Island Batik - Celebration Challenge

Through December, Island Batik ambassadors were challenged to choose a holiday that they love and then create a project of any kind to celebrate. Being my favourite time of year, I chose to make a Christmas project.

It's hot here at Christmas time, so a festive quilt is not even a thought. We've already had days over 35ºC this summer and it's only just begun. I decided to make a table runner - something festive that will adorn a coffee or side table. We've just been away on a cruise (to NZ) and they ship was decorated for Christmas through our voyage. They must have received a huge delivery of poinsettia's in Sydney on our boarding day as pots of poinsettia's began to appear around the public areas of the ship.

Poinsettia's were my inspiration. I chose a couple of different red print fabrics and created large flowers, positioned and machine appliqued at either end of the table runner. I left the centre part of the runner empty as it's the space where I'll place a decoration.

Before appliqueing the flowers, I sandwiched and quilted the runner using Aurifil 50wt thread in cream. I then used Aurifil green, red and gold threads to applique the various flower components.

Thanks to Island Batik for supplying all of the wonderful fabrics to create this project. Visit all of our other Island Batik ambassadors to see which celebrations they chose and what projects they created.