New York Beauty Quilt with Island Batiks
When I did my Island Batik Ambassador unboxing video back in January there was a surprise bundle of fabric. As soon as the cameras were turned off I opened up that package and inside was a gorgeous stack of 20 fat quarters from the new line designed by Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Designs! For this fabric the challenge was to make a New York Beauty quilt. Because I’ve never made one before I was a bit nervous, but went at the challenge head on.
Here’s the story of my quilt that I call “Joshua Tree in the 1920s”. When I first saw the fabric, it reminded me of Joshua Tree National Park. It’s full of soft earth tones and organic patterns. Combined with the New York Beauty block, it took me back to that beautiful desert. Too bad I live on the opposite side of the country or I would have taken a road trip to get some photos.
Disclosure: Items used in this post were generously provided by Island Batik, Hobbs Batting, Aurifil Thread and Schmetz Needles.
The Fabric
“Tranquility” designed by Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Designs is a collection various earthy tones. The 20 fabrics range from cream to dark burgundy with all sorts of organic patterns. To really show off the collection, I used Island Batik’s “Meringue” from their Foundations – Neutrals fabric line.
It was really fun playing with those organic fabrics and the angular New York Beauty block. To me, that block just screams art deco. I spent hours on Electric Quilt 8 trying to come up with my layout. That is how my quilt was born.
The sharp spikes reminded me of the spines of the various cacti in the desert and the earthy browns and mauves in the fabric collection reminded me of the landscape.
The Quilt Block
Having never made a New York Beauty block I did plenty of searching in my quilt books and the internet. Ultimately, I went with a pattern that was designed by Theresa Down Under. She sells this block pattern in her Etsy shop. It went together much easier than I thought it would although I have to say I used a lot of pins!
The Quilting
For some of my special quilts I like to have them professionally longarm quilted. This was beautifully quilted by Melinda Keppler of Scottie Belle Designs.
Other Supplies Used
In addition to the beautiful fabrics I used Hobbs Poly-Down Premium Polyester batting, the light tan from Aurifil Thread‘s Pangolin Color Builder and Schmetz Needles. Thank you to these companies for the continued support of the Island Batik Ambassador program.
My New York Beauty Quilt
I have to say…I’m so pleased with my quilt. “Joshua Tree in the 1920’s” proudly hangs in my living room. The colors go well with my décor and it fits the are where I hang it perfectly. I’m also not nearly as nervous about the quilt block as I used to me. I think I’ll be making another New York Beauty quilt in the future.
Bonus Project – How to Decorate a Baseball Cap with Mini Quilt Blocks
Because I had fabric left over I decided to have some fun and use it to make some mini quilt blocks. I used them to adorn a baseball cap. Learn how to make this fun project in my video tutorial. I’m kind of in love with it!
63 Comments
Andrea Devier
June 20, 2022 at 9:05 AMI can’t wait to watch the video on your hat project – how fun!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 20, 2022 at 9:11 AMThanks! I hope you make a hat too. They are fun to make!
Lori Smanski
June 20, 2022 at 9:09 AMWell I dont think I can pick “one” fabric from this line. They are all so gorgeous. But my eye does keep going back to the multicolor pebbles. Your quilt is gorgeous. I love all the motion and show casing of the fabrics. Thanks for sharing and inspiring. I have been reluctant to try this pattern. Now I really need to give it a go.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 20, 2022 at 9:14 AMI couldn’t pick a favorite either! They are all so pretty. Thanks for stopping by and I appreciate the kind comments. That pattern by Teresa Down Under was easy for me to use plus she has a video and blog post tutorial to help.
Cindy Shelley
June 20, 2022 at 9:55 AMI love this tranquility line. I can’t pick one fabric as they all are gorgeous and compliment each other so well. Beautiful quilt.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 20, 2022 at 10:16 AMThank you so much Cindy. I agree…it’s hard to pick a favorite!
