Meet the Cross River Gorilla, an Endangered Species challenge quilt made with Island Batik Fabric and Aurifil Thread.
Note: Items used to make this project were generously supplied by Island Batik, Aurifil Thread, Hobbs Batting, and Schmetz Needles.
1. Sadly, they are critically endangered. There are only 200-300 left in the wild. They are mainly victims of poaching and habitat encroachment.
2. They live in Cameroon in highland rain forests in family groups.
3. They average 5 feet tall and weight between 220 and 440 pounds.
I spent a lot of time thinking about how to make this quilt. I drew different sketches of gorillas. I studied the colors in the photo (Aurifil thread's photo) above. I pinned them up on my design wall and contemplated what to do. I'm sure I spent more time thinking about it than actually making it.
I eventually used a fusible applique approach. I used fabrics from Island Batik's Fancy Feathers by Kathy Engle collection, plus green and brown fabrics from basics and blenders.
I fussy cut this piece for the ear. I love how it really looks like an ear. So cool.
I zigzag stitched around the edges of each patch using the three purple threads.
Next, I stitched some details on the face, like the smile and lines between and under the eyes.
Then I dove in and thread painted the gorilla's fur, beginning with the light thread going around the face, and the detail line across the upper part of the head.
I continued thread painting "fur" using all three of the shades of purple Aurifil thread. It was a lot of fun. Once I began, I couldn't stop until the entire composition was complete.
I used a brown shade of Aurifil thread to quilt the tree. I used Hobbs Fusible Batting and Schmetz needles. It was fun to quilt the knots into the tree.
I used a green Aurifil thread to quilt a leafy pattern over the green part of the background.
Cross River Gorilla
Quilt Stats:
Finished Quilt Size: 22" x 21"
Fabric: Fancy Feathers by Kathy Engle, Basics, and Blenders, Island Batik
Batting: Hobbs Fusible
Thread: Cross River Gorilla Color Builders, by Aurifil
Have you seen the Endangered Species quilts made by the other Island Batik Ambassadors? So much creativity! Visit all the Ambassadors blogs here:
Megan Best ~
Bestquilter
Pamela Boatright ~
Pamelaquilts
Elizabeth DeCroos ~
Epida Studio
Jennifer Eubank ~ Archipelago Quilting
Jennifer Fulton ~
The Inquiring Quilter
Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts
Joanne Hart ~
Unicorn Harts
Mania Hatziioannidi ~
Mania for quilts
Jane Hauprich - Stitch By Stitch Custom Quilting
Connie Kauffman
~ Kauffman DesignsEmily Leachman ~
The Darling Dogwood
Denise Looney ~
For The Love Of Geese
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Sally Manke ~
Sally Manke, Fiber Artist
Maryellen McAuliffe ~
Mary Mack Made Mine
Claudia Porter ~
Create with Claudia
Gail Renna ~
Quilt Haven Threads
Brianna Roberts ~
Sew Cute And Quirky
Michelle Roberts ~
Creative Blonde
Gail Sheppard ~
Quilting Gail
Andi Stanfield ~
True Blue Quilts
Jennifer Thomas ~
CurliCue Creations
Suzy Webster
~ WebsterQuiltJanet Yamamoto ~
Whispers of Yore
Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.
Jennifer Thomas
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