This year, three new members joined the Island Batik Ambassador team. One of them is the talented long arm quilter, teacher, designer, Certified Studio 180 Design Instructor and owner of Quilt Haven Threads, Gail Renna!

Gail was only 25 when she made her first ever quilt. It was right after she got married when she thought of making a quilt for their bed, so she took a Beginning Quilting class, and brought in a queen size Dresden Plate quilt kit to make! Two ladies were teaching this class and just smiled and taught her how to do it one square at a time, hand quilting it as she went.

Today, quilting is a business to Gail, although she tries to keep it enjoyable. It is also an art to her, and never just a task to get done. She loves teaching others to quilt, from beginning to the final quilting of their project and getting that binding and label on.

Prism quilt, made with the fabric from Island Batik Twilight Chic collection, designed for Deb Tucker by Kathy Engle, and Studio 180 Design tools.

When it comes to style, Gail has always been very traditional, but she really likes some of the new modern quilting. She picks colors for her projects starting with a fabric she loves, and trying to pull colors from it. Sometimes she uses the original fabric and sometimes it’s just a guide for her.

Table runner, made for the 2020 Island Batik Ambassador January challenge, Let’s Get Scrappy. Gail used the fabric from Island Batik Catching Dreams, designed for Kari Nichols of Mountainpeek Creations by Kathy Engle, thread by Aurifil, Studio 180 Design tools and a needle by Schmetz. To read more about the quilt, please visit: https://quilthaventhreads.wordpress.com/2020/01/16/lets-get-scrappy.

As a Certified Instructor, Gail loves the amazing Studio 180 Design tools, and uses them in almost everything she does! She also enjoys machine appliqué and free motion quilting both on the sewing machine and on her long arm.

Please, follow Gail on social media for inspiration, tutorials and gorgeous projects!

Facebook: Quilt Haven Threads
Instagram: @quilthaventhreads
Blog: https://quilthaventhreads.wordpress.com
Island Batik page: 2020 Island Batik Ambassadors