I was excited when I was asked to be part of the blog hop for Lu Summer’ new book Quilt Improv. It’s a delightfully colorful and playful book that focuses on Improvisational piecing of all types. And it’s extra fun to offer a copy of Lu’s Book to one lucky winner.
I’m not going to lie…Improv piecing is difficult for me. I know, I know…it should be easier because there is no stress about matching points. It is freeing. But for a type A personality like me, I find myself a bit at sea sometimes. So a book like this is a perfect guiding point for me. It is full of plenty of eye candy and ideas.
So I decided to tackle a project inspired by one of Lu’s Quilts, Farm Building.
I was really drawn to the use of mixed solids improv pieced in particular. Lu has a helpful sketch too that was a good jumping point for me to design my own quilt.
I started with purples…all solids (I set my beloved prints aside) and worked with tiny strips of fabric cut with very slight angles.
I am probably the most rigid improv quilter out there, so I couldn’t let go of all control and just throw together the fabrics. I wanted balance with lights and darks, and that takes some thought for me.
Then I moved onto oranges…
and then realized I had a beautiful Heather Bailey fabric that tied together my current colors and needed some more.
So then greens came in and lastly creams. I deviated from Lu’s design by only using heavily pieced sections and not dividing it up with solids. It was just a personal preference of mine and how I felt my piece had the most balance.
Quilting was a big decision for me, but with the help of pals on IG I got some ideas percolating. I ultimately decided on straight line improv quilting that was “perpendicular” to the piecing of each section. I quilted each section separately with a matching top thread.
I didn’t want to lose the detail and interest of the piecing, and I think that this quilting is true to the nature of the piecing. Although admittedly once again, I was pretty planned in my “improv” quilting. Hey, you can’t change overnight!
I bound it in the perfectly matching random polka dot which I love for adding a new shape (circles) to the visual of the quilt while also keeping all the colors pulled together.
It’s a small quilt for me at around 36″ x 45″, but I didn’t want to overwhelm the piecing with too many sections. This way I can focus on each color and the subcolors. It will either be a wall hanging or a baby quilt. I haven’t decided where this one should end up. Suggestions?!
Such a great little quilt!! Thanks for a chance to win.
I like what you did! Not bad for improv scaring you 🙂
I love your choice of colours !
I love that you chose solid colors
well done. I'm improvising on a quilt back today as I didn't have anything suitable and I'm trying to use rather than buy.
I too struggle with the idea of improv quilting. I am a mathematician at heart and love symmetry. I have trouble getting out of my symmetrical world into an asymmetrical one. Improv would be a giant leap. But one cannot grow without trying new things.
I love your small quilt
I have always be afraid of improv but, the pix from this book make me want to try
your quilt is awesome. I have trouble with improv quilts also. need to step out of the box
I am really liking imporve quilting and modern quilting no rules, and since I send out my quilts for quilting, using the technicques of improve and modern will allow me to quilt my own. Great job even it you were in control. I love it.
I struggle with random, so I think I will struggle with improv, but I'd like to give it a go.
I too find improv hard – but I shall keep trying!
Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Lu's fabulous book!
This book sounds like a dream for me, I'm rubbish at trying to improvise or make stuff up for myself, I'm a pattern or nothing girl. This book could be my saviour!
I love the look but it scares the beejeebers out of me!
You've done an amazing job and I think what you did was what Lu intended, rather than following her pattern, you made it your own! I think improv piecing probably takes some practice, I'm quite a planner too!
What a fun quilt! Improv is hard for me also. I like everything planned out ahead of time.
Congratulations on your controlled improv work!! (You sound like me…I really, really want to go free-style but how much risk can a girl take?) It is perfect that you found the backing material. Really a great finish!
My only improv experience is wonky log cabins. I love those and would like to try some other things. Would love to win the book for inspiration and guidance. Thanks for the chance! Love your quilt, all solids was a good choice.
Cute quilt. I think you should use it as a wall hanging.
I love your quilt, especially the quilting! Very beautiful!
I like what you did with the quilt. The quilting goes so well with the improv.
I think this quilt is very cool, and I immediately see so many variations you could do on it! The same style could be used with a monochromatic color scheme on a large quilt and be stunning, I think. Maybe it's something I'll have to try out. Thanks for the chance to win. Oh, and I think a baby quilt — the vibrant colors would be great for a special little one.
When I read your first words, I felt like you were talking about me:) I haven't tried improv quilts so far. The ones that look like improv were actually planned:)
I love this. I haven't done improv before and totally seeing my anxiety getting out of control if I tried :-/
I'm very new to the improv world, so I love seeing the work of others! Thanks for the giveaway of this wonderful book.
This is so adorable…would make a great baby quilt! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Wow, love the colors. And I haven't done any improv quilting it actually sort of scares me, so it would be nice to have a starting point and ideas in a book. Thanks for the chance to win.
I need to get more improv in my life! Thanks for a chance to win Lu's book!
What a fun, fresh, and modern quilt!! Love it! Vintage backing was a pretty choice!
Beautiful quilt! I would love this book!
I resemble your type A personality comment, big time. I need help letting go and letting the fabric take charge.
The quilt looks so fun to make!:)
Such an awesome quilt!
Love your quilts! I know a book is truly inspirational when the reviewer actually uses it to make something!
Love your improv quilt! Thanks for giving me a chance to win the book.
Very pretty. The binding is such a nice touch, and the quilting was a great decision, I think!
You did a great job, Angela! I love it.
Love the quilt you made! When I am babysitting the cutest little 3year old, she is always playing with my scraps, and putting them up on my small design boards. Last time we pieced them together- improvised piecing! We both loved the outcome, a small pillow for her doll. 🙂
I just made an improv quilt and my husband looked at it and said "yup, you're an engineer". All of it was right angles, and every non matching seam is at least 1" from another seam. Someday I might learn…
Oooh, love the colours in this!
What a thoughtful post for the improv challenged among us.
would love to try it. thanks for the chance
I have done one improve quilt (log cabin style) and it was liberating. Its fun just to piece with no rules.
nice little piece of work!
So lovely and such happy colours!! Lu is a such an inspiration 🙂
I love what you made! I am very much the same as you I like a little planning with my improv. Thanks for the giveaway!
I've never made an improv quilt–I guess I'm just not an improv sort of person. But, I really want to be. I like your idea of easing in to it. That strategy might work for me as well. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book.
I've been admiring this on Instagram. Love it!
Nicely done!! I too struggle with improv and just going with it. You really found a nice balance to make it work for you.
I find improv piecing intimidating too. I'm out of my comfort zone without a plan. I feel ya, sister! thriftstorecrafter@yahoo.com
Very nice, Improv quilts are so fun and unique!