It’s been so hard keeping this secret over the last year! I’ve been working with Island Batik to introduce a fabric collection, and at Quilt Market last month, I got my wish!
Now, this isn’t fabric that I designed, not yet anyway. It’s what’s known as a Signature Collection, which means that their in-house designer Kathy Engle did all the heavy lifting in terms of design & color, and my role was to interpret the collection into a fabulous array of quilts. I had about 15 different collections to choose from, and I picked the one that I thought represented my aesthetic most.
Sakura – which means Cherry Blossom – is a collection of 20 different batik prints in pink, purple, aqua, green, and gold. As soon as I saw the lovely colors in this collection, I knew that this was the one I wanted to play with most.
I have been a lover of Asian-inspired art for as long as I can remember, and batiks are especially lovely to work with. I’ve never been to Japan myself, though I’d love to go, and so I came up with a concept where we could all go on an adventure together to explore the country and a bit of its culture while we learn some techniques and make some great quilts.
This little adventure starts with a block-of-the-month quilt called Hanami, which means “cherry blossom viewing.”
There’s also a cute little 28-page passport booklet to go along with the quilt, and you get a chance to have your passport “stamped” as you go.
The BOM quilt finishes at 58″ x 58″ and is presented in a 9-month program that is available and open to quilt shops everywhere. I’ll be running this BOM in my public studio later this fall, as well as doing it as an auto-ship program here on the website. Stay tuned for more information on how you can participate!
There are also 8 additional quilt patterns that I’ll be introducing you to over the coming weeks, just to give you a little more detail.
The other exciting thing that happened is that I was selected to introduce a thread box with Aurifil based on this collection. I am in love with the threads that I chose for this collection. Even if you don’t have the fabrics, this assortment of threads is just stunning. You can pre-order a thread box from me here.
Would you like to win a fat quarter collection of Sakura? Just leave a comment below and tell me what you would make from my collection! You can enter until June 15th at 11:59pm CST.
And the winner of the fat quarter collection is:
Brian Foster! Congratulations, you lucky duck!
I would start an “X and Plus” quilt. Love the colors in the collection!
I just love batiks, I just finished a quilt I designed myself several years ago, all done in different batiks!!! I call it flower power and peace.
Congratulations! These look lovely, i’d make a summer picnic quilt with them
So excited for you!!! I just returned from Door County, WI and it’s cherry blossom time there. This would make a beautiful table topper.
My taste in color is similar to yours!! I have been wanting to do a wedding ring quilt and this would be fun to play with. I love your thread colors too!
I have wanted to make a Dear Jane quilt ever since I got EQ7, and discovered the CD that allows mapping the sizes and fabrics I want. Sakura would be a glorious way to make it unique and my own.
Those fabrics look absolutely delicious. I want some!
I love Ebony Love new Sakura Collection of Batik fabric and thread! I can’t wait to make an Asian inspired quilt from this collection!
I’d make a seahorse/beachy quilt! The color collection is fabulous!
They certainly are beautiful, bright and cheerful colors. I could easily use them in quilts for my three granddaughters.
I’d probably make a kaleidoscope quilt, very scrappy, with these fabrics. Or maybe play with Drunkards Path variations. The colors feel more tropical than oriental to me, but that may be the batiks.
I look at this collection of fabrics and I see my new “favorite” quilt. Either a variation on a log cabin quilt, or something big bold blocks. Great colors!
Congratulations! love the new fabric line and thread box. Can’t wait for the new
block-of-the-month.
Very pretty. So thankful you showed us the beautiful quilt so it’s not a mystery! The thread is gorgeous. I just showed my Hampshire Holiday in a local quilt show. I did not have it judged but got many compliments. Thanks for your talent sharing, Ebony.
Such beautiful colors! I will make a light weight, long jacket. Perfect for a warm Florida climate. Haven’t planned design yet – but know it will be scrumptious!