243 – 2145 – 2220 – 2510
2730 – 2805 – 2886 – 4030 – 4129 – 5002
To view this info on our website, click the image above. For purchasing, please contact your local Aurifil Dealer.
THE INTERVIEW
What first drew you to the world of sewing and quilting?
One of my earliest memories of sewing is during a home economics class. We got to choose our own pattern, and I decided to make a giant dinosaur. He took a LOT of fiberfill! It’s funny to think back on it now; it’s the earliest sign of me taking on ambitious sewing projects!
Who or what has been your greatest creative inspiration?
Math and symmetry continues to inspire me every day. I studied engineering in college and I think I look for ways to apply that knowledge to my quilting wherever I can.
Tell us about Southern Blooms. What inspired the designs?
When I worked with Sakura last year, I had this larger vision of using the fabric collections to explore places around our planet, so I immediately knew that I’d be exploring someplace new with this collection. Of course, when you see the giant bluebonnet flowers that center this collection, I knew that Texas and the southern states would form the story for this collection.
Do you have a favorite project or projects made with the collection?
I think the BOM, A Garden for All Seasons, is my favorite this time around. It’s actually the result of some pretty severe editing, after a couple of the blocks were particularly troublesome. I was sitting there with my seam ripper, thinking, “Who is ever going to want to make this quilt?” and I started redesigning right then. It caused my entire collection to be late, but it resulted in a MUCH better quilt and I think a more fun project.
When did you first discover Aurifil threads and what do you love most about them?
There’s something about Aurifil threads that just makes me feel like my projects are stepped up a notch. Ever since I’ve been using these threads in my piecing and quilting, I know that my piecing is more accurate and I have less trouble. I love my 50wt full-collection suitcase; it means I always have the right color for every project at my fingertips.
How did you go about selecting colors for Southern Blooms and what excites you most about releasing the collection to the world?
This collection was a little trickier than my last collection. With 30 fabrics, I had to really look at threads that would work for more than one fabric. I took swatches of each fabric and separated them into color groups, and then chose threads that complimented each group well. I think if you look at the threads against the fabric, you can really see the colors that dominate. It’s also very different from what I would naturally choose.
THE GIVEAWAY
To enter-to-win 1 Large Southern Blooms Thread Collection, one Fat Quarter Bundle of Southern Blooms fabrics from Island Batik, and one set of patterns by Ebony Love of LoveBug Studios, 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 Friday, March 2! Winner will be randomly selected and announced here on Monday, March 5. Good luck!
ABOUT EBONY
Website — Blog — Facebook — Pinterest — YouTube — Twitter — Instagram
Award-winning author and quilter Ebony Love is fond of blindingly-bright prints and takes a contemporary approach to traditional designs. She’s recognized as one of the leading experts in fabric die-cutting techniques, and picked up long arm quilting to get unburied from all the quilt tops she was finishing as a result.
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.
** Images courtesy of Island Batik and Ebony Love **
Such wonderful and bright colors perfect for Spring.
I would like to visit the Biltmore Estate in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, NC.
I’ve never been the the southern U.S. so I would love to tour the whole area.
I love the bright, warm colors.
I would like to go to Cherokee, NC. I’ve been there before and it’s so pretty. These are beautiful projects, fabrics and threads. Have a good day! angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom
I’d like to see the Outer Banks in North Carolina & then see Charleston, South Carolina
Very nice projects using Island Batiks!
Love the colors and the prints in this collection. I’d love to be able to see these colors in the flowers of the smoky mountains.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I would really love to visit the southwest–Arizona and New Mexico. The photos I’ve seen are breathtaking. I’d love to see it in person.
I love Savannah – such a gorgeous artsie place and Charleston!!!
I have never been to Kentucky, my mother’s family is from there & I would love to see it. My mom always said it was beautiful & I would love to see for myself.
Love the blues & oranges of this collection- they look so happy together! You can’t get much further south than where I live in Mississippi, except Florida & I have always wanted to visit the Keyes!
Beautiful colors!!!
Would love to experience New Orleans!
Lots of places I’d like to see in the southern US because I’ve never been, but I think I’d choose New Orleans first.
New Orleans!
Take me to Texas … I want to see it all!
Love these fabrics … a nice spring perk up during a winter thaw, temporary as it may be.
Thank you for providing us with this giveaway opportunity …. xxxxxfingersxxxxx
Such beautiful colors! I’d love to visit New Orleans someday!
I’ve lived in South Carolina North Carolina New Mexico and currently Southern Arizona seen lots of things on my travels I would love to go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans
I would love to go to Houston for the quilt show. But any of the southern states would be interesting. Thanks for the opportunity to win some of these beautiful fabrics, patterns and thread.
I’d like to visit the Great Smoky Mountains.
I would love to visit Kentucky!
I want to go to New Orleans and San Antonio ! Thank you .
Love the colors! I would love to go back to Ashville, NC.
I would like to go back to Savannah, need more time to explore. Very pretty thread and fabric Thanks
Right now I would like to be in Harlingen TX. My daughter is a flight attendant and she called me an hour ago and said she was sick in a hotel there and her flight home wasn’t until tomorrow. She can’t find any thing there for nausea.
So that is where I’d like to visit right now.
Love your sense of color, Ebony!!!
Another fabulous batch of fabrics. Thanks for the chance to win. I would like to visit New Orleans, Louisiana. The culture seems like it would be amazing.
I would like to visit South Padre Island, TX. I love beaches!
Love these colors
Would love to visit the life-size Noah’s Ark> Ark Encounter located in Williamstown, Kentucky.Thank You for sharing a beautiful Giveaway!
The grand canyon. . happyness04431@yahoo.com
I live in Alabama (and I LOVE your Alabama spiral pillow!!), so I’ve seen all of the southern states. I love the Smoky Mountains and am always up for a trip there. I also would like to visit more of Texas and Louisiana. Great collection of threads and fabrics!
Right now I would love to visit anywhere warm after this week of freezing rain, sleet, below freezing temperatures. Then it starts over again.
such nice colors! I want them all for my fabric collection
I too am a fan of “blindingly bright” and beautiful prints. These colors make my mouth water! I hope I win them! Thanks for the giveaway.
I’d like to visit Louisana
Sorry…forgot to say I would like to visit Florida to see my daughter! Love that place!
My favorite colors are warm and bright, what’s not to love about this glorious collection!
I would like to visit the Lorreto chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 🙂
wonderful fabrics — would love to use them in a new quilt for my sewing room wall
Gorgeous fabric colors, especially the blues. I love the deepest blue best. And the thread values are perfect! I would love to make the Tennessee Waltz table runner!
I would love to visit antique shops. I love finding old quilts, and fabrics.
I would love to visit North Carolina. I have family that lives there and I have never been.
I would love to visit New Orleans, but not during Mardi Gras! I have heard so much about it and it sound fun.
I would love to visit New Orleans! Thanks for the chance to win.
I would like to visit New Orleans. I drove though there coming from the West Coast many years ago and it just seemed to have a lot of old charm to it.
I’d like to visit my daughter & family in Pflugerville TX! I’d make her something bright & happy with these fabrics!
I would love to visit New Orleans. I really want to see the French Quarters and taste all the foods.
The Grand Canyon. I think I visited when I was a small child, but don’t really remember it. I would love to go there now, so I can appreciate the beauty.
I would love to go to Baton Rouge, LA. Louisiana is the only southern state I have not visited. Love the colors in this grouping of fabric and threads. Thanks for this great giveaway.
I have covered most if not all of the southern USA but I would pay closer attention to the Carolinas.
I would like to visit Kentucky.
I would love to go to New Orleans.
I would love to go to Maine!
I have enjoyed Ebony’s youtube videos and love her color selection!
I’d love to visit the Biltmore!
I’d like to revisit New Orleans. I had a great time the first time I went.
I’d like to visit the Carolinas coast. Have visited inland & love it!
I would love to go to New Orleans again. I haven’t been since 1998, and I really want to see how they are bouncing back from Hurricane Katrina. Such a vibrant city!
New Orleans has the best food ever, I’d love to gain weight there.
I would love to go to the Everglades in Florida.
I would like to visit Savannah, Georgia.
I want to visit Burlington, NC….my Daughter lives just outside of therew!! Miss her terribly :/ Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way! These fabrics are Gorgeous!!
I already live in the southern US, and I love where I live, so I think I’d like to stay right here in East Tennessee, and visit more of the beautiful places I’ve not seen yet! Thanks so much for the chance to win this beautiful packages. I really like the colors, and the pattern, ‘Tennessee Waltz’, sounds like I need it. =)
I’d love to tour New Mexico!
I would like to visit South Carolina and just check out the state.
I would like to visit/explore the SE Atlantic coast and Key West.
The Carolinas or Texas…I absolutely love her fabrics! So bold, colorful and I love the flowers and butterflies!!!
I would love to visit Grand Canyon!
Frankly, I’ve never been to the South and would be open to seeing as much as I can. I wouldn’t even know where to start, so I’m open to suggestions.
Georgia, all over the state.
I’d love to visit Theodore/Mobile Alabama and Bellengrath Gardens when the azaleas are in bloom.
Love the bright colors. I haven’t been to Kentucky in a long time, would love to visit that state again.
I would love to tour all of the southern US, but I would particularly like to go to New Orleans – for the culture and the food. Thanks!
I would love to visit Nashville. I was raised on country music and need to visit the Opry in honor of my mother
I’ve always lived in the South, but I haven’t been to Key West yet. So that is where I would like to visit. Your fabrics are beautiful, Ebony.
I have always wanted to go to San Francisco. A trip to Arizona would be nice after winter in Canada.
My spirit calls me to New Orleans Louisiana…can never get enough and always want to go back!
I’m not sure I really have a preference of anyplace in particular that I’d like to visit in the Southern US. Maybe the great Southern city of Savannah, GA. Lots of ghosts, according to what I’ve read. I haven’t really been toa lot of places down South, but right now I’m sure I’d love the weather!!! It’s in the 30’s here today and I’m cold!!! 🙂
I would love to visit Arizona or Texas.
I’d like to visit New Orleans and explore the various Jazz venues. Love the fabric collection with the butterflies and blooms in such vivid colors. The thread accents it beautifully.
What wonderful bright colors, & all the quilts are awesome! I would love to visit Texas!
I would love to visit Now Orleans. Love this collection!
Beautiful designs and Beautiful colors! Right now I’d love to visit North and South Carolina’s – hoping to move there some day! Thanks for the chance to win 🙂
California 🙂
Love the bright cheery colours!!
I would like to visit the Florida Keys and all the lighthouses along the coasts of the southern states.
I always like to visit New Orleans because my son lives there. There are also a couple state parks in Georgia and Florida that I want to travel to. I read about them on quilting blogs!
Would love to visit Texas
I would like to visit the Outer Banks and the NC mountains.
I’d love to visit my family in Texas! I love this collection!!
I would like to visit Texas.
I would like to visit New Orleans.
Love those bright colors–would be fun to visit the southern states–Tennessee, Kentucky (Paducah)
barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)
I’d love to visit all of the south, I’ve never been
Not a big fan of the southern States, guess I would take my kids to Disney World, or if you call the Carolina’s southern States, I would like to visit them.
I’m more of a Florida girl – though Hawaii is my favorite – and it is the most southern state – so does that count?!?!?
Louisiana. It’s one of the few states I have never visited.
I would visit Texas as that it where all my extended family live. Of course during a dream trip I would visit some of the other states I have I yet to see.
I love the bright colors! Just my style!
Your colors are exquisite. I love them all. They make me smile and a quilt made with them will light up my home with joy. The Outer Banks is on my bucket list.
I go back to Mississippi to visit family and come back speaking with a southern accent. Last time I gained a few pounds because the food is great. Thanks for sharing your inspiration
The Gulf Coast.
I would like to visit South Carolina.
Georgia or Florida’s Sandibel island