HMQS 2013 Sew Batik Quilt Challenge

I've always thought Batik fabric is beautiful, but when I worked in the Handi Quilter education department we often had ladies call in with nightmarish experiences trying to quilt their batik quilts.  Getting good tension seemed to be a problem. With that in mind, I put off using batik fabric in quilts.

However, this past winter I decided to try out batik fabric. I signed up for the HMQS 2013 Sew Batik Quilt Challenge.

A few weeks after delivering Miss Mia and the April 8th deadline only weeks away, I decided I needed to get down to business.  Thanks to a wonderful mother-in-law and friend who came to watch and hold Miss Mia while I quilted, I was able to finish this challenge quilt and the Riley Blake Challenge Quilt.

  I was given the blue, brown, and two multi-colored cream/bluish batik fabrics.I added the center cream fabric and dark border fabric, which were both Sew Batik gradient fabrics I had purchased a couple of years ago at a show.

 I had very little problems with tension while quilting, but strangely I did have some issues while piecing the quilt.

All in all, I enjoyed creating this quilt and trying out batiks.

I don't expect to win anything, but I can't wait to get the quilt back and showcase it in my own home.  I think it turned out great!

And I fell in love with the rich colors of the backing/binding fabric I ordered from Sew Batik!