Do you have a bucket list? It’s always the right time to follow your dreams! That is what I have been blessed to do as an Island Batik Ambassador. The monthly challenges give me a chance to experiment with new tools, notions and fabric, which is a perfect description of my dream job.

Finding Inspiration

Aurifil generously sent me their Como Blue Color Builder thread collection, in my favorite shades of blue. From that starting point, I created a mini quilt to showcase those colors.

I used a paper pieced block from my Directions quilt as the focal point of my design.  My daughter dreams of visiting Italy, so I wanted to incorporate the phrase “Follow Your Dreams” and make this mini quilt into an inspirational banner. I decided to use the embroidery feature of my sewing machine to stitch the words into the quilt, and I added an extra layer of Hobbs 80/20 batting to give it more dimension.

As I explored the scenery around Como, Italy via the internet, I discovered a charming lakeside town with a cable car to take you to the mountaintop.

Follow Your Dreams

The idea of a funicular inspired a stairstep design. I was able to use several blue fabrics from Island Batik to create the lake, hillside and starry sky as you climb upward.

More decorative stitches with Schmetz needles embody the waves on the lake, the stairs taking you higher and the stars above.

Mixing the light, medium and dark shades of thread gives the quilting motifs an ombre effect and more depth to draw you in. The spark of an idea inspires you to research, plan your next steps, and find a way to follow your dreams, wherever they may lead.

You can find more quilting inspiration as you discover what the other Island Batik Ambassadors have done with their Aurifil Color Builder selections.

Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs
Megan Best ~ Bestquilter
Pamela Boatright ~ Pamelaquilts
Elizabeth DeCroos ~ Epida Studio
Jennifer Fulton ~ Inquiring Quilter

Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts
Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts
Jane Hauprich ~ Stitch By Stitch Custom Quilting
Reed Johnson ~ Blue Bear Quilts
Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs

Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
Denise Looney ~ For The Love Of Geese
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine
Anorina Morris – sameliasmum.com

Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion
Claudia Porter ~ Create with Claudia
Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads
Brianna Roberts ~ Sew Cute And Quirky
Michelle Roberts ~ Creative Blonde

Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail
Andi Stanfield ~ True Blue Quilts
Sandra Starley ~ Textile Time Travels
Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations
Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt