The Bat Block

A couple days ago, I was rummaging through my orange scraps thinking I'd make a little something seasonal, and found a #batblock! I pattern-tested the block for Louise @imfeelincrafty like 7 years ago. So I decided it was finally time I make it into something. Better late than never, right? 

The block being just 10.5" x 6.5", I decided to make a little wall hanging. I grabbed my stack of orange fabrics and was surprised that what I'd used in the bat block wasn't the traditional "pumpkin" orange. But I found some oranges that I liked - a mix of prints and solids, then found a few black prints to include. First, I made some improv four-patch blocks using the stacks method from Nicholas Ball's Inspiring Improv. Then I used a handful of scraps sprinkled among them to make several rows of patchwork. You may or may not be able to tell, but there's one row above the bat, and three rows below.

For quilting, I used Aurifil 50wt 2692 [Black] to quilt the bat, and that was SO fun! Then I used Aurifil 40wt 3920 [Golden Glow], a variegated thread, to quilt vertical lines below the bat and 'sky' curves above. The little hanging finished at 11" x 15", bound with a black stripe. Then I made a casing for the dowel and a hanger of black cording. Such a fun little project I didn't even have in my mind's eye two days ago!! BTW, if you love Louise's little bat block pattern as much as I do, you can find the pattern here.