With these tips, you'll be able to create beautiful projects with your slow stitching. Ways to plan before you begin an improv quilt or stitched piece and ideas for how to fix a project you don’t love (which can happen in our work at times and becomes a 'learning' for the next piece).
EXPLORE IMPROV PIECING & LAYOUT DESIGN! The Bedrock pattern teaches you how to improv piece using a playful block with limitless color-play opportunities. The pattern uses a block based technique and explores how to manage bias edges, piecing successful improv with angles & designing your own layout. Quilt Size: Cover Quilt is 60" x 60", easy to change size. ON-DEMAND VIDEO COURSE You can't put everything in a written pattern! Choose the Pattern with Video Course option to get access to 3 easy-to-follow video lessons where Tara sews through each step of the pattern. Video courses are on-demand lessons hosted on Thinkific and content never expires. Watch the videos as often as you like or whenever you need a refresher. Leave comments in the platform to get help if you get stuck on a step in the pattern. Video courses are only available when purchased with the pattern. ABOUT THIS PATTERN Skill Level: Confident beginners and above Technique: Improvisational Piecing Collection: Color Collective Season 2 includes original color palette Instant Download: After you purchase you will receive an email with a link to download your files. If you do not see this email, please check your spam folder. Closed Captions: On-demand video lessons contain closed captions.
It's reveal week of the 30 Days of Improv QAL and today you're focusing on modern improv play the final composition.
Abstraction, connection and flow are three keys at the heart of developing a restorative improv quilting practice. How do these keys interact and why is it important to develop them?
This is a digital quilt pattern.The quilt is inspired by pojagi - ancient Korean patchwork, but is made with normal quilting techniques.Each block is constructed individually, and no two blocks are alike. But don't worry if you struggle with improv piecing. With this "controlled improv" construction method you use the same pieces and structure. Choices are simple and you can't go wrong.This is a great pattern if you like the look of improv piecing, but you struggle to get started from just a pile of fabric.Options are given for three different sizes of quilt. The large size is 67" x 82", medium is 52" x 67" and small is 37" x 52".
Improv quilting is a fun and often overwhelming method to piece a quilt. I spent 100 days exploring improv quilting and want to encourage you to explore too! My History Looking around at my quilts and projects I’ve designed and made, I tend to be a very orderly quilter. I love the sequence and symmetry […]
Sidewalk Chalk Pattern by Meghan of Then Came June. The Sidewalk Chalk Quilt Pattern is an improv inspired pattern without actually doing improv piecing. It is an easy to construct pattern that looks random while still maintaining a uniform look. A great beginner pattern for someone who wants a fast finish while learning a more complicated block, the half rectangle triangle. The pattern can easily be made in a weekend! This pattern requires beginner quilting knowledge. The pattern assumes quilter has knowledge of basic piecing and can use consistent 1/4" seam allowances. The pattern requires yardage. **This is a downloadable PDF, being instantly delivered to your email after your purchase is complete. Your download will only be available to download a limited amount of times. Please remember to save on the computer instead of opening on your phone. Feel free to print out as 8.5" x 11". Pattern is for one person use only. Do not copy, redistribute or sell. You may sell quilts made using this pattern on a small independent scale. Please credit the quilt pattern to Then Came June. Last quilt and photo by Evie Jespersen of @evquilts. Her quilt is a great example of making it slightly scrappy.
Want to see what I whipped up on a sunny Saturday morning? I’ll give you a hint – it’s cute as a button and has lots of texture.
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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…
It's Week 4 of the 30 Days of Improv Quilt Along and this week you're diving into curves! Don't fear the curve!
Learn everything you'd like to know about getting started with improv quilting with our comprehensive guide.
Improv quilting. The modern scrap quilt?
When I blogged about my scrappy improv blocks, I had several people mention that they were afraid to try it with their own scraps, since there really isn't a true plan for sewing. It does take some time to get used to sewing with reckless abandon in an improv style, but I thought that a few guidelines might help some of you take the plunge. Once you get the hang of it, this method of sewing is so much fun, and it's a great way to use whatever fabric you happen to have. The first thing you need to decide is how big you want your blocks to be. I use a 12.5 inch square ruler, and I find it makes things much easier. If you would rather use a regular quilting ruler, that's fine too! Get all of your fabric ready and divided in whatever way works for you. I have my scrap baskets divided into cool, warm, and neutrals. I also don't distinguish between scraps and strings. They all go in together, and you'll love using both with improv piecing. Start by sewing two pieces of fabric together. It's helpful if the sides you're sewing are similar in length, but not necessary. When you're finished sewing, just take your scissors and trim the excess. Add another piece to any side you choose. I always try not to sew around the first piece in a regular way, so that it doesn't end up looking too much like a log cabin block. If you don't come across a piece that is long enough to cover the side, or if you just want some variety, piece a couple of scraps together to make them long enough. As your sides get longer, you will have to piece smaller scraps to get enough length. Try to avoid sewing too many long strips on the sides or your block might end up looking like a log cabin instead of an improv block. I don't press my block until the end when I'm sewing like this, but you can if you choose. Continue adding to your sides until you have a block that is about 3-4 inches bigger than your square template. I know you're wondering why you are making blocks that are too big, but just trust me. The part that will make your blocks really special is coming up. Give your block a press and take it to your cutting mat. Line up your template along one edge of your block. Check our those extra side strips! Cut them off with care and don't throw them away. You'll need them later! I know when I look at quilts that are improv pieced I'm always impressed by the tiny little strips and fabric bits that seem so perfectly placed within the blocks. Well, you can get those neat little pieces without actually sewing teeny tiny pieces. We're going to use those fabulous little trimmed strips in your next blocks! One or two of those strips can really add a lot of interest to a block full of bigger pieces. If you really get on a roll, you can always make a really big improv block and cut several blocks from it! This also gives you the freedom to use pieces that are a little bigger, because there is a good chance that they will get cut when you cut your blocks out. You can do improv piecing with a planned color palette as well! If you choose to use scraps though, just remember that the beauty of a scrap quilt isn't fully realized until all of the blocks are together. In my opinion, that's when scrap quilts really show their wow factor! I really encourage you to try some improv piecing. Once you get the hang of it, it's a lot of fun, and I think it's really great for getting your creativity and sewjo going! Editied 8/25 to add- Here's a picture of the finished quilt, just in case you're wondering how it looks when the blocks are all put together! You can check out the post with more pics of the finished quilt HERE!
Cindy Grisdela started playing with fabric when her children started school and started her business improv quilting, teaching and author.
It's been a year since the Crosscut Quilt-Along, and high time to host another. Oh and yeah, I've been getting some prodding about that...
Gwen Marston was the deciding factor for me attending QuiltCon this year. I've read her books for years and love her work. I decided that if I got into her class, I would go. And I did. Well, my husband is the real hero of this story. See, I had a meeting at the time that registration for workshops opened for QuiltCon last year so I wasn't going to be able to register myself. My husband was going to be home that day though so I sat him down the night before, made him watch the "How to register for QuiltCon" video that the Modern Quilt Guild released and gave him my wish list of classes. We went over what order to try registering. Yes, I even had plan B and Cs for him, but I threw out plans D, E and F (you're welcome, honey). My top choices were classes with Gwen Marston and Melissa Averinos. He was such a good sport about it; mostly he found it so bizarre and amusing. I think. The next morning as I left for work, I told him, "there's no pressure and I'll be happy with whatever options you can get for me." I don't think he really believed me. At 10:07, he sent me a text that I got my top choices. Eeeek! It took all of my self-control not to jump up and down at work when I got that text, but there may have been an impassioned "yes" accompanied by a fist pump. I am a professional, you know. ;) So now I was going to QuiltCon and I was going to take classes with Gwen and Melissa. Woo hoo! I'll do another post for the class with Melissa, but today, I'll share some photos about the class with Gwen Marston. It did not disappoint! Gwen's small studies: One of my favourites of Gwen's small studies: Another favourite: Gwen demonstrating some of the techniques she taught us: Trying to get out of my comfort zone with this colour palette: A little better: Some progress on the different units: Cute, eh? Playing with placement: Starting to come together: Gwen and me! Eeek! Some of my classmates work -- I can't remember who did what, but aren't they fabulous? Loved seeing the variety of work. If you ever get a chance to take a class with Gwen Marston, take it. You will not regret it!
An easy improv round log cabin block
This is how I made a modern scrap quilt without a pattern. This is a quick controlled improv style quilt you can make in less than a week!
This easy introduction to improv quilting with precuts is a modern approach to quilting that will quickly invigorate your quilting enthusiasm.
Enjoy 15 of some of my favorite modern quilts from QuiltCon 2018 in Pasadena, California. All descriptions were written by the makers. Do you have a favorite quilt you s
Met the man behind the improv quilting movement, Nicholas Ball. Discover his beautiful quilts, techniques and tips on finding inspiration.
23"x24" BeeSewcial November 2017 When I read the description for November's #BeeSewcial block : Maximalism, fun, happy, all color, no rules, no rulers proposed by Leanne @shecanquilt let's just say I was thrilled. "Time to laugh and play" how cool is that for prompt?! building parts My scrap basket was a perfect place to pull shapes that were already partially cut into bits of inspiration as a starting point. I also dipped into my fat quarter stash to find the right color and larger pieces when needed. It was a weekend of scissors, freehand rotary and stitching with no pins. Definitely my kind of fun. composing with "chunks" I've worked this method enough to know not to get too attached to what I see mid-way on the design board. Things change and evolve as I sew parts together and I try to remind myself of that. Although it may look random, in the moment, when I'm in the zone, there are a ton of composition decisions being made. The photo above shows the the left and right quadrant on the design wall separated and the photo below showed them overlapped and pinned in place. With gentle curves I can get away with no pins which I prefer to help keep the momentum going but there are steps near the end where pinning in place to position the key visual "connections" is helpful. rare pinning in place before the glue Excess is left until after I've sewn the joint as seen below in this underside process shot. The split egg shape has become a favorite thing to include and something I'd like to explore in a series. underside before trimmed Here's a link to see the blocks Leanne has received from my other mates HERE. There is something so satisfying when they are all together and also a huge relief to see proof that it didn't get lost in the mail. Split Egg - a Future Series Maximalist Circles for Leanne November 2016 Waves Depth Flow block for Felicity March 2017 Block for Di 2015 One of my fist BeeSewcial blocks and a design that I'd love to super size into a quilt is this one for Di. I think that subconsciously it sparked the "Reflections" theme that I chose when it was my turn back in 2015.
Hello group, This month I'm asking for trees to go through a woodland quilt, specifically Aspen so I hope you still have some black and white. This is my inspiration photo but I'm going for more of a fall theme so I'll be laying the trunks out over some fabrics from the Through the Woods line rather than a green background. I'm asking that you send Aspen branches/trunks anywhere from 10-15" long and 2-5" wide. (I have a layer cake of the background so they'll be spanning 10" blocks) Fabrics needed: Selection of whites (solids, blenders, white on white, white with gray, white with black) Selection of blacks/black and whites. Please stay away from things with writing or novelty characters if possible. Here's an example of some stuff I pulled. These trees are essentially crumb quilts so little scraps work great! If your black and white have little pops of color in them that's fine but please try to keep it to the autumn forest theme (aka no hot pink). I'll be using this autumn leaf fabric on the back as another reference for the fall tones. How To: There's a great tutorial on improv trees here from 3rd Story Workshop My technique was pretty straightforward. I cut smaller rectangles/triangles of black and sewed them to white pieces. Then joined those together into strips. Sometimes the darker segments go all the way across the "tree" sometime's I added sections of white on one or both sides. I kept it really free-form, essentially just doing crumb quilting until my strips were 10-15" long. You can see I kept them heavier on white to mimic the Aspen trunks. Here is a mini layout with a few chunkier trunks laid out against the background fabrics. Some more inspiration pics of different quilted tree trunks. And some inspiration pictures of pretty trees
Improv quilting is a fun and often overwhelming method to piece a quilt. I spent 100 days exploring improv quilting and want to encourage you to explore too! My History Looking around at my quilts and projects I’ve designed and made, I tend to be a very orderly quilter. I love the sequence and symmetry […]
Are you ready to make the easiest quilt ever? If so, read on to see how I made this easy quilt with no measuring or pattern required!
