The Witchy Stitchy Blog Hop

I would like to take the time to thank CAROL  for being the host of this BOOtacular hop.  I am not a Halloween person and this made for a challenge.  I had some help from a guild member (HI, Emily) who is a Chiroptologist - a person who studies bats.  She makes wonderful quilts with either bat print fabric or bats pieced.  One of her pieces led me to an 'aha' moment.

All year I have been playing with block 'units' that are quick to make and can be flipped around to create designs by themselves.  This 'wing' unit can be found in many large quilt blocks - like the Swoon and Carpenter's Wheel.  I just thought it looked like an easy Bat.

Background:  one 2.5" x 4.5" rectangle and four 2.5" squares

'bat':  two 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles and one 2.5" square

Sew one background and one 'bat' 2.5" square together - press to dark.  Using the corner flip method, attach a 2.5" background to each of the 'bat' rectangles - press to dark.  Make sure your 'flips' are the opposite.  Save your cut offs for tiny HSTs or toss.  SURPRISE - I tossed them.

  

Sew the twosie to the background rectangle - press to rectangle.  Stitch the 'lefty' bat rectangle to the left side - press toward the twosie unit.  Add the 2.5" sq. background to the 'right' bat rectangle (press to background) and attach to the bottom - press toward the twosie unit.  

Being a scrap quilter, my bats are scrappy from grey to various blacks.  Set 8 x 8 blocks (6" finished blocks) for a 48" center.  I added two borders -yes, two  (I hate borders).  The first is a dark green vine print, cornerstones are a black with green vine print, and outer border of the background.  Binding is the dark green vine.  56" square finish.

Emily is making one in another setting and when she has a flimsy, I will share.

I wanted the quilting to represent the Sonic Echo System that  bats use for navigation.  A different 'wave' radiating out from each corner with overlapping.

It took a bit of time to quilt, but it added to the character of the quilt.  My challenge was met.  There can be such fun and delight when working outside your comfort box.

AND I scoured high and low thru my fabrics for a backing with nothing that suited this quilt.  Then I did some laundy - not that it helps to think better.  BUT, I had this green plaid sheet!  So it became the back of the batty quilt.

Did I mention a give away?  I have another Storage Station for one lucky person.  I love how the bobbin donut can be used with the magnetic pinkeep or removed.  There is a hidden pull drawer in the pinkeep.  I love to use the fine glass head pins, so a package of those.  Just be sure I can contact you - winner pulled on the 10th.

Be sure to visit all of today's participants:

Selina Quilts

Days Filled With Joy

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Life in the Scrapatch

Just Because Quilts

Brenda's Quilt Blog

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon