Susan J Lapham works improvisationally creating intricate quilts that are inspired by her experiences and family.
I made this improv quilt in 2012. Here’s how I made it: How to make the blocks improv / free form quilt block number 1 improv / free form quilt block number 2 improv / free form quilt block n…
Lately I've been low-key obsessed with improv quilting. In the simplest of explanations, improv quilting is piecing together a quilt top without a pattern. After that, it gets more complicated with lots of conflicting opinions. Some people say it's quilting without a plan. Other people are okay with a plan, but insist on no ruler. Other people say, use a ruler, but you have to choose your fabric 100% randomly. Like any art form, there are rules and rule breakers. But I don't think the quilt police are coming for any of us. To me, improv quilting is like painting...
I have been practicing and enjoying improv quilting for many years. I was recently asked to present my approach to an improv quilt. So, here is my best
Improv quilting. The modern scrap quilt?
My improv pieced curve quilt is finished. In my bid to practice sewing pieced curves, I got out a bunch of 5" squares that I had left over from a previous project and took to them with my rotary cutter. It was a little scary at the beginning, but I'm so glad that I made it... and finished it. I learned a lot about curved piecing along the way - the right ways of doing it, and the wrong. After watching a bunch of YouTube videos, it seems that I sewed my curves together the 'wrong' way. I had the concave and convex curves in the opposite order when I made these blocks, but hey, they worked just fine. I finished off my quilt with a cute backing fabric print and spiral quilting. I even added a hanging sleeve to the back, but just need some dowel from the hardware store. I'm counting this as my OMG finish for February 2020. Yay!!
an improv stripes quilt
For March, Emily asked us to make improv Sawtooth Stars and to set them within our choice of improv pieces to make blocks approximately 8" x 16". And she asked us to use some pink. The first thing I did was to sew an improv Sawtooth Star (my favorite traditional block). I couldn't decide on ...continue reading →
stack improv curves tutorial
Over The Limit II I managed Three finishes for June. The first one was the Scrappy Trip Around the World I posted already. The Over The Limit series is something I have tried in two colorways so far. I actually decided to quilt the second one in the series first because I liked the bright vibrant colorway of the orange and blue. The quilting looks very simple and straightforward but it took forever. There were many stops and starts and Five thread color changes. Since I bury all my thread tails that made for lots of knotting and pulling those thread tails under the layers. Over The Limit II (closeup) The next quilt is called Energy. It was the first thing that I stared in the past four years. I made it for a challenge for the About.com Arizona Quilt Retreat in Phoenix. The rules were very simple. The shapes had to be 2" by 2" or 4" or 6" or 8". I had been looking at lots of improv quilts on Pinterest and found a few inspiration pieces. I loved the bright orange and deep blue colorway. I began by cutting the blue pieces. I pulled out fabrics and just cut the sizes above. Then I cut a series of orange and began laying things out till I liked the way it looked. Energy Energy (closeup) The quilting on Energy was really fun. I quilted lines across the blue. They are not spaced evenly........consistantly inconsistant. Some are only 1/8" apart. Then I did a swirling spike like little suns in the orange. I really love how this one came out.
Leslie Jenison
Not all quilting borders are outdated! Get inspired by these modern quilt order ideas and use the quilt border designs for your next project!
blogged www.teaginnydesigns.blogspot.com/2014/08/scrappy-improv-s...
I’m so excited to be featured in Curated Quilts! I’ve been lucky enough to have had a couple mini quilts featured in Curated Quilts, but this issue I have a pattern in the magazine! I m…
This modern quilt is a great beginner improv project.
My improv piecing comes with a plan, and often a set of rules that I'm following for construction. As I work, I choose whether to follow or break my rules. Today I'm sharing my process for creating improv triangles on the corners. Along the way, I'll point out times for you to make design decisions ...continue reading →
Master art quilter Cindy Grisdela constructs her log cabin blocks using an improvisational method and often incorporates non-standard materials.
this is the back to my square burst quilt. my husband loves crazy backs, so this is my attempt at making him happy. turns out i love it very much too. it features several of my treasured hand screen printed fabrics from abroad.
Inspi(RED) is my quilt for the early 2019 RED challenge and it is finally finished. There's a complete post for this one on my blog with more photos and links to the project's back story. Come on over and visit! Quiltdivajulie
2ndavenuestudio.blogspot.com/2012/06/splat-qult.html
I can’t tell you how much fun it is to watch your Facets progress. So many people are sharing their progress on Instagram and in my Facebook group. It makes me giddy!! If you are just joining…
Learn everything you'd like to know about getting started with improv quilting with our comprehensive guide.
Martha Sielman is not only the amazing leader of SAQA, but she is also the editor of many amazing art quilt books. You can find a complete list here.This past winter, Martha’s latest book Art Quilt…
This graphic quilt is not your normal everyday quilt! It has a modern edge, unique design and a burst of color from top to bottom! 'GEOMETRY LESSON' My newest design features geometric shapes and a beautiful color palette. This quilt is packed full of shapes and lines as well as a pleasing color palette. I am fascinated with shapes and fitting them together. This quilt is a lesson in math that comes together in a modern and artistic way! The light gray background accentuates the colors of each shape. This quilt is machine quilted 1/2" and 1" lines to compliment the design and add even more interest! The binding is machine sewn to the front and hand stitched to the back ~ one of my favorite parts of the process! The geometric effect is gorgeous and makes for a stunning piece of art...or a quilt! APPROX SIZE: 46 1/2" x 60" Pre-washed and tumble dried to give it a soft crinkled look. ************ To see other baby blankets & quilts, click here: www.etsy.com/shop/TwiggyandOpal?section_id=10798092 To return to my shop, click here: http://twiggyandopal.etsy.com ************ Machine Washable. Do not bleach.
It was a Tuesday morning in early April that I first heard of the official The 100 Day Project. I was sipping my coffee and catching up on my IG feed when I noticed a post by Amanda from Gypsy Moon…
Two mini quilts made for Curated Quilts mini quilts challenge - Connections / Improv
10 free modern quilt patterns that are easy enough for a beginner to create their own quilt! Awesome inspiration and each pattern tutorial is easy to understand and to create the modern quilt of your dreams!
Blogged.
Making an improv log cabin quilt was a fun challenge. In my newest Island Batik challenge, I combined two themes to create an improv log cabin wall hanging–here’s the tutorial showing how I did it. Cozy Log Cabins is the first challenge theme that I used! Log cabins are a great traditional pattern and I […]
Rooftop Wonders by Amy Ellis for Curated Quilts pieced Bella Solids for Moda Fabrics. Rooftop Wonders is one of three new quilt patterns included in the pub
A thing that I’ve been working on during any free time (and then increasingly during not-free time) since October has finally come to fruition and I hope to be able to share details as soon as paperwo
As a Science teacher I love the idea of quilts with links to Maths and Science. This Mini quilt is based on the Fibonacci sequence. This was a fun project - I used scraps of solids and kept adding blocks until it felt like a decent size. I'm definitely a convert to spray basting after quilting this quilt. So much quicker when you don't have to remove safety pins and so many less wrinkles. I think this might be oft hang in my Science Lab for a while!
Browse our favorite minimalist modern quilt patterns and make a simple geometric quilt perfect for your modern aesthetic.
NEW UPDATED PATTERN WITH MORE BLOCK SIZES! This is a PDF, instant downloadable patterns. You will receive instructions, colored diagram, letter diagram, order of sewing the paper pieces together, and section diagram. The finished block sizes are 8 x 8, 10 x 10, 12 x 12, 15 x 15 and 20 x 20 inches. All seam allowances are 1/4inch, be sure to unclick "fit to page" when printing this pdf pattern. This is a large paper piecing, and can be used as a mini quilt, or a larger block in a quilt. Great for any animal, water, sand, beach, geometric, colorful, kids, children, zoo, sea or turtle themed quilt or table runner. You will need basic knowledge of how paper piecing is done, that is not included with this pattern. This is an intermediate pattern. Patterns are for standard letter size paper (8.5 x 11 inches) Follow me on IG: @QuiltNSew Want one free pattern a month? Join Patreon for as low as $5 a month, go to: www.patreon.com/pitchersboutique Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. [email protected]
Maryte tells about how she adds small fabric slivers to create interest and movement into her curved piecing project she calls Poppies quilt