Becky Turner
June 20, 2022 at 9:32 AMIts hard to tell without touching and feeling but I think I like the dark blue one with the lighter blue lines that remind me of rain drops…
Anita Kendall
June 20, 2022 at 9:52 AMThose fabrics are gorgeous. I think I like the one in the very front that looks like water droplets the best, but I think if I spent more time I would find a reason each one is my favorite!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 20, 2022 at 10:15 AMThanks. They really are. They immediately reminded me of the desert! Such nice earthy tones.
Beth T.
June 20, 2022 at 10:44 AMThis is a gorgeous line! I couldn’t really choose a favorite, but I think I would (will??) use the stone color with the dark dot-like marks, the brown the the vertical lines that looks almost like wood grain, and the light blue-green with the water droplets. I guess it’s a sure sign of good design when it’s impossible to pick even at a glance online, right? I can’t leave without saying how lovely your quilt is. I spent a lot of time in the “Inland Empire” and your quilt has a desert vibe, for sure.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 21, 2022 at 7:26 AMThanks so much. I’m glad you liked the quilt and I agree it’s almost too hard to pick a favorite!
Sandy Allen
June 20, 2022 at 1:35 PMI love the darker teal colored fabrics, especially the one that looks like it has pebbles or stones on it.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 21, 2022 at 7:25 AMOoh those are pretty.
KJ
June 20, 2022 at 1:51 PMBeautiful quilt.
Sharon M Aurora
June 20, 2022 at 2:53 PMThe colors were well placed for this design. I think my favorite is the green pebbly fabric.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 21, 2022 at 7:21 AMThank you. Nice choice for your favorite!
Jenn
June 20, 2022 at 4:30 PMTranquility is too pretty, love the southwest colors. Great with the NYB pattern.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 21, 2022 at 7:21 AMIt’s a really pretty fabric line. Thanks.
Kathy R.
June 20, 2022 at 4:50 PMI am drawn to any shade of purple. So that would be Jewel Carvings, Nightshade, and Savannah. All of fabric is beautiful and would be great to use in a quilt. Your quilt turned our great. I like the idea of decorating baseball caps with small blocks.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 21, 2022 at 7:22 AMThose are all pretty collections. I love purples as well!
Lori Morton
June 20, 2022 at 6:25 PMIt.s sooooooo hard to choose just one!!! But do love tranquility line & Winter Sky 🙂 Would use either for a surprise for Daughter.. lol Thank you for chance to win your give-a-way 😀
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 21, 2022 at 7:23 AMI agree! I can never choose just one favorite.
Nancy Angerer
June 20, 2022 at 6:29 PMI like the 2 shade green that reads as a solid.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 21, 2022 at 7:24 AMThat green is so pretty and there are a number of different ones in the line.
Nancy
June 20, 2022 at 7:32 PMI really like the green with the expanding circles. Looks like water! It would be interesting to see that fabric in blue too.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 21, 2022 at 7:24 AMThat is a pretty one too. The same design is also in a pale apricot color.
Diantha Howard
June 20, 2022 at 8:26 PMIt’s hard to choose a favorite. I think I like the one on the bottom left of your “fabrics laid out” image best. They do remind me of the desert too!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 21, 2022 at 7:25 AMAgreed, it’s too hard to choose. Thanks for stopping by!
Christi
June 20, 2022 at 9:43 PMHonestly I am not a brown person so I would go for the beiges and “greens”.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 21, 2022 at 7:20 AMThere are so many to choose from. I couldn’t decide either! Thanks for stopping by!
Brenda @ Songbird Designs
June 20, 2022 at 10:40 PMI absolutely love this quilt even though browns aren’t in my wheelhouse. All the other fabrics, really make the brown shine! Fantastic job and great photo shoot location, Claudia!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 21, 2022 at 7:20 AMThanks Brenda – I don’t often use browns either, but love these earthy tones so much.
Teri
June 20, 2022 at 11:09 PMI love the light aqua ripples fabric. All the colors are gorgeous and your project really shows them off.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 21, 2022 at 7:19 AMThank you. I like that fabric a lot too.
