The next challenge

Working in a quilt store that carries an incredible selection of batiks, I have come to really appreciate their beauty, although I have never used more than a piece here or there in one of my scrappy quilts.

Last April when I visited Sister's Choice Nicole and she took me on my own private California Shop Hop, one of our destinations was Back Porch Fabrics in Pacific Grove, well known for their batiks.  We'd studied Laurie Shifrin's two batik books - Batik Beauties and Batiks and Beyond (sadly, both out of print) - for inspiration before leaving, and embarked on a breathtaking scenic drive to the quilt store.

Nicole had the beginnings of a collection she won from our retreat fat quarter game of Left-Center-Right.  I decided to let the quilt store inspire me as far as color selection, and I found a gorgeous collection of oranges and pinks, shown in my first photo.

My pattern choice is this one - Mystique of Bali - from Batik Beauties.  The book, as I mentioned, is out of print, but I discovered you can purchase a downloadable copy from Martingale & Company's website (just follow this link).  See the raspberry stripe at the top of my first photo?  Perfect for the border!  And the orange with pink 'watermelon seeds' fabric just below that will serve as the background.

Nicole threw down the challenge glove and we're both going to be making a batik quilt using the fabrics we bought in April.  Check her blog to see what pattern and fabrics she is going to use.  I can't wait to get started on this quilt!

For additional batik inspiration, Laurie Shifrin has a new book coming out later this month called Batik Gems.  She lives in the Seattle area and teaches at a shop in Ballard (and she has come in to our shop to buy batiks as well - she is so nice!)  Samples of some quilts from her new book are on display at The Quilting Loft and I must say, that her new book will definitely be added to my book collection!