July Unboxing!

Island Batik Ambassadors have been anxiously awaiting for their boxes to arrive, and wondering what treasures might be inside. Certainly, there are lots of goodies to finish the challenges for August through December 2023. Sponsors of the July boxes are: Island Batik, AccuQuilt, Aurifil, Hobbs Batting and By Annie.

Aurifil donated five different threads: 12 wt. Lana Wool Blend (50% acrylic/50% wool); Cotton Floss - 6 strand; Monofilament; MT 280 - 80 wt.; 50 wt thread.

By Annie donated everything to make a bag. The Ambassadors chose the pattern they wanted to make; I chose the "Snapshot". We received a zipper, Soft and Stabile, Fusible Interfacing, D-rings, Widemouth Sliders, Swivel Hooks, Magnets, Fold-Over Elastic and Black Polypro Strapping. What's great about the By Annie patterns is that many of them have a video to follow along with the pattern. So for those of us who are bag pattern challenged, having a video is wonderful!

Accu-Quilt supplied a North Carolina Star. The block will finish at 12". AccuQuilt also has instructions on how to put the block together and alternative blocks that pair with the North Carolina Star.

Of course, there is always the surprise package from Island Batik too. I do have an idea of what's inside, but you will have to wait a few months to see!

What's a quilt without good, quality batting? Hobbs Quilt Batting generously provided four different types of batting! The first is Hobbs Tuscany Collection, which is a cotton wool blend. I have been wanting to try this batting, which provides a nice drape and is soft and fluffy! The second batting is Hobb's Heirloom Premium Wool Batting and the third batting is Hobb's Heirloom Natural Batting with Scrim Binder. Finally, the fourth batting is Thermore, an Ultra-Thin non-bearding batting. This is a low loft batting which was originally manufactured for use in clothing; it is 100% polyester. I've used this batting previously in two quilt jackets that I made.

Island Batik provided a wonderful selection of pre-cuts, bundles and yardage. The first is Opulent Orange, a 2-1/2" strip set. Another 2-1/2" strip set is Chromatic. Bodacious Black is a forty-two piece package of 10" squares. The colors are very elegant, featuring blacks, grays, white and a bluish gray.

Next up is a half-yard bundle: Lagoon, Leaf Vine-Nasturtium, Green Solid, Large Netting - Ivy, Round Petal Floral - Cantaloupe, Large Netting - Pineneedle, Cobalt Solid, Lime Green Solid, Celery, Yellow Solid, Marmalade and Seedling.

Yardage also included: (Mini-Leaves) Neutral Ghost; Chalk; (Brilliant Blues) Midnight Blue (Floral Herb) Brown Russet and Flour.

I received a bundle called "Earthly Greens" by Kathy Engle from one of the Spring '23 Collections. This collection is shipping to shops in September.

The names of the fabrics are:

Mini Leaves: green turtle, green grass, neutral ghost, green ivy;

Floral Herb: brown russet, green grass;

Paisley Dot: green ivy, multi red brown, green grass,

Dandelion Petals: green celery, green ivy, neutral ghost

Flower with Leaves: brown russet, green celery

Rosemary: brown jute, multi red brown yellow

Herb Bush; green Ivy

Leaves (Mint Basil); brown russet, green turtle and green grass

Thanks again to all of the sponsors; I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with during the rest of the year!