Janet Nancy
June 21, 2022 at 12:13 AMI like the light aqua swirls best. Beautiful collection!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 21, 2022 at 7:19 AMThat is a beautiful one!
Jennifer Thomas
June 21, 2022 at 8:08 AMI love your quilt! Plus I didn’t realize how lovely this fabric collection is until I saw how you used it. Have a great day!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 22, 2022 at 6:40 AMThanks Jennifer. It is a really pretty collection. Have a great day too!
Cecilia
June 21, 2022 at 8:52 AMBeautiful quilt! All of the fabrics are gorgeous, but I love the light green the best!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 22, 2022 at 6:41 AMThank you! Those greens are all so pretty!
Dawn F.
June 21, 2022 at 1:00 PMI like the fabric that is pink with white swirls in it.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 22, 2022 at 6:41 AMOh that is a nice fabric. thanks for stopping by!
Allison Church Bird
June 21, 2022 at 1:29 PMLovely quilt – nice design!! Love the baseball cap idea!. I like the Nightshade colors but they are all beautiful.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 22, 2022 at 6:41 AMThank you so much. I appreciate it.
lee
June 21, 2022 at 3:43 PMStunning quilt design and quilting! I am in awe! I think the entire line is beautiful – I am loving the greens – the raindrops are so pretty!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 22, 2022 at 6:42 AMThank you so much. I appreciate it!
Catherine H
June 21, 2022 at 5:21 PMLove the quilts, especially the hat idea. The idea had never crossed my mind, I will have to see the instructions my granddaughter, Willa probably would like a hat that is decorated just for her.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 22, 2022 at 6:42 AMI do hope you give the cap a try. It’s a lot of fun and really unique!
Deborah Browning
June 21, 2022 at 6:44 PMYour quilt is gorgeous! I would be so afraid of all those points. The colors look so beautiful together. I like the teals and greens.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 22, 2022 at 6:43 AMThank you. That pattern that I used really made a difference.
Maryellen McAuliffe
June 21, 2022 at 7:13 PMThis is so pretty. I love the deeper wine/mauve fabrics in this collection. You did a great job with the design. It’s lovely.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 22, 2022 at 6:43 AMThanks Maryellen. I appreciate and those colors are so pretty!
Barb Kaup
June 21, 2022 at 8:13 PMI like all the colors, but think the teal really compliments the burgundy tones!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 22, 2022 at 6:43 AMThat is a lovely combo. Thanks for stopping by!
Debbie
June 21, 2022 at 10:46 PMThanks for the description of the process of your quilt. It reassures me that this is normal. I dearly love the colors you utilized in the quilt. It would also match my decor although I don’t have the cactuses in my area nor the gorgeous rusted steel bridge where you displayed them.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 22, 2022 at 6:44 AMGlad you liked the quilt and thanks for stopping by!
Susan
June 22, 2022 at 11:29 AMI like the first one the best, and each succeeding one from front to back are next in line.
Theresa Norris
June 24, 2022 at 5:56 PMLove this line Nightshade.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 25, 2022 at 6:36 AMOh that is a pretty collection!
Pam
June 25, 2022 at 12:25 AMYour quilt is gorgeous! And I love the name. Yes, it does have a deco vibe! And the hat is so much fun – a very creative use of the block. It.’s hard to pick a favorite from the collection. All the fabric is gorgeous. But I think the two blues are my favorites. Thanks for sharing the story of this quilt and thanks for offering this beautiful giveaway!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 25, 2022 at 6:35 AMThanks so much for stopping by!
Tanya Guthrie
June 26, 2022 at 12:01 PMI’m going to be one of those people who say I can’t pick one. I do know it’s between Tranquility and Woodcut Blossoms for the top spot though. All of them are gorgeous and your quilt is lovely!
laura mitchell
June 27, 2022 at 9:46 AMI love them all!