Tool Craze Blog Hop and Giveaway!

In Ambassadors, Blog Hop, Challenges, Fabric Collections, Giveaways, Inspiration, Island Batik Updates, New Fabric Features, Programs, Projects, Promotions + Giveaways

Posted Apr 28, 2023

We’re thrilled to announce the start of the Tool Craze Blog Hop, a month-long event that celebrates the love of quilting and the use of tools to create beautiful, unique designs. We’ve teamed up with our friends at Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Design, who have generously provided the 25 participating Island Batik Ambassadors with their tools. The challenge is to incorporate these tools and any coordinating Studio 180 Design‘s Technique Sheets into their quilts, using the new Island Batik collections. We can’t wait to see the amazing and creative designs that come out of this project!

Not only will the Tool Craze Blog Hop be a feast for the eyes, but there will also be three giveaways and six prizes up for grabs! These include bundles of new Island Batik collections, which will be featured during the hop.

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the Tool Craze Blog Hop and the joy of quilting! We encourage everyone to follow along with the Blog Hop and discover Studio 180 Design tools, new techniques, tips, and inspiration for your own quilting projects. Stay tuned for updates and exciting developments throughout the month-long event. Let’s get sewing!

If you’re new to Island Batik Ambassador Blog Hops, every Friday we post round-ups of the quilts featured during that week and announce new giveaway bundles of the Island Batik collections, highlighted during the hop. Be sure to visit all the Ambassadors’ blogs to read more about the Studio 180 Design‘s tools they used, discover their inspiring creations, read the stories behind each project and participate in their bonus giveaways!

The full list of Ambassadors’ names, collections they will be using in their projects, and their post dates are as follows:

WEEK 1

May 1

Susan Deshensky, Lady Blue Quilts

Randi Jones, Randi’s Roost

May 2

Elita Sharpe, Busy Needle Quilting

Mania Hatziioannidi, Mania for Quilts

May 3

Brittany Fisher, Bobbin with Brittany

Pamela Boatright, Pamela Quilts

May 4

Connie Kauffman, Kauffman Designs

Denise Looney, For the Love of Geese

May 5

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 1 and Giveaway

WEEK 2

May 8

Reed Johnson, Blue Bear Quilts

Sandra Starley, Textile Time Travels

May 9

Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail

Lana Russel, Lana Quilts

May 10

Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood

Claudia Porter, Create with Claudia

Anorina Morris, Samelia’s Mum

May 11

Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs

Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations

May 12

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 2 and Giveaway

WEEK 3

May 15

Victoria Johnson, Forever Quilting for You

Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights

Maryellen McAuliffe, Mary Mack Made Mine

May 16

Renee Atkinson, Pink Tulip Quilting

Sarah Pitcher, Pitcher’s Boutique

May 17

Suzy Webster, Websterquilt

Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts

Lisa Pickering, Lisa’s Quilting Passion

May 18

End of Blog Hop + Final Round Up

We will begin sharing the quilts next week, but the first giveaway starts today! To celebrate the kick-off of the Tool Craze Blog Hop, we are giving away a Fat Quarter bundle of the complete Island Batik collections by Kathy Engle – Let It Snow or Make a Wish!

To enter for your chance to win one of the two prizes above, follow the simple Rafflecopter prompts below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway ends on May, 5 at 11:59 pm PST. Two random winners will be notified by email on May, 6 and announced on our Facebook page on May, 9. Please check your spam folders! If the winners do not respond within the first two days after being notified, two new random winners will be chosen and notified.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see all the striking quilts that we will start sharing next week!

There Are 51 Comments

I love Deb Tucker’s tools!

I am usually looking for a color grouping when designing quilts, but I have found as long as the colors are the same value, often times I can get away with an array of color which is how I like to design anyway!

I consider the purpose, like what I want to make and who I’m making it for when selecting fabrics and patterns.

For patterns, I look at the sizes included as well as the level of expertise needed. For fabrics, I look mainly at colors to make sure it will work with the pattern as well as the other fabrics i have picked out.

OH MAN. tHE COMBINATION OF IB AND DT!! AWESOME . i CANNOT WAIT!!

I like to have a variety of coordinated fabrics to choose from.

When I choose a pattern I first consider the purpose for the quilt and the time I would need to complete it.

I am moved by fabric colors and designs when I start a project and usually adapt a pattern to compliment the fabric! Sometimes a pattern really gets to me though and I look for fabric to work in it!

I look at colors of fabric that the receiver likes and how easy the patterns are to make with the rulers I own.

Fabrics just have to make me feel happy and with patterns it depends what mood I’m in. Sometimes I want a quick and easy finish but sometimes I need a challenge

I always consider what the quilt will be used for, pattern design difficulty AND I have to like it to want to work on it. As far as fabrics, of course I consider color but almost more important than that is value and contrast. That “Let it Snow” bundle is right up my alley!

Depending on whom I’m making it for, the color way and the design.

I usually have a color scheme in mind when planning a quilt. Then I look for a pattern that I think will look good in that scheme.

I really love scrappy so the more fabrics I can use, the better I like it. As long as the colors look good together I will love whatever the pattern is I choose. Thank you for the chance.

I choose patterns that appeal to my taste and also based on size and who/what the quilt will be for. Sometimes I choose colors based on how the sample quilt turned out, sometimes I choose a fabric from my stash and build from that.

It’s usually the color first, and the design next. Of course, some pattern designers are easier for me to follow. We all learn differently.

This is going to be so much fun. My projects? It depends, sometimes it’s a great pattern and I find great fabric for it, other times it’s because I HAVE to use the fabric. The collections are so pretty this time.

When choosing fabrics and patterns, I think about who this project will be for and how it will be used. I think about their decor and color schemes. Usually, my pattern choices aren’t too reliant on cutting lots of small pieces. I like the look of showing off the fabric without cutting into a zillion pieces!

I look for colors I love and shades of color. Mostly it has to do with falling in love with the fabric. I am happy to play in the rainbow!

Try to expand on the colors Ihave or try something new

I choice based on who the quilt is for. I like to try new patterns and like bright happy colora

I have a wide assortment of Studio 180 tools. I’m looking forward to seeing what every one has made with them. The fabric are luscious.

Usually, color first, then pattern size, style, etc.

I love both Island Batiks and Deb Tucker.

I look for easy to assemble units that combine to make a striking design. color will capture my eye, but I rarely make a look alike. I want my own stamp on projects.

I consider the colors and patterns, how well I like them and they go together.

I am usually thinking of the quilt project recipient when I select fabrics and patterns. Color and texture are important to me.

It depends who the quilt is for that determines what fabrics I choose and which pattern. Sometimes I want something quick and easy. But I also have several challenging projects going when I want to get lost in the process.

There really is no magic trick to choosing fabric and patterns — it is just what looks good to me then and what I feel like! Kind of like choosing what book to read. Of course, I’ve realized I should *make* those things right away, because 10 years later when it is still a UFO I’ve gotten tired of it it feels a bit sad. 😉

For selecting fabrics, I usually start with a theme such as Christmas or focus fabric to pull from. I like to select a variety of prints in the same colorway. For patterns, I love looking at all kinds of inspiration especially online. Because I have quilted for so long, I can usually determine how to make units based on a visual which is what I just did with an ocean waves quilt. I like to adapt patterns and add different borders or techniques to the quilt such as applique.

I look forward to this blog hoo each year! I love seeing what the ambassadors create because they inspire me to try new techniques or tools.

I pick a pattern first and then start pulling colors and fabrics out of my stash. A little mixing and matching and pretty soon I’m ready to go!

I love all of Studio 180 tools by Deb Tucker and Island Batiks fabrics, As A new Quilter I love the colors and designs.

Who is it for, what is the occasion, how is it going to be used.

Like most of my answers, “It depends”. Sometimes I am choosing fabric and a pattern for a specific person, so I’m looking for colors, themes, and a pattern I think might appeal to the person for whom I am making the quilt. Other times I’ll see a fabric line and it will spark a memory or make me think of someone I love or miss, and I’ll immediately want to make a quilt to keep that feeling close. Other times, it’s just all about the color, or the interplay of colors.

first I consider the pattern f or the person/reason. than I consider the fabric-is it of good quality for this person/reason. than I consider time that it needs to be made.

I usually pick a pattern and consider who the quilt is for and the occasion

I prefer groupings that have a somewhat even variety of lights/mediums/darks. I also like designs on the fabric that can appeal to many people – most batiks do that.

Who I’m making it for and why. What their color scheme is / their favorite color. What I have on hand to start with.
Pattern is determined by what size I need to make it.

I consider the recipient and/or the occasion.

Colors, pattern, specific person quilt will go to

What comes first, the pattern or the fabric. Sometimes that special fabric attracts your attention to search for the right pattern.

The person I’m making the quilt for helps me decide on the pattern, colours and fabrics.

i choose by what strikes my fancy that day OR whatever the dear hubby decides he likes. no very picky

I sometimes choose a pattern 1st or sometimes choose a focus fabric first

I chose the pattern and the fabrics to match the occasion and the recipient. I do always purchase high quality quilt cottons and this is why batiks are a favorite. Currently if I am sewing “just because” I am choosing bright clear colors as this palette always lifts my spirit.

I love these fresh new blues!

pattern, color who it is being made for

Just love Island batik fabrics

I first consider the pattern – will I love it in 20 years? Once I decide on a pattern I search for fabrics that will make me happy. In thinking about this question I realize that I rarely choose my favorite color scheme for some reason. I do consider the scale of the print in relation to the block or piece size – no point in having beautiful fabric not get showcased! Lovely fabric collections this time.

When considering fabrics, along with choosing colors which I think work well together, I like to use a variety of backgrounds in the fabrics, like a plaid, a stripe, a polka dot, etc. etc. And patterns, I go with what I am immediately attracted to. A pattern that says to me, “Wow, I’ve got to make that!”

I give most of my quilts away, so I consider the person’s interest and favorite colors when selecting their fabric.

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Tool Craze Blog Hop and Giveaway!

WEEK 2

WEEK 